TRAVEL

2025.07.06

【In Search of Coolness】Recommended by Outdoor Writers! 5 Soft Serves at Roadside Stations

Through interviews and travels, I often make use of roadside stations. The author loves soft serve ice cream and tends to buy it whenever there’s something that catches their eye at a stop. This time, I’ll share the memorable soft serve ice cream and gelato from roadside stations in the Kanto region.

Push 1. Roadside Station Fruit Orchard Park Ashigakubo's Waterside Cafe "Tea Soft"

First up is the "Tea Soft" (500 yen) sold at the cafe within the Fruit Orchard Park Ashigakubo along National Route 299. The town of Yokose, where the roadside station is located, is famous for its tea, and the product makes use of processed tea.

The mild tea flavor is fresh compared to the typical matcha soft serve, offering a unique taste that can't be found elsewhere. The milk-flavored soft serve is also rich, providing a high satisfaction level.

The roadside station is bustling with tourists heading to Chichibu, and the cafeteria offers homemade noodle soba and udon, as well as Chichibu's famous waraji katsu don. With ample space and many seats available, enjoying soft serve at the terrace by the riverbank is also recommended.

Waterside Cafe
Location: 1915 Ashigakubo, Yokose Town, Chichibu County, Saitama Prefecture
TEL: 0494-21-0299
Business Hours: Weekdays 11:00 - 15:00, Weekends and Holidays 11:00 - 16:00
※Hours may vary by season; check the website for confirmation.

Push 2. Roadside Station Arawaka's Suzuhiroan "Blueberry Soft"

Next is the "Blueberry Soft" (450 yen) at Roadside Station Arawaka located in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture. It's a roadside station along the local Chichibu Railway, surrounded by orchards. The soft-serve ice cream made with freshly harvested fruits is notable for not just mixing in the fruits, but also topping with the actual fruits and sauces. At this time, I was able to enjoy the aroma of freshly picked blueberries.

While blueberries were recommended on this occasion, there are also other varieties like figs, kiwis, and strawberries, allowing you to enjoy various seasonal fruits. Despite its luxurious presentation utilizing the fruits themselves, the price is surprisingly similar to regular soft-serve ice creams.

Suzuhiroan (Roadside Station Arawaka)
Address: 538-1 Arakawa Hino, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture
TEL: 0494-54-0022 (to Roadside Station Arawaka, to Suzuhiroan)
Business Hours: Summer 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Winter 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed: Year-end from December 14 to January 2

Push 3. Roadside Station Hachioji Takiyama's Milk Ice MO-MO "Gelato (Kaneko Milk, Choco Mint)"

This is the "Gelato Double Cup" (480 yen) from the roadside station Hachioji Takiyama's Milk Ice MO-MO in Tokyo. I happened to come across this place on Google Maps, and it's noted that it gets very crowded on weekends and that the gelato has a good reputation. When I actually went there, it was indeed the case; it was extremely busy even on weekdays, and the gelato was exquisite.

The Kaneko milk made from milk from a farm in Hachioji City has a rich and flavorful taste that evokes a hint of butter, while the light-colored chocolate mint has a natural taste that isn't too overpowering, which was very satisfying. Additionally, the lineup of flavors includes unique options like salt, peanuts, and grilled barley milk, showing creativity so that visitors won't get bored no matter how many times they come.

In the roadside station's sales area, there are plenty of fresh vegetables, which attract many local residents who come specifically for them. There are also souvenirs like Hachioji ramen that can be made at home, making it a place that tourists can enjoy as well. Since it's very close to the Hachioji Interchange, it might be a good idea to stop by if you're in the area.

Milk Ice MO-MO
Location: 1-592-2 Takiyamacho, Hachioji City, Tokyo
TEL: 042-692-1675
Business hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Regular holidays: Second and Fourth Wednesday of each month (if it's a holiday, the following weekday will be the business day)

Recommendation 4. Roadside Station Kosuge's Source Restaurant "Shine Muscat Soft"

This is the "Shine Muscat Soft Cream Small" (400 yen) at the roadside station Kosuge in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. The roadside station is located along Route 139, which connects Okutama Town in Tokyo to Otsuki City in Yamanashi Prefecture. The soft serve ice cream served at the Genryu Restaurant in the roadside station is made into a sherbet-like texture using the famous Shine Muscat grapes from Yamanashi Prefecture. The refreshing flavor and acidity of the fruit are highlighted, offering a rich taste that allows you to feel the essence of the ingredients. Because it is refreshing, it might be nice to enjoy just the muscat flavor during hot seasons.

The roadside station is well-equipped, featuring an unmanned convenience store, hot spring facilities, and an athletic facility in addition to the restaurant. There are also souvenir products that utilize local ingredients, so it’s likely that you can enjoy a whole day here, not just for a break but specifically visiting the roadside station.

Genryu Restaurant
Location: 3445 Kosuge Village, Kitatsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture
TEL: 0428-87-0020
Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Pizza/Pasta 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM)
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Pizza/Pasta 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM)
Closed: Wednesdays (may close temporarily)

Recommendation 5: Minano Roadside Station's Rest House "Rich Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream"

The fifth item is the "Rich Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream" (400 yen, tax included), sold at the Minano Roadside Station in Minano Town, Saitama Prefecture. This soft serve ice cream comes from the Milk House at Chichibu Highland Ranch, and the appeal lies in the fresh and rich flavor of the milk unique to the ranch.

On this day, I tried to eat this soft serve ice cream at the ranch, but I was disappointed to find it was a regular holiday. However, I accidentally discovered it at the roadside station. If you missed out on it at the ranch, why not try to recover it here?

There are plenty of local vegetables and processed products unique to Chichibu, such as miso pork, and a good selection of souvenirs. There were also many homemade-looking side dishes that seem great to enjoy in the car. If you're tired from the mountain roads, why not stop by?

Rest House Minano
Location: 3236-35 Minano, Minano Town, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture
TEL: 0494-62-3501
Business hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Closed: December 31 - January 3

Interview & Text: Kazuma Tanaka

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