NaraLeisure

Michi-no-Eki Katsuragi (道の駅かつらぎ)

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Look up at the east and west three-story pagodas at an ancient temple at the foot of Mount Nijo

About 30 min from the previous stop

About 70 min here

About 50 min to the next stop

Next stop: Enjoy the afternoon at the 25m pool, the slide, and the toddler pool

About this spot

A roadside station along the national highway in Katsuragi City, with a direct-sales shop selling local produce and processed goods along with a dining area. Vegetables and fruits grown in the southwestern Nara Basin change with the seasons, making it a fun place just to browse. Outside there's a lawn and a rest area, where children can move around a little. It's a convenient stop where you can take care of lunch before the pool and stock up on drinks all at once.

Tips

The dining area gets crowded around lunchtime, so visiting early, around 11 AM, is a good way to cut down on wait times. It's about a 10-minute drive to Shinjo Sports Center. Since the pool has only limited concessions, it's a good idea to stock up on drinks and snacks here beforehand.