Roadside Station Chikura Sea Breeze Kingdom

Michi-no-Eki Chikura Shiokaze Okoku (Chikura Seaside Breeze Kingdom) is a roadside station by the sea in Chikura, offering a rich selection of seafood souvenirs such as live fish and fresh seafood, as well as local agricultural products. Access is from JR Chikura Station: take the Tateyama Nitto Bus (Shirahama–Chikura Line), get off at Okawa stop, then walk 5 minutes. One of the station’s big attractions is its spacious lawn park—about 7,000 m² (around 2,000 tsubo)—where not only children but also pets can run and play. A large slide is also installed. From a small hill shaped like an ancient mound, you can look out over the sea and flower fields; relaxing while gazing at the ocean in the sea breeze can make everyday stress melt away. There is also a pond in the lawn park, and beside it stands a replica of the 70-ton-class fishing vessel “Daiichi Chikuramaru,” once used for mackerel and saury fishing. In Chikura, which once thrived on fishing, nearly 100 vessels of this class were active in the Showa 30s–40s era (1955–1974). You can climb up to the bridge (wheelhouse) of the replica and observe the rocky shoreline of Chikura Beach up close. Indoors, you’ll find “Umiichiba Chikura,” where you can buy fresh fish landed at Chikura’s port and also premium live abalone, turban shells, and spiny lobster; plus “Restaurant Hanabo,” where you can enjoy Chikura seafood. Restaurant Hanabo is a famous spot frequently featured on TV—when you visit, the recommended dish is the hearty seafood bowl “Ousama-don,” topped with a whole spiny lobster.