Whenever we have free time on a holiday, our family tends to drive straight toward Chiba.
From Ichikawa at the gateway to the prefecture to the Sotobo coast, Ichihara, and Minamiboso, we have searched many areas for souvenirs. One place we had rarely had an opportunity to use was Noro Parking Area.
We had not stopped before because no particular Noro specialty came to mind, and because we had not driven the Chiba-Togane Road very often.
While compiling Chiba souvenir information, however, I realized that this parking area receives unusually strong support.
After spending the day near Kisarazu, we deliberately took a long route home so that we could visit Noro PA.
Here is a detailed report for anyone planning to stop there.
About Noro Parking Area (Inbound)
Where is Noro PA?
Noro PA sits roughly halfway along the Chiba-Togane Road, between Takada IC and Nakano IC.
This article covers the inbound side, but an outbound parking area stands at almost the same location.
Driving directly from central Tokyo should take around 45 minutes.
Characteristics of Noro PA (Inbound)
To be honest, this is neither a large parking area nor one with an unusually sharp concept.
Its scale presumably reflects traffic on the Chiba-Togane Road, and the overall feeling is closer to one of the compact parking areas on the Metropolitan Expressway.
Compared with facilities of similar size in nearby prefectures, it feels roughly equal to Yatabe-Higashi PA in Ibaraki, twice the size of Yashio PA in Saitama, and around three times the size of Kahei PA in Tokyo.
Small parking areas, however, have their own appeal. I had seen many comments praising its traditional expressway atmosphere and suspected it might suit my taste.
Noro PA also carries NEXCO East’s YASMOCCA brand, suggesting that it is reliable for everyday use, short breaks, and satisfying food.
The sections below provide the complete report.
Noro Parking Area Souvenir Shop and Dining Room Report
Here is the facility as it looked during our visit.
This is exactly the kind of characterful place an expressway parking area should be.
What is the Souvenir Shop Like?
A vehicle blocks part of the view, but this photograph shows the complete facility. It is clearly not large.
The outbound Noro PA is visible on the opposite side.
Naturally, you cannot walk across to it.
Inside, the shop was remarkably lively. We visited during the New Year holiday, so it was probably busier than usual.
The souvenir section is not particularly spacious, yet the effective displays make the range feel extensive.
Baskets include signs introducing recommended products, which is helpful.
Peanuts Monaka, a regular near the top of Chiba souvenir rankings, was available.
See the review below for details.
Choshi Electric Railway Nure Senbei was also stocked, with Katsuura Tantanmen Peanut-Age displayed beneath it.
There was even a small refrigerated section.
The item promoted most heavily appeared to be the Noro PA-exclusive Black Salt Caramel Roll Cake.
For an expressway parking area, the selection is more than sufficient and provides plenty of choice.
After struggling among the many strongly Chiba-themed products, I purchased the following five items. Separate reviews follow elsewhere on the site.
Having visited many souvenir shops across Chiba, I felt that this compact space offered an exceptionally concentrated selection.
Together with the dining room described next, it quickly became one of my favorite stops.
The Energetic Traditional Dining Room
We were slightly hungry, so naturally we also tried the dining room. New Year seems to enlarge the appetite.
The ticket machine and large menu board immediately raised expectations. Places with this kind of display are usually dependable.
Because it was the New Year holiday, every seat was busy. We managed to secure a table while buying our tickets.
Less than five minutes after handing over the tickets, an appetizing bowl of tonkotsu soy-sauce ramen arrived for ¥730.
Kakiage soba followed from the soba counter for ¥490.
Apologies for always ordering similar menus.
The tonkotsu soy-sauce ramen was the best pork-bone ramen I had eaten at a parking area.
I normally choose miso, so my comparison sample is small, but the soup matched my preferences almost perfectly. The quantity of green onion, the heat, and the richness all contributed to an exceptionally satisfying bowl.
The kakiage soba was equally welcome even though New Year’s Eve had already passed.
The broth was dark and strong, and I appreciated the generous green onion rather than relying entirely on the kakiage for character. The counter also offered ichimi chili pepper, exactly the right choice.
Next time, deciding between ramen and soba will be difficult.
Other customers ordered a much wider variety of dishes. The apparent specialties included:
- Pork yakiniku rice bowl with Otaka Shoyu garlic soy sauce
- Kinkatei motsu stew set meal
- Salt-fried Kinso chicken set meal
I would like to try these eventually.
Other Facilities at Noro Parking Area
After covering the souvenir shop and dining room, here is a brief look at the remaining facilities.
The vending machine area:
Hot snacks are also available.
An outdoor kiosk sells light refreshments such as ice cream.
It was an extremely cold day, so nobody was using the outdoor benches. A smoking area is visible farther back.
Noro Parking Area Highway Stamp
Noro PA also has a highway stamp, so collectors should remember to use it.
The stamp station stands near the building entrance.
The lettering blurred on my copy, but the design appears to show the Kasori Shell Mounds.
Completing the highway-stamp collection is clearly going to take a long time.
Noro Parking Area (Inbound) Basic Information
| Name | Noro Parking Area (Inbound) |
|---|---|
| Parking | 100 standard vehicles and 23 large vehicles |
| Toilets | Men: 5 stalls and 15 urinals; women: 13 stalls; ostomate facilities available |
| Food | Dining-room style, 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; outdoor light refreshments also available |
| Shop | Small souvenir shop, 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Gas Station | None |
| Address | 1509-2 Norocho, Wakaba-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Website | Noro Parking Area (Inbound) |
That concludes this guide to Noro Parking Area on the Chiba-Togane Road.
It is small but excellent, and well worth a stop.
For more Chiba souvenir information, see the page below.
Noro Parking Area Inbound Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Noro Parking Area Inbound |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | NEXCO East Japan |
| Address | 1509-2 Norocho, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, Chiba, Japan |
| Expiration Date | Not applicable |
| Place of Purchase | Noro Parking Area Inbound |
| Price | Free admission; expressway tolls apply |
