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

As car camping trips at roadside stations are experiencing a quiet boom, the number of roadside stations in the Tohoku region that offer comfortable and safe accommodation facilities is increasing

As of September 2024, there are four roadside stations in Akita Prefecture where you can stay overnight in accommodations or sleep in your car at an auto campsite

In this article, we will introduce in detail two roadside stations that we particularly recommend

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Roadside Station Iwaki Akitaumiyoko (Yurihonjo City: National Route 7)

Roadside Station Eki IwakiIwaki) faces the Sea of ​​Japan and is a 5-minute walk from Iwaki-Minato Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line. It reopened in April 2023 after renovations.

the professional basketball team "Akita Northern HappinetsOperated by a subsidiary ofAkita's lively seaside alleybased on the concept ofAkita Umi Yokoit was named

This auto campsite has power outlets at every site and also offers air-conditioned cottages,Umiyokoallowing you to enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and playing on the beach at

in front of the roadside stationMichikawa Beach, but it was sadly closed last year due to various circumstances.

Enjoy auto camping and a stay in a private cottage

All 16 auto camping sites have one parking space and a 100-volt AC power outlet, and bonfires are allowed on the site

The kitchen is covered, and there are barrier-free toilets with private rooms, a coin laundry, coin showers, and high-speed Wi-Fi that can be used outdoors, so you can stay comfortably 24 hours a day

The five cottages are equipped with barrier-free toilets and bathrooms, kitchens, heating and air conditioning, and two bedrooms (with two beds) that can accommodate up to four people

All buildings have balconies with ocean views, allowing you to relax and enjoy the sunset over the Sea of ​​Japan right in front of you

Natural hot spring "Minato no Yu"

The hot spring source is a "sodium chloride strong saline spring," and its benefits include treating cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, chronic gynecological diseases, poor circulation, and fatigue.

You can relax in the authentic sauna, and enjoy bathing in the large public bath or open-air bath while watching the sun set over the Sea of ​​Japan

Umiyoko Direct Sales Store and Umiyoko Shoten

The direct sales store sells fresh, seasonal vegetables grown in the surrounding area, picked that morning, so if you're planning on enjoying camp cooking, it's a good idea to get your ingredients here

In addition to local souvenirs and sweets, the shop alsoAkura Beer" and wines and juices from the grape farm "Toyoshima Farmsells

Why not enjoy a local dinner party and a sunset over the Sea of ​​Japan?

Umiyoko Shokudo, Umiyoko Stand, and Umiyoko Fast Food Stall Village

made with fresh fishUmiyoko Seafood Bowl, steaks made with the brand-name beef "Akita Yuri Beefsuch asHonjo Udon, you can enjoy dishes

Umiyoko Stand is a shop where you can get soft serve ice cream, gelato, and sweets, as well as light meals such as freshly fried croquettes and Yuri beef hamburgers

Also, at the seaside food stall village, Koshinoya, you can enjoy light meals such as ramen, yakitori, grilled oysters, taiyaki, and rice balls in a beach hut-like atmosphere

Roadside Station Iwaki Akitaumiyoko <Information>

• Facility name: Roadside Station Iwaki Akitaumiyoko
• Address: 192-43 Shintsurugata, Michikawa, Iwaki, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-73-2700
• Opening hours: Direct sales store/shop 9:00-18:30, restaurant 11:00-18:30 (LO 18:00), stand/food stall village 10:00-17:00,
• Opening hours: Minato no Yu 9:00-20:00 (reception until 19:30)
• Closed: Second Wednesday
• URL:Roadside Station Iwaki Akita Umiyoko Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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Ouchi Roadside Station (Yurihonjo City: National Route 105)

"Heartport Ouchi," opened in April 2000.

to Ugo-Iwaya Station on the JR Ugo Main Line by "Popo Road," making it accessible by train, and it also serves as a local community hub with facilities such as a sports park and a library.

located on the premises,Poporokkofeatures a restaurant and a souvenir shop, as well as a large public bath where you can enjoy a natural hot spring bath, and also offers affordable accommodation.

What is the comprehensive exchange terminal "Heart Port Ouchi Poporokko"?

shop inside the terminalHimawarioffers a wide variety of local agricultural products and processed goods from Ouchi, including seasonal vegetables and wild plants, local specialties such as "Kinusaya Noodles" and "Kinusaya Manju," and other famous products representing Akita Prefecture.

