Roadside station
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.[1]
The designation system for roadside stations began in 1993 as a convenience for drivers.[2][3] 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.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "道の駅について" [About Roadside Stations] (PDF). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. September 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "「道の駅」の第61回登録について" [On the 61st Registration of Roadside Stations] (PDF). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 7 August 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Michi-no-Eki - Japan's roadside stations". Japan Travel. Japan National Tourism Organization. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "道の駅とは?" [What is a roadside station?]. Michi-no-eki official website (in Japanese).
External links
[edit]- (in Japanese) National Michi-no-Eki Association website
- (in English) Japan Road Bureau website
- Flickr photos 道の駅 (Michi-no-eki)