[Yamagata Prefecture] Stay at a roadside station! Introducing roadside stations in Yamagata Prefecture with accommodation facilities!

As car camping trips at roadside stations become a quiet trend, did you know that there are an increasing number of roadside stations where you can stay safely?

This article introduces two roadside rest areas in Yamagata Prefecture that have " RV parks " where you can safely stay overnight in your vehicle

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Roadside Station Yamagata Zao (Omote Zao, Yamagata City: National Route 13)

This is a brand new roadside station that just opened on December 3, 2023. Together with the adjacent "Gutto Yamagata," it handles and widely introduces a large number of products from Yamagata Prefecture.

The artificial turf event plaza and spacious multi-purpose hall host a variety of events promoting Yamagata Prefecture, and the roadside station is also expected to " create new businesses ."

Large car camping space

Each space is the size of two standard cars and can accommodate tables, chairs, etc., and each of the five spaces has a power outlet (100V/15A)

You can use the toilets at the " Information Corner ," which is a general information center near the overnight parking area, 24 hours a day, and you can also use the changing rooms in the bus waiting area at the roadside station.

However, there are no shower or bathing facilities within the hotel, and the nearest hot spring facility is about 1.3 km away, so we recommend taking a bath before parking

You can use a portable stove to cook in the car camping area, but the rule is that you must use it on a table or somewhere similar, and you must be careful when handling fire

Please note that bonfires and fireworks are prohibited in the space and the adjacent event square

"Imoni Square" with a washing area

The " Imoni Plaza ," a space dedicated to enjoying Yamagata's autumn local dish " Imoni ," is used for events where people can enjoy Imoni without bringing anything, as well as for selling Imoni from food trucks and other vendors.

It is close to the car camping space, and you can use the washing area in this Imoni Square after your meal

The drains may be closed when the plaza is not in use, but please be sure to return them to their original positions after use

Although the street lights at Imoni Square are turned off at midnight, there are sensor lights installed that light up when you approach, so you can feel safe even at night

Procedures for using car camping spaces at "Yamagata Zao"

Upon check-in, you will pay the fee at the general information desk and receive a " dedicated power key ," a " dedicated waste collection container key, " and a " usage permit ."

If you check out before 9:00 AM the day after your stay, when the general information desk opens, please return your keys and permit to the " return box "

When disposing of garbage in the designated garbage collection container, please purchase the designated garbage bags and separate the garbage before disposing of it

Recommended Yamagata delicacies that can be purchased at roadside stations

Inside the roadside station building, there are booths for four popular shops in Yamagata right now

All of the dishes are made with generous amounts of local ingredients and are highly rated, and you can also enjoy them at the eat-in corner set up in front of the store

• Yamagata Pudding Roadside Station Zao: Yamagata's first specialty fruit pudding shop, made with local ingredients.
• SLOWJAM Roadside Station Yamagata Zao: Sweets such as canelés and a carefully curated cafe
• ESCARGOT ZAO BAUM STUDIO: Freshly baked, piping hot Baumkuchen
• TAKAHASHI BEEF FARM: Fresh meat and processed products delivered directly from our own farm.

"Yamagata Zao" and "Gutto Yamagata"

The adjacent product center, "Gutto Yamagata," opened in 1984, but was renovated and reopened in 2023 as a souvenir shop and food and drink facility in conjunction with the newly constructed roadside station

The roadside station building and "Gutto Yamagata" are connected by an indoor walkway, allowing you to move between the two facilities without getting wet, even on rainy or snowy days.

Additionally, there are five off-site shops from famous stores in Yamagata Prefecture on the facility grounds that can also be used for shopping and dining

Please note that Gutto Yamagata is open from 9am to 5pm (food court opens from 10am), including the shops outside the building, so if you plan to sleep in your car, it is best to do your shopping and eat early

Roadside Station Yamagata Zao <Information>

• Facility name: Roadside Station Yamagata Zao
• Address: 79-1 Omote Zao, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 023-676-6868
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: None
• Car camping space: Check-in from 14:00 to 17:00, check-out at 10:00 the next morning
• URL:Yamagata Zao Roadside Station Official Website

Yamagata ＜Information＞

• Facility name: Gutto Yamagata (Yamagata Prefecture Tourism and Products Center Co., Ltd.)
• Address: 68 Omote Zao, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 023-688-5500
• Business hours: 9:00-17:30
• Closed: None
• URL:Gutto Yamagata Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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Takahata Roadside Station (Takahata Town, Higashiokitama District: National Route 113)

This roadside station is located in Takahata Town, also known as " Mahoroba no Sato ," a region famous for its delicious fruits and wines, and also as a filming location for the movie " Swing Girls ."

It was built adjacent to the " Mahoroba Ancient Village Historical Park " with the aim of disseminating tourism information about Takahata Town

Convenient RV park close to the building

There is an RV park with power outlets for four vehicles, and the space is large enough for one vehicle, so you can also use tables and chairs

The RV park is open any time between April 1st and November 30th, excluding the snowy winter months

Any garbage generated during your stay can be disposed of by purchasing designated garbage bags at the roadside station

There are changing rooms and shower rooms (for a fee) that can be used from April 1st to November 30th, but the shower rooms are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is best to check in advance and if they are not available, use a nearby hot spring facility

Free Wi-Fi is available at the information desk and restaurant area

Jomon Shop and Farm Products Direct Sales Store "Mahoroba Daichi no Kai" and "Restaurant Jomon"

The restaurant prides itself on its soba noodles, but the "Jomon Hamburg Steak," devised by the women's division of the local chamber of commerce, is also popular, as are the "Yonezawa Beef Croquettes" and various kinds of gelato.

However, the restaurant closes at 4:45 PM, so we recommend coming early for dinner

Also, the "Jomon Shop" and the agricultural product direct sales store "Mahoroba Daichi no Kai" are open until 5:30 PM, so you might want to get your dinner there.

Takahata Roadside Station <Information>

• Facility name: Takahata Roadside Station
• Address: 2072-1 Akutsu, Takahata-cho, Higashiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0238-52-5433
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: None
• Car camping space: Check-in 13:00-16:30, check-out 9:00-10:00 the next morning
• URL:Takahata Roadside Station Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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summary

In recent years, sleeping in cars in parking lots has become a common problem at roadside stations, and unfortunately, it seems that an increasing number of facilities are banning it

Among these roadside stations, some have hotel-like accommodation facilities or RV parks for sleeping in your car, allowing you to stay overnight without any reservations

Unlike sleeping in your car in a parking lot, it will cost more, but why not try using an RV park where you can stay safely?

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