[Akita Prefecture] Let's stay at a roadside station! Introducing roadside stations with accommodation facilities in Akita Prefecture!

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 faces the Sea of ​​Japan and is a 5-minute walk from Iwakiminato Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line. It was renovated and reopened in April 2023.

It is operated by a subsidiary of the professional basketball team Akita Northern Happinets and was named Akita Umiyoko based on the concept of Akita's lively sea alley

The auto camping site has power outlets in all sections and also has cottages with air conditioning and heating, allowing you to enjoy outdoor life at Umiyoko

Michikawa Beach on the coast in front of the roadside station , 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 source of the hot spring is a strong sodium chloride spring , and it is effective for cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, chronic gynecological diseases, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue recovery.

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

sells local souvenirs and sweets, as well as local beer " Akura Beer " and wine and juice from grape farm " Toyoshima Farm

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

, you can enjoy local dishes such as Umiyoko Seafood Bowl made with fresh fish , steaks made with Akita Yuri Beef Honjo Udon

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 Akitaumiyoko Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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Ouchi Roadside Station (Yurihonjo City: National Route 105)

This roadside station opened in April 2000 and is nicknamed " Heartport Ouchi

Ugo Iwatani Station on the JR Ugo Main Line by Popo Road , so it can also be used by train, and is also used as a place for local interaction, with a sports park and library.

Poporokko on the premises has a restaurant, a local product corner, a large public bath where you can enjoy natural hot spring baths, and also offers affordable accommodation.

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

Himawari shopping corner inside the terminal has a wide selection of local Ouchi agricultural products and processed goods, including seasonal vegetables and wild plants, as well as local specialties such as " kinu-toba noodles " and " kinu-toba manju ," as well as famous products representing Akita Prefecture.

The natural hot spring " Kusunoki no Yu " is a "weak alkaline mineral spring" that is said to have many benefits, including relieving 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, so you can soothe your tired body after a 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

silken green peas that give the restaurant its name are a specialty of Ouchi.

Ouchi is also famous for its " tororo " (grated yam), and every October, a " tororo rice eating contest " is held.

We recommend the Ouchi Tororo Rice to enjoy the atmosphere of the tournament Tororo " or " Mini Tororo Rice Bowl as a side dish to set meals or noodles

You can also enjoy local dishes such as Akita's specialty " Inaniwa Udon, Triangular Deep-fried Tofu " and " Honjo Ham Fries

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)
• Regular holidays: Open all year round
• URL: Heart Port Ouchi General Exchange Terminal 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

Nearby is Pompokoyama Park you can stay in one of four well-equipped bungalows in Bungalow Village

Ishikawa soba, which has a 300-year history, at the restaurant the direct- Oraho no Yakata , or you can 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
• Regular holidays: Open all year round
• URL: Happo Town Official Website
• URL: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tohoku Regional Development Bureau, Noshiro River and National Highway Office Official Website

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)
• Regular holidays: Open all year round
• URL: Odate 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