Roadside Stations: A Gateway to Deeper Regional Exploration

Michi-no-Eki are similar to service areas, but there are key differences between them:
・Michi-no-Eki are rest facilities located along national highways and general roads
・Service areas are rest facilities located along expressways
While it depends on the facility, Michi-no-Eki generally offer a stronger connection to local culture and specialties.

Many Michi-no-Eki have direct sales markets where visitors can purchase locally grown agricultural products, livestock, and seafood.
In addition, many stations sell original products such as condiments, sweets, and other processed goods made from regional ingredients.
Shopping for unique specialties that can only be found at a particular Michi-no-Eki is one of the most popular ways to enjoy these roadside stations.

Many Michi-no-Eki feature restaurants, food stalls, and cafés that showcase local ingredients and traditional dishes.
Some offer dishes made with regionally grown vegetables and fruits, while others serve unique delicacies featuring local beef or pork varieties that may not be widely known elsewhere.
For many Japanese travelers, soft-serve ice cream is a signature Michi-no-Eki treat.
Each region offers its own take, using local ingredients to create distinctive flavors that attract visitors looking for a sweet, one-of-a-kind experience.

Michi-no-Eki located in hot spring areas often feature day-use onsen facilities or foot baths, allowing travelers to enjoy the healing properties of local hot springs without making a separate trip to a dedicated onsen resort.
These facilities provide a convenient way to soothe tired muscles after a long drive or simply enjoy a quick and refreshing break.

Because Michi-no-Eki are often located away from urban centers, they offer visitors the opportunity to experience breathtaking natural landscapes.
While many roadside stations provide charming rural scenery, some stand out for their truly spectacular views.
For instance, Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi offers an incredible vantage point where visitors can admire Mt. Fuji towering above.
In Hyogo, Michi no Eki Awaji presents a stunning panorama of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Akashi Strait, creating an unforgettable seascape.
Meanwhile, Michi-no-Eki Kirara Taki in Shimane is renowned for its magnificent sunsets over Kiku Coast, earning a place among Japan’s top 100 sunset spots.

Some Michi-no-Eki also provide unique recreational experiences, making them ideal destinations for families looking for a fun-filled day.
In Yamagata, Cherry Land Sagae allows visitors to enjoy fruit picking year-round, offering a hands-on experience with seasonal produce. At Michi-no-Eki Tarumizu Hamabira in Kagoshima, travelers can take part in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in the nearby sea, making the most of the area’s coastal beauty. In Hyogo, Kobe Fruit Flower Park Ozo features a family-friendly theme park where visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions. Each Michi-no-Eki offers its own unique activities, ensuring that travelers can fully experience the distinct characteristics of the region while creating lasting memories.

Located in Minami Furano Town, Hokkaido, Michi-no-Eki Minamifurano serves as a key stopover for travelers heading to popular destinations such as Sapporo, Asahikawa, and Obihiro.
The on-site specialty shop features local products like "Bata Jaga" (a local buttered potato dish), as well as the town’s original "Minami Furano Chips", made in local factories.
The facility also includes a multi-purpose complex and a green park, providing various ways to enjoy the area beyond shopping for local goods.
Inside the complex, visitors can explore one of Hokkaido’s largest Montbell stores, a facility for indoor climbing, and a Western-style restaurant using local ingredients. A food court with six different eateries further enhances the dining experience.
The adjacent green park features a waterfront area for canoeing, a playground with bouldering equipment, and a kids' area built with locally sourced wood.
A dedicated tourist information booth also provides assistance for international visitors, ensuring a welcoming experience for travelers from all over the world.

Michi-no-Eki Tono Kaze No Oka serves as a major tourist hub in Tono City, Iwate, an area known for its lush natural scenery and well-preserved traditional landscapes.
The station includes a tourist information center, a market for local specialties, a food hall serving regional delicacies, and an observation deck offering panoramic views of Tono’s rice fields, clear streams, and castle townscape.
The food hall is especially popular for its Tono Jingisukan (grilled lamb dish) and Goemon Ramen, two signature local dishes that should not be missed. For a unique dining experience, visitors can even enjoy Jingisukan while taking in the view from the terrace.

Located in Motegi Town, Tochigi, Michi-no-Eki Motegi is easily accessible, situated just a 12-minute walk from Motegi Station.
In addition to shopping for local produce and enjoying regional cuisine, this roadside station offers a special attraction: a close-up view of steam locomotives (SL) running on the Moka Railway. The sight of the locomotive draws photography enthusiasts, especially on weekends.
The station is also home to Teuchi Soba Wappa Meshi Kikyo, a restaurant where visitors can dine on handmade soba noodles and traditional wappa-meshi (steamed rice in a wooden container) while watching the SL pass by.
In addition, Jukkoku Riverside Park, located within the premises, features train-themed playground equipment, making it a family-friendly destination where children and adults alike can enjoy a full day of fun.

Just an 11-minute walk from Gujo Yamato Station in Gifu, Michi-no-Eki Kokin-denju-no-sato Yamato offers a diverse range of facilities, including a tourist information center, a local specialty market, a restaurant serving regional cuisine, and even a free foot bath. The station also features a yogurt and ice cream workshop, allowing visitors to indulge in handmade dairy treats.
Nearby, visitors will find Yamato Onsen Yasuragi-kan, a hot spring facility, as well as Fairfield by Marriott Gifu Gujo, making this roadside station a convenient stop for extended stays.
Among the many offerings, the most popular item is Ayu no Shioyaki (salt-grilled sweetfish), sold at the food stall Kanihasakura.
The fish is carefully grilled over charcoal, allowing visitors to enjoy the entire fish, from head to tail.

Located in Hakui City on the Noto Peninsula, Michi-no-Eki Notosenrihama is situated next to Chirihama Nagisa Driveway, the only place in Japan where you can drive on the beach.
The station features a market selling naturally cultivated produce, locally sourced wild boar meat, and a variety of processed foods, sweets, and crafts unique to the region.
Dining options include a restaurant, a bakery, and a café, all offering dishes made with fresh ingredients from Noto and Hakui.
Travelers can also unwind at the free natural hot spring foot bath, providing a perfect way to relax before continuing their journey.

This roadside station is located in Minamiyamashiro Village, Kyoto Prefecture’s only village, surrounded by lush mountains and rivers.
The area shares borders with Nara, Mie, and Shiga, and has developed a distinctive food culture influenced by its location.
The standout attraction at this station is its extensive selection of tea-based products, as Minamiyamashiro is one of the primary production areas of Uji tea.
Visitors can enjoy original tea-based sweets and dishes, such as Muracha Pudding, Muracha Ice Cream, and Cha Soba (green tea soba noodles).
The on-site restaurant, Murafudo Shokudo Tsuchinobu, offers both lunch and breakfast menus, with highlights including a hojicha (roasted green tea) porridge set meal and a traditional Japanese breakfast set.
For those looking for a more immersive experience, staying at the Fairfield by Marriott Kyoto Minamiyamashiro, located next to the Michi-no-Eki, allows guests to wake up and enjoy breakfast at the roadside station the following morning.

The coastal Hamakado Road along the Shichiri Mihama coastline is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kumano Kodo, and Michi-no-Eki Park Shichiri Mihama serves as a key rest stop for travelers exploring the region.
In addition to its direct sales market and souvenir shop, the station features a restaurant, coin laundry, and shower facilities, making it one of the few Michi-no-Eki that cater to overnight car travelers.
The third-floor restaurant, "Gochiso Dining by Tsuji-san Chi," offers spectacular views of Shichiri Mihama’s beautiful coastline while serving fresh seafood dishes.
The station is also home to a juice factory that produces 100% fresh mandarin orange juice, made from locally grown citrus fruits.

Located in Sera Town, Hiroshima, just off the Sera IC, this Michi-no-Eki is a popular stop for food lovers.
At the Restaurant Michi-no-Eki Sera, visitors can savor dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, including Sera Minori Beef, known for its well-balanced fat and lean meat, served in beef curry and gyudon (beef bowl). Other highlights include roast cutlet set meals featuring Sera Highland Pork, which is praised for its mild sweetness and tender texture, as well as the "Sera no Megumi Burger", made with locally raised six-grain-fed pork.
For dessert, visitors can enjoy a refreshing Sera Pear Soft Serve, made from the area's renowned juicy and sweet Sera pears. Additionally, barbecue facilities are available for visitors to enjoy a hands-free grilling experience with Sera’s premium ingredients.

Located on Shodoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, this Michi-no-Eki is known for its Mediterranean-style landscape and extensive facilities.
The station is famous for its white windmill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, an English garden with over 120 types of herbs and roses, and numerous photogenic spots that attract visitors looking for the perfect snapshot.
Due to its connection to the film "Kiki’s Delivery Service", parts of the movie set remain intact and have been repurposed into a shop selling handmade accessories and crafts.
The on-site restaurant, San Olive, serves local meat rice bowls, ramen, and somen noodles infused with olive oil and fruits, offering a unique culinary experience that showcases the island’s specialty ingredients.

Situated on an elevated location overlooking the Chikugo Plain, Michi-no-Eki Ukiha is located on the border between Fukuoka and Oita.
The station’s wooden architecture, inspired by traditional “Kudo-style farmhouses” from the late 18th century, has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Visitors can shop for fresh agricultural products at "Bussankan Nishimidai", while enjoying soft serve, wagashi (Japanese sweets), and takoyaki at "Pochi". The "Oshokujidokoro Nakayoshi Koyoshi" restaurant offers traditional Japanese meals with scenic views of the surrounding rice fields.
The adjacent "Ukihako" tourism exchange facility provides local travel information and bicycle rentals, making it a great starting point for exploring the Ukiha region.

Located in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, Michi-no-Eki Kyoda was the first Michi-no-Eki in Okinawa.
Visitors can shop for fresh produce and local specialties from the Yanbaru region, as well as purchase exclusive souvenirs only available at this location.
The facility also sells discounted tickets for major attractions such as Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, making it a convenient stop for tourists exploring the northern parts of the island.
At the on-site restaurant, visitors can enjoy Okinawan dishes such as Okinawa Soba, tacos, and steak, while the traditional red-tiled roof architecture creates an authentic Okinawan atmosphere.
For those looking to take home a piece of Okinawa, the station also sells handcrafted Ryukyu glass and Shisa figurines, offering a taste of the island’s rich cultural heritage.