A Farm Shop from Wakayama’s “Fruit Kingdom”
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables from Local Farms
Katsuragi Town is known as a “Fruit Kingdom” because of its thriving fruit-growing industry. At Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato, visitors can experience this agricultural richness through a wide selection of fresh produce.
The farm shop features fruits and vegetables freshly harvested by local farmers, allowing visitors to enjoy the best flavors of each season. Depending on the time of year, you may find persimmons, strawberries, peaches, mandarins, Shine Muscat grapes, and many other seasonal fruits.
Because the selection changes throughout the year, every visit can offer a different taste of Katsuragi. A variety of processed products, including dried persimmons, anpo-gaki, and umeboshi pickled plums, are also available, making the shop an excellent place to find regional souvenirs.
Specialty Products and Original Local Foods
The roadside station also offers original products made with ingredients from the local area. One particularly distinctive product is a curry made with persimmon powder, which combines the natural sweetness of persimmons with the rich flavor of locally produced Kumano Pork.
The curry is made without artificial seasonings, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to come through. It is an interesting example of how traditional local ingredients can be transformed into a modern regional specialty.
Fruit Desserts and a Relaxing Café
A Luxurious Fruit Parfait on Weekends and Holidays
One of the most popular specialties at Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato is its fruit parfait, available exclusively on weekends and public holidays.
Made generously with fresh fruits from the surrounding area, the parfait is colorful and visually impressive. With its beautiful presentation and abundance of seasonal fruit, it can truly be described as a “jewel you can eat.”
The fruits used in the parfait change with the seasons, giving visitors a reason to return and discover a new combination of flavors each time.
Relax at KIGURI CAFE
KIGURI CAFE, located within the facility, offers a variety of fruit-based sweets, juices, light meals, and drinks. The menu ranges from hearty dishes such as ramen and fried chicken to café favorites including parfaits and cakes.
The café also has terrace seating where visitors can relax while enjoying views of the surrounding natural landscape. It is an ideal place to take a break during a road trip through the mountains of Wakayama.
Takeout options are also available, including the popular seasonal fruit ice cream cup, which is especially enjoyable on a warm day.
A Gateway to Local History and Culture
The Traditional Village of Kushigaki
In autumn, the Shigo district becomes particularly beautiful. Houses and farm buildings are decorated with rows of kushigaki hanging beneath their eaves, creating a distinctive seasonal landscape.
This tradition has continued for approximately 400 years and has become one of the area’s best-known cultural sights. The rows of persimmons slowly drying in the autumn air create a memorable scene that reflects the agricultural heritage of Katsuragi.
Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato serves as an excellent starting point for discovering this traditional culture and learning more about the local way of life.
Tourist Information and Community Exchange
The facility also includes a tourist information area where visitors can learn about nearby attractions, local events, and sightseeing opportunities.
Information is available about destinations associated with the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,” a UNESCO World Heritage property. Visitors can also find information about local guided tours led by storytellers who introduce the history and culture of the region.
This makes the roadside station not only a place to shop and eat, but also a useful base for exploring the wider area.
Discover Katsuragi’s Local Specialties
Kushigaki: A 400-Year-Old Tradition
The specialty that best represents this area is kushigaki, a traditional form of dried persimmon with a history of approximately 400 years.
Bright orange persimmons are threaded onto skewers and hung beneath the eaves of houses to dry naturally. From autumn into winter, these rows of persimmons create a spectacular seasonal landscape throughout the Shigo district.
Kushigaki is prized not only for its beautiful appearance but also for its concentrated sweetness and rich flavor. It is traditionally enjoyed as a special food for the Japanese New Year and is associated with good fortune.
Sweet and Flavorful Local Persimmons
Katsuragi is one of Japan’s leading persimmon-producing areas. One of the popular varieties found here is seedless persimmon, including the Tonewase variety.
These persimmons are juicy and naturally sweet, with a texture that changes as the fruit ripens. Fresh persimmons are an excellent way to experience the quality of the area’s agricultural produce.
Processed persimmon products are also popular. Anpo-gaki is a soft, moist type of dried persimmon with a rich sweetness, while traditional dried persimmons offer a firmer texture and concentrated flavor.
Seasonal Fruits Throughout the Year
As a “Fruit Kingdom,” Katsuragi produces a remarkable variety of fruit throughout the year. The roadside station offers fresh produce harvested by local farmers, often bringing the day’s harvest directly to visitors.
Popular examples include “Mari Hime” strawberries, known for their sweetness and fragrance; “Harehime” mandarins, which offer abundant juice and a refreshing flavor; and tree-ripened Shiranui citrus, known for its rich sweetness.
Mandarins are especially popular and are one of Wakayama Prefecture’s signature agricultural products. Their long harvest season means that visitors can enjoy different varieties and flavors from autumn through spring.
Original Products Using Local Ingredients
The roadside station offers many original products that make creative use of local ingredients. Among them is the popular “Umakaki Kumano Pork Curry,” which uses the natural sweetness of persimmons as a subtle flavoring ingredient.
Its combination of spicy curry and gentle sweetness creates a distinctive taste that reflects the creativity of local food producers.
Another interesting specialty is Kagero Ice Cream, an inventive variation inspired by a traditional Wakayama confectionery. The soft texture of the sweet and the coolness of ice cream create a unique dessert experience that is particularly appealing to visitors looking for something different.
Plenty of Souvenirs to Take Home
Visitors can also find well-known Wakayama specialties such as Kakinoha-zushi, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, and umeboshi, Japanese pickled plums.
Other products include fruit juices and jams made with locally grown produce, freshly baked bread, and a variety of regional foods. With so many choices, shopping for souvenirs becomes part of the sightseeing experience itself.
The Taste of Local Life
The products sold at Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato represent more than simply food and souvenirs. They reflect the history, traditions, natural environment, and dedication of local producers.
From freshly harvested fruit and traditional dried persimmons to creative original sweets and savory foods, the roadside station provides visitors with an opportunity to discover flavors that are closely connected to Katsuragi’s local identity.
Comfortable Facilities and Easy Access
A Spacious Place to Rest
The facility has a spacious rest area where visitors can relax comfortably during their journey. It also functions as a place for local residents to meet and interact, giving the roadside station a friendly and welcoming community atmosphere.
For travelers driving through the Kii Peninsula, it is a convenient place to stop, stretch their legs, enjoy a meal, and explore local products before continuing their journey.
Convenient Location Along National Route 480
Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato is located along National Route 480 and can be reached in approximately five minutes by car from the Katsuragi-Nishi Interchange of the Keinawa Expressway.
Its location makes it an easy stop for travelers driving between Osaka and Wakayama. Whether you are looking for local food, seasonal fruit, souvenirs, or simply a place to rest, the roadside station is conveniently located along the route.
A Taste of Katsuragi’s Nature and Tradition
Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato brings together the natural bounty, agricultural traditions, and cultural heritage of Katsuragi Town in one welcoming destination.
Visitors can enjoy freshly harvested fruit, discover the centuries-old tradition of kushigaki, sample regional dishes and desserts, and find unique souvenirs made with local ingredients.
It is much more than a convenient rest stop. For travelers exploring Wakayama by car, it offers a chance to experience the character of a rural Japanese community and discover the seasonal flavors of the Kii Peninsula.
Whether you stop for a refreshing fruit parfait, shop for local specialties, or visit during the beautiful autumn kushigaki season, Michi-no-Eki Kushigaki-no-Sato is a memorable place to experience the food, culture, and warm hospitality of Katsuragi.