Kitakawabe Rice Park

Starting with the planetarium and the astronomical observation room, there are apparatuses for large images and trial study rooms along with a workshop making it a comprehensive learning facility marked with a unique appearance. It is established next to the restaurant, farmers' market, and the facility for processing Ukino Miso. In addition, the planetarium reopened on March 22nd of 2015 after renovating. With the latest monocular ultra-high resolution 8K compatible digital projector, starry skies and images of space are projected with reality and power that can evoke dreams and emotions in young and old alike.

The border of three prefectures straddles Tochigi Prefecture’s Tochigi City, Gunma Prefecture’s Itakura Town, Saitama Prefecture’s Kazo City (around the Kitakawabe region), and comes together at a rice field approximately 500 meters to the southeast of Roadside Station Kitakawabe. The border of the three prefectures was located inside the Watarase River, however during the restoration of the river during the Meiji and Taishō periods, the location was changed to the current river channel. From January to March of 2016, land measurements were carried out by Tochigi City, Itakura Town, and Kazo City and an old stake made from concrete assumed to be installed prior was discovered and confirmed as the true point of intersection of the three prefectures.

This is the birthplace of “Kan’ichi Shimofusa,” a musician who produced famous nursery rhymes. It is said that the atmosphere of the old town of Ōtone was his inspiration when composing songs such as “Tanabatasama,” “Nogiku” and “Hanabi.” “Ōtone Koshihikari” rice, harvested with plentiful water and one of the leading varieties “delicious Koshihikari” rice from Saitama, is sold here as “Dōyō no Furusato Ōtone" (hometown of nursery rhymes, Ōtone).

A roadside station with a complete view of Watarase-yusuichi (a vast wetland and vibrant wildlife habitat). There is a facility selling products such as Koshihikari brand rice, grown on the fertile land of Kitakawabe area, and fresh local vegetables such as the Momotarō tomato. The richly flavored handmade soba available at the farm restaurant is also very popular, with many repeat customers. This new attraction is very unique to Japan as it straddles three prefectures, resulting in the roadside station being responsible for its overall promotion.

“Kiyasse Hanyū” is the nickname for Hanyū City Mitakaya agricultural and forest park. At the park, with an area of roughly 3.6 hectares, there is a “Shiki no Oka” (four seasons hill) with many flowers, a production building that boasts local vegetables harvested that morning, a beer factory that manufactures Hanyū’s local beer “Kobushi Hana Beer,” and a restaurant where you can enjoy handmade udon. Inside the park, there is playground equipment for kids, and events and vegetable harvesting experiences are held year round.