Roadside station Katsura
A roadside station in Ibaraki — local food and souvenirs.
Overview
Roadside Station Katsura (Michi-no-Eki Katsura) is a roadside rest stop on National Route 123 in Shirosato Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture. Sitting right beside the clear Naka River, it is a popular stop where visitors can buy local specialties and farm produce while enjoying the peaceful riverside scenery. Also known as Kawa-no-Eki Seiryu-no-Sato Katsura, it is a distinctly Shirosato roadside station where a drive can pause to sample regional flavors and feel the breeze off the river.
Highlights
- ●A historic station, the first ever registered in Ibaraki Prefecture
- ●A peaceful setting right beside the clear Naka River
- ●A direct-sales spot lined with local specialties and farm produce
- ●Its role as Kawa-no-Eki Seiryu-no-Sato Katsura and a machi-no-eki
History
The station began in April 1992 as a specialty-products direct-sales center run by the former Katsura Village. The following year, in 1993, at the village's request, it was registered as the very first roadside station in Ibaraki Prefecture, making it a pioneer among the prefecture's michi-no-eki. It was later also designated a machi-no-eki (town station), serving as a hub of local exchange. Being the prefecture's first registered station is a point of real pride for the facility.
Access
The station is on National Route 123 in Shirosato Town, Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki Prefecture (roughly 36.54 N, 140.33 E). The clearest route is along Route 123 from the Mito direction, and most visitors come by car. The Naka River flows just alongside, with the Nakagawa Bridge to the north. Note that a relocation to a nearby site is under consideration for the future, so please confirm the latest opening details and location through official information before visiting.
Best season
Its charm is that you can feel the seasons together with the clear flow of the Naka River. It suits a drive in the bright fresh green of early summer or in seasons when the riverside air feels pleasant. In autumn, local farm produce fills the shelves alongside the season's harvest, making shopping at the direct-sales stand all the more enjoyable. Given the riverside setting, conditions can change with the weather, such as during high water, so checking the forecast before setting out is recommended.
Map
36.5449, 140.3331 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Stop at Roadside Station Katsura partway along a Route 123 drive
- 2Check out Shirosato specialties and farm produce at the direct-sales stand
- 3Enjoy the clear Naka River and the riverside scenery just alongside
- 4After a rest, set off toward Mito or a drive along the Naka River
Did you know?
💡 Roadside Station Katsura is known as the very first registered michi-no-eki in Ibaraki Prefecture. On the other hand, during the East Japan Typhoon of 2019 (Reiwa 1) it suffered flood damage when the nearby Naka River rose. In connection with a plan to rebuild the Nakagawa Bridge on Route 123 to the north, a relocation to a nearby site with enhanced facilities is being considered.
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