Michi no Eki Nambu (Roadside Station Nambu)

If you’re travelling from Shizuoka (west) to the Minami-Yamanashi area via the Chubu Crossroad Expressway (Chubu odan do), make sure to stop by this roadside station twice – on the way there and the way back. For those coming from Tokyo (east), consider this station as the turnaround point.

“Michi no eki Nambu” is a relatively new roadside station built in 2018. It showcases a wide variety of products from Minami-Yamanashi area, including beautifully displayed seasonal fruits and vegetables, and the renowned local Nanbu tea.

One of the great charms of “Michi no eki Nambu” is its delightful deserts!

The must-try item is the green tea soft-serve ice cream made of the local tea. It distinguishes itself from the “common” matcha flavoured soft-serve.

The colour is so green, and it is so rich in tea flavour.  

In “Michi no eki Nambu” there is a diner named “Nambu Yorokobi Cha Shokudo”, literally means “Tea of Joy Diner in Nanbu”. The quality of the deserts served here surpasses the standard of “usual” michi no eki (roadside station).

Parfaits and Mont Blancs are surprisingly large and delicious.

Note: Monbran, pronounced in Japanese way, or Mont-Blanc aux marrons in French, is one of the most popular cakes originally imported from France and fully “developed” in Japan. It is a dessert of sweetened chestnut puree in the form of thin noodles.

A must-try in autumn is the “Freshly-squeezed-out Mont Blanc.” Chestnut puree is squeezed out in front of you, forming a nest of very thin noodles generously layered onto green tea paste and whipped cream.

Desserts vary with the seasons; tea-based Mont Blanc, peach Mont Blanc, grape Mont Blanc, strawberry Mont Blanc…, despite “Mont Blanc” means a white mountain. This unique interpretation or development is unknown to the French!

This station is, so to speak, the “intersection of locals and tourists.”

As there is also a children’s playground, you often see local families around. Playing, having meals, buying deli items. Asking locals and friendly staff for local information and recommendations is also a part of the joy of travel.

Mr. Sano, the stationmaster says, “Let’s liven up Yamanashi from Nambu-cho.”

The original “Yorokobi Cha”, Tea of Joy, series includes souvenirs such as cookies and pudding made with Nanbu tea. Also, don’t forget to check out the single estate tea from tea gardens in Nambu-cho!