Michi-no-Eki Nanairo Nanae

Nanae calls itself the place where Western-style farming began in Japan, and the first Western apples in the country were grown here. Michi-no-Eki Nanairo Nanae, opened in March 2018 on Route 5 in Togeshita, leans into that story. NANAIRO FACTORY makes crepes, parfaits and shakes from Nanae apples, and the Togeshita Terrace food corner sells a juice flight that lets you compare three local apple juices side by side.

The savoury side is good too. The King Shiitake croquette uses mushrooms grown in Nanae, and another croquette uses beef from the Yamakawa ranch near Onuma. The station also sells its own craft cider made from Nanae apples that would otherwise go unused. The produce corner carries the town's vegetables, rice and flowers, so the stock depends on the season.

It makes an easy first or last stop on a Hakodate trip, since Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station is about ten minutes away and Onuma Park is a short drive north. The building opens 9:00 to 18:00 and closes over New Year, but the food counters have changed their hours before, so check the official notices if you are coming for a meal.