About
399, Yokokawa, Matsuida-machi, Annaka City, Gunma Prefecture—this is where the longstanding and historic Oginoya Yokokawa Main Store, famous for its Toge no Kamameshi, stands, having been established in 1885 (Meiji 18). Situated right next to Yokokawa Station on the Shinetsu Main Line, it has long served as a comforting rest stop for travelers crossing Usui Pass.
Standing in front of the shop, your eyes are drawn to the weight of history embodied in its wooden structure. Passing through the entrance curtain, you are surrounded by the nostalgic atmosphere of a Showa-era dining hall. Inside, wooden tables and chairs are neatly arranged, and the walls are adorned with photographs from the restaurant’s founding days as well as paintings of trains crossing Usui Pass.
The shop’s specialty is, above all, the “Toge no Kamameshi.” First created in 1958 (Showa 33), this ekiben (train station bento) features freshly cooked rice served in a Mashiko pottery pot and is beautifully topped with nine colorful ingredients including chicken, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, chestnuts, and apricots. The rice, cooked with Rishiri kelp and a secret broth, fills your mouth with subtle sweetness and rich flavor. After finishing the meal, customers can take the earthenware pot home, and many use it to cook rice or repurpose it as a flowerpot.
In addition to kamameshi, the menu includes dishes such as katsudon, soba, and udon, satisfying the appetites of all who visit. The adjoining museum displays exhibitions on the history of Yokokawa Station and Ogino-ya, making it a fascinating spot for railway enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Outside the store, the rich nature of Usui Pass unfolds, its seasonal scenery welcoming travelers throughout the year. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in abundance; in summer, lush greenery soothes the eyes; in autumn, the mountains blaze with colorful foliage; and in winter, the snowy landscape brings tranquil silence. Each visit to this place offers new discoveries and moving experiences.
Oginoya Yokokawa Main Store is not just a restaurant, but a special place that colors the memories of your journey. The kamameshi you enjoy here heals your travel fatigue and satisfies your soul. As you leave, the earthenware pot you take home serves as a warm souvenir, quietly bringing the memory of your journey back with you.