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.
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

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

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 August 2024, there are 1221 roadside stations across Japan: 128 in Hokkaido, 175 in the Tōhoku region, 188 in the Kantō region, 84 in the Hokuriku region, 136 in the Chūbu region, 158 in the Kansai (Kinki) region, 108 in the Chūgoku region, 91 in Shikoku, and 153 across both Kyushu and Okinawa.[1]

  1. ^ "道の駅とは？" [What is a roadside station?]. Michi-no-eki official website (in Japanese).