Field report

Roadside Station Higashimatsushima image

A new spot built in Miyagi Prefecture! ! Introducing three new road stations built in the prefecture! [Miyagi Prefecture]

With new roadside stations being created one after another all over Japan, three new roadside stations have been opened in Miyagi Prefecture over the five years since 2020.

Both are located in coastal towns that were damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, but each one has its own unique features and features, providing vibrancy and enthusiasm for the local area.


Onagawa (Onagawa Town: National Route 398)

Roadside Station Onagawa
Hama Terrace seen from the parking lot

This roadside station is lined with many stores, located on "Brick Michi", a pathway that looks like a pathway heading from JR Onagawa Station in Onagawa Town, which was severely damaged by the earthquake, heading to National Route 398.

Roadside Station Onagawa

On April 3, 2021, " Si Palpia Onagawa ," " Local Market Hama Terrace ," " Onagawa Machinaka Exchange Center ," and " Onagawa Town Travel Information Center Platt " were certified as roadside stations.

Roadside Station Onagawa
Brick Michi with a view of the sea from Onagawa Station side

Furthermore, in April 2025, Onkawa Onsen Yupoppo and Onkawa Fishing Industry Experience Center Again Station were added, which were hot spring facilities inside Onkawa Station building, and the six facilities were added, but road stations with this shape are considered rare in the country.

"Sea Palpier Onagawa" and "Local Market Hama Terrace"

Roadside Station Onagawa

Brick Michi has many open and bright spaces, with tables and chairs lined up in a decent amount.

On nice weather, you can enjoy shopping and dining while looking out at the sea, making it a place for not only tourists but also local residents.

Roadside Station Onagawa
Various stores lined up

Tenants not only have restaurants where you can enjoy Onagawa's flavors, but also have a variety of options, including local seafood and agricultural products, souvenirs, tile and woodwork workshops, music stores and second-hand clothing shops.

Roadside Station Onagawa
Tuna bowl with plenty of natural tuna

The restaurants also have a wide range of genres, from Japanese to Western cuisine, and each restaurant serves delicious dishes, making it a must-visit and enjoy them all.

Hama Terrace
Hama Terrace store

Hama Terrace is a wide selection of specialty products, including fresh fish from Onagawa and processed seafood, as well as food and beverage menus, and offers a large eat-in space.

The former Onagawa Police Box remains of the earthquake

A remains of the fear of the tsunami

The two-story Onagawa Police Box, located just after crossing the national highway from the roadside station, has been hanging over the foundations of the building due to the tsunami and is preserved in its state.

The surrounding walls display panels showing the scenery and disaster situation of Onagawa Town before the earthquake, as well as the process of reconstruction.

Roadside Station Onagawa <Information>

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Ogatsu (Ishinomaki City: Prefectural Route 238 Kamaya Osu Osukatsu Line)

The village on the inkstone
Behind the building is a beautiful ocean.

Ogatsu Town, which merged with Ishinomaki City, is a fishing port town facing the Pacific Ocean and is known as a famous production area for Ogatsu Suzuri.

The village on the inkstone
Roadside station seen from the parking lot

This roadside station is located on April 11, 2021, along the seaside in the center of the Ogatsu district, and is attached to the Ogatsu Insulation Traditional Industry Hall, which conveys its traditions.

The village on the inkstone
Terrace with a view of the dining area and the ocean

there is also Nagisa Haku Station, where you can introduce you to an activity tour of the sea in Ogatsu

Ogatsu Seafood Direct Sales Store (Inside the Tourist and Products Exchange Center)

The village on the inkstone

In addition to seasonal seafood and vegetables caught locally, they also stock processed products, and there are souvenirs that can only be obtained here.

The village on the inkstone
Fish such as the sea bream swim in the aquarium vigorously

There are many aquariums inside the store, where you can see the newly caught fish swimming vigorously.

Two dining options where you can enjoy seafood and mountain produce

The village on the inkstone
Denhachi Sushi is in the foreground, and Umiri is in the back

There is Denhachi Sushi where you can relax in the tatami room, and Misato where you can enjoy soba, udon, curry, ramen and more on the terrace where you can see the ocean .

"Okatsu Insulation Traditional Industry Hall" that leaves local traditions behind for future generations

Ogatsu Inkstone Traditional Industry Hall
Exhibition space at the Inkstone Traditional Industry Hall

This facility features Ogatsu inkstones, such as replicas of inkstones loved by Date Masamune, and inkstones from all over the country, on display, allowing you to experience the history and culture of the inkstone industry.

You can purchase souvenirs made from inkstones and the original materials of the Ogatsu stone.

Roadside Station Piano that anyone can play

Ogatsu Inkstone Traditional Industry Hall

There is an upright piano that a music therapist living in Ogatsu Town won in a gift offer from a music store, allowing local residents and