The natural hot spring "Kusunoki no Yu" is a "weakly alkaline mineral spring" said to have many benefits, including relief from neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue. In addition to the large public bath, there is also an open-air bath, a bubble bath, and a sauna, perfect for relaxing after a long drive.

There are Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms (twin and single), and all rooms are equipped with amenities such as towels and toilets with heated toilet seats, and the Western-style rooms have a unit bath

As an activity, there is a 32-hole grand golf course, with low fees for use and equipment rental

Grand golf is a sport with simple rules that can be enjoyed by the whole family

Restaurant Kinusaya: Enjoy local cuisine and B-grade gourmet food

, refersKinusayaendou" (snow peasto a local specialty of Ouchi.

Ouchi is also a famous production area for "tororo" (grated yam), and every October, a "Tororo Rice Eating Contest" is held there.

To enjoy the atmosphere of the tournament,Ouchi Tororo Meshi," or as a side dish to your set meal or noodle dish, try "Tororo" or "Mini Tororo Donburiwe recommend

In addition,Inaniwa Udonlocal dishes such astriangular fried tofu) and "Honjo Ham Fryyou can enjoy

Ouchi Roadside Station <Information>

• Facility name: Roadside Station Ouchi "Heart Port Ouchi Poporokko"
• Address: 36 Nishikoshi, Iwatani-cho, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0184-62-1126
• Opening hours: Farmers' market 9:00-17:00 (16:30 in winter), restaurant 11:15-14:00, 17:30-20:00 (last orders 19:30)
• Closed: Open all year round
• URL:General Exchange Terminal Heartport Ouchi Poporokko Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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There are still roadside stations in Akita where you can stay overnight!

In addition to the two roadside stations in Yurihonjo that we have introduced in detail so far, there are two other roadside stations in Akita Prefecture that have accommodation facilities where you can stay overnight

Although it will be brief, we will also introduce these two roadside stations

Minehama Roadside Station (Yamamoto District, Happo Town: National Route 101)

This roadside station is located at the foot of the Shirakami Mountains and close to the Sea of ​​Japan

NearbyPonpokoyama ParkisBungalow Villageyou can stay in one of the four well-equipped bungalows located in

the direct-Oraho nothe restaurantHappou, which has a 300-year history, atIshikawa sobaYakata," or you could buy fresh ingredients at the new vegetable direct sales corner and cook your own meal.

Also, depending on the day, you can try making soba noodles, so if the timing is right, we recommend enjoying the soba noodles you have made yourself

Minehama Roadside Station <Information>

• Facility name: Minehama Roadside Station
• Address: 147-6 Honkoyachi, Minehama, Numata, Happo-cho, Yamamoto-gun, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0185-76-4649
• Opening hours: Vegetable sales corner 9:00-18:00, restaurant 11:00-16:00
• Closed: Open all year round
• URL:Happo Town Official Website
• URL:Official website of the Noshiro River and National Highway Office, Tohoku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

GOOGLE MAP

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Yatate Pass Roadside Station (Odate City: National Route 7)

This roadside station, which serves as a sort of "teahouse on the mountain pass," is located at Yatate Pass, on the border between Odate, the hometown of the Akita dog and known for its bento boxes and Kiritanpo, and Aomori Prefecture

We recommend the "Toge no Wappa Meshi" served at the restaurant, and at the adjacent "Odate Yatate Heights" you can enjoy a natural hot spring bath in an open-air bath and stay overnight

Yatate Pass Roadside Station <Information>

• Facility name: Roadside Station Yatate Pass (Odate Yatate Heights)
• Address: 311 Nagahashirijinba, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-51-2311
• Opening hours: Restaurant 7:30-9:00 (LO 8:30), 11:30-14:30 (LO 14:30), 17:00-20:00 (LO 19:30)
• Closed: Open all year round
• URL:Odachi Yatate Heights Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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summary

Akita Prefecture has the most roadside stations with attached (adjacent) accommodation facilities among the six Tohoku prefectures

There are many ways to enjoy lodging at roadside stations, such as sleeping in your car in an auto-camping trip, enjoying the outdoors in a bungalow, or staying in a comfortable hot spring hotel