Roadside Station Jonnobi

Enveloped in the warmth of a mountain village – Soaking in a healing hot spring at the "Jon-no-bi no Sato Takayanagi" roadside station Near the mountains of Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, as you travel along a narrow prefectural road surrounded by lush greenery, a large wooden sign suddenly appears—that's "Jon-no-bi no Sato Takayanagi" roadside station. The name "Jon-no-bi" means "relaxed" or "leisurely" in the Niigata dialect. As the name suggests, this was truly a place where "time seemed to unravel." A quiet village station surrounded by mountains and rice paddies. Stepping out of the car, the crisp air and the scent of earth filled my lungs. Looking around, I saw a landscape of terraced rice paddies stretching as far as the eye could see. The clouds reflected on the water's surface swayed gently, as if softening even time itself. The building's design, utilizing the warmth of wood, has a Japanese style that evokes a sense of nostalgia. The facility houses a direct sales shop, a restaurant, and a hot spring, embodying the "life and relaxation" of the local people. "Rakuju no Yu" – A Gentle Hot Spring Surrounded by Nature Our purpose for this visit was, of course, the "Rakuju no Yu" hot spring. We removed our shoes at the entrance and purchased bathing tickets from the vending machine. The welcoming smiles of the locals, as if saying "Welcome back," were particularly memorable. Upon entering the bathhouse, we were greeted by a wooden ceiling and a stone bathtub. A faint scent of sulfur wafted through the steam, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The spring water is a sodium-calcium chloride spring. The slightly viscous water clung to our skin, warming us gently to the core. Outside the window, the green of the trees stretched out, and the mountain ridges could be seen through the rising steam. Stepping out into the open-air bath, a breeze caressed our cheeks, and we could hear the distant chirping of birds. Watching the leaves fall onto the surface of the water, I couldn't help but sigh. "Ah, this is truly 'Jon-nobi' (a term for a relaxing soak)." The bliss of a post-bath soak, a bite of local flavor After my bath, I took a break in the tatami-floored relaxation area. Feeling the breeze outside, I gulped down some cold milk. The coolness permeated my flushed body, and my mind felt lighter, as if I'd pressed a reset button. In the facility's restaurant, you can enjoy set meals and wild vegetable soba noodles made with locally grown Koshihikari rice. The "Jon-nobi Set Meal" is especially popular. Freshly cooked rice, wild vegetable tempura, a small side dish, and miso soup—all with a simple, comforting taste. It's not flashy, but I think this is exactly what a country feast should be. A place where locals and travelers meet More than a roadside station, this is a "small community." A local old man returning from the bath called out to me, "Did you come all the way here today?" The shopkeeper told me, "These pickles were made this morning." Just a few words of conversation warmed my travel memories. The shop was stocked with local homemade side dishes, wild vegetables, miso, rice, and souvenirs like "Jonobi Pudding." Everything had the "real" taste, an extension of the local way of life. Breathing with the sky in the open-air bath at dusk In the evening, I went back into the open-air bath. The setting sun painted the mountain ridges, and the surface of the water shimmered golden. In the distance, I could hear the sounds of insects; nearby, the sound of the water. Wind, steam, and light mingled, creating a silence as if time had stopped. As I immersed myself up to my shoulders in the bath, all the hustle and bustle of everyday life seemed to melt away. For this moment only, I can feel that I am "here and now," without thinking about anything. It's a blessing to encounter such moments during a journey. Basic Information Item Content Name Michi-no-Eki Jonnobi-no-Sato Takayanagi Location 10-1 Takao, Takayanagi-machi, Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture Hot Spring Name Rakuju-no-Yu (Sodium-Calcium Chloride Spring) Opening Hours 10:00-21:00 (Last entry 20:30) Closed Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (subject to change) Price Adults around 600 yen / Children around 300 yen Facilities Large public bath, open-air bath, sauna, restaurant, direct sales store, rest area, campsite Parking 80 regular cars / 10 large vehicles (free) At the end of the journey On the way back after the bath, the night breeze felt pleasant, so I stepped outside for a little while. Looking up at the sky, I saw a sky full of stars between the mountains. In this place with almost no artificial light, the stars seem to fall as if from the sky. "Jon-nobi"—I feel like I finally understand the meaning of this word now. It's a time to relax and become one with nature. It quietly helps you regain the "rhythm of life" that you had forgotten amidst the hustle and bustle. This is not just an ordinary roadside station. A resting place for mind and body—truly a "Jon-nobi Village." 🌿 Summary in one word "Roadside Station Jon-nobi Village Takayanagi" is a mountain village oasis where hot springs, hospitality, and nature come together in perfect harmony. A "Jon-nobi time" that warms your heart flows here.

Visited for the Hokuriku Roadside Station Stamp Rally. Niigata No. 29: Jonnobi no Sato Takayanagi This roadside station is essentially a hot spring facility/accommodation facility. I couldn't find the stamp location, "Jonnobi Yokocho," so I ended up entering the hot spring facility entrance. People were constantly coming and going, so I felt like I had to... but the sheer volume of traffic suggests it must be a fairly popular facility. "Jonnobi Yokocho," where the stamp is located, was located to the right of the main entrance. It seems like the entrance is separate, but you can enter the same area as the hot spring facility's merchandise. I bought some Honbi Manju and squid sashimi with kelp. I thought I could bring home plenty of Nagasado "nagamo" from here, but the squid sashimi with kelp I bought at another roadside station in Niigata was so delicious that I ended up leaving.

This roadside station is located a short distance from National Route 252 in the Takayanagi district (formerly Takayanagi Town) of Kashiwazaki City, heading toward Matsushiro Town. The station's name, "jonnobi," is a Niigata dialect word meaning "relaxed, leisurely, or chilled out." The spacious grounds include a children's experience facility, a farm-fresh produce store, and accommodation with a day spa. Due to scheduling constraints, I was unable to stay overnight, so I only enjoyed the hot springs. The hot spring water is brown, reminiscent of Tokachi's moor hot springs. It warmed me up just right during my soak. It was a truly "jonnobi" (relaxed) soak. The roadside station does not sell tickets. I plan to stay overnight next time.

I visited again after a long time. It's been over ten years since my last visit, back when my children were small. Come to think of it, I also remembered coming here on a university seminar trip. It's a place I feel a strong connection to. The hot springs are spacious, with a sauna and open-air bath, allowing for a truly relaxing soak. The water temperature is just right, leaving the skin feeling soft and moisturized—it seems to have a beautifying effect. For meals, you pay with a ticket system, and you can use cards or QR code payments. I had the Azuma pork miso soup and grilled rice balls. They were delicious!

While you can stay overnight, I prefer to use the hot springs for day trips after farm work in the spring and summer. The outdoor and indoor baths are rich and moisturizing. Rinse-in shampoo and body soap are also provided. There's also a sauna. The spacious rest area is great for relaxing. Meals and desserts are also available on-site. The local vegetables, manju, and other goods are sold until around 7pm, so you can buy some after your bath! There was also a summer festival and fireworks display, so there were lots of children there. It's great to have lots of kids there when the place gets lively!☺️