【Day Trip】 I enjoyed local gourmet food at the very popular "Road Station Shonan Chigasaki," which opened in July

"Shonan Chigasaki" is a roadside station that just opened on July 7th. I came here after hearing rumors that the Chigasaki gourmet scene was thriving!

The first roadside station in the Shonan area has been incredibly popular even after three months.

The first roadside station "Roadside Station Shonan Chigasaki" that opened in the Shonan area has attracted significant attention even before its opening. According to a local friend who was eagerly waiting for the opening, "the level of congestion is unreal."

I thought it would settle down a bit after three months, but despite it being a weekday, it was still very popular. The parking lot was more crowded than I had imagined, and the waiting line was so long that I reluctantly decided to give up for the time being.

Roadside Station Shonan Chigasaki
Location: 1546-1 Yanagishima, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Opening hours: [Direct Sales] 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM [Dining] 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Last order 6:30 PM)
*Some stores: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Last order 6:30 PM)

A week later, on Sunday, my husband also wanted to go, so we prepared to make up for the previous visit. Since it was a holiday that seemed likely to be more crowded than a weekday, we arrived early.

From the moment we exited the "Chigasaki Coastal IC" on the New Shonan Bypass, the left turn lane was heavily congested! I was prepared for a long wait to park, but surprisingly, I was able to park in the lot behind "Roadside Station Shonan Chigasaki" in about 15 minutes.

A stylish and lively outdoor area spreads out before us.

When I entered "Road Station Shonan Chigasaki," I discovered a dog run. While it wasn't very large, the ground was covered in grass, and the dogs were happily running around. This area is exclusively for small dogs (under 10 kg). Today, my dog was left at my parents' house, but next time, I definitely want to play together at this dog run.

In the spacious交流広場, several food trucks were set up. I had the image of a road station being simple and calm, but here it is a stylish and vibrant space. It's no wonder that "Road Station Shonan Chigasaki" is said to be inspired by the atmosphere of its sister city, Honolulu!

Upon entering the facility, it was extremely crowded inside. I have visited road stations across the country, but I was surprised to see so many people at this one. The first floor has a retail area with souvenirs and restaurants that offer takeout. The second floor features a food court and a kids' space for dining and relaxing.

I tried the "Black Soy Sauce Soup with Seafood Flavor" and "Shonan Chigasaki MILK."

Since I was hungry, I headed to the second-floor food court with only a little shopping done. There are several places offering gourmet food using local ingredients from Chigasaki and Shonan.

Since it's a seaside town, I was drawn to the seafood menu... but I definitely couldn't skip the ramen! This time, I ordered the "Seafood Scented Black Soy Sauce Soup" from Chigasaki Nandoki Farm (900 yen).

On official websites, it's introduced as "Chigasaki Black Soy Sauce Ramen," which seems to be a local specialty. While looking for a seat, I heard someone exclaiming, "This is so good!" so I decided right away without hesitation.

As soon as I took a bite... delicious! The black soy sauce soup has not only richness and depth but also hints of seafood flavor. This is far beyond the level of a food court. What surprised me even more was the ginger topping. When I added the ginger on the char siu to the soup, the flavor instantly became refreshing. I was able to enjoy it without getting bored until the last bite since it offers two experiences in one bowl.

After the salty ramen, sweet desserts are definitely in order. I decided to try "Plenties," which was born in Chigasaki, on the first floor. My husband, who is from Kanagawa, said he has eaten it many times and it's a taste that reminds him of his youth. Although the menu was rich and I was indecisive, I wanted to enjoy a local flavor this time, so I ordered the "Shonan Chigasaki MILK" made from freshly squeezed milk from Chigasaki.

I was told that "Paris Chocolate is a must," so I added that topping as well. The soft serve ice cream is surprisingly rich, and the sweetness is also just right. What amazed me was how pleasant the texture was! It’s smooth and melts instantly in your mouth. The contrast in texture with the Paris Chocolate is also addictive.

I took a stroll with a soft serve ice cream in hand.

Since I came to the Chigasaki area, I decided to take a little stroll with a soft serve ice cream in hand.

When I climbed up the nearby pedestrian bridge, I was able to get a panoramic view of Chigasaki city. Unfortunately, the sea was not visible from here, but the sea breeze felt pleasantly refreshing. The area has fewer people than in the roadside station, making it a nice spot to leisurely enjoy the scenery.

How about stopping by "Road Station Shonan Chigasaki" on your next day off?

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