Roadside station

This article is about the type of rest area in Japan. For rest areas in the UK, see motorway service area. For rest areas in other places, see rest area.

A roadside station (道の駅, Michi no eki) is a government-designated rest area found along roads and highways in Japan.

Seto Agriculture Park, a roadside station in Ikata, Ehime

Roadside Station Seiryunosato Hijikawa (道の駅 清流の里ひじかわ) in Ehime

Roadside station in Yamakita, Kanagawa

Roadside station Tsu Kawage in Tsu, Mie

In addition to providing places for travelers to rest, they are intended to promote local tourism and trade. Shops may sell local produce, snacks, souvenirs, and other goods. All roadside stations provide 24-hour access to parking, public toilets, directional and tourism information, and other facilities.

As of February 2024, there are 1213 roadside stations across Japan: 127 in Hokkaido, 174 in the Tōhoku region, 186 in the Kantō region, 84 in the Hokuriku region, 135 in the Chūbu region, 157 in the Kansai (Kinki) region, 108 in the Chūgoku region, 90 in Shikoku, and 152 across both Kyushu and Okinawa.

External links

• (in Japanese) National Michi-no-Eki Association website
• (in English) Japan Road Bureau website
• Flickr photos 道の駅 (Michi-no-eki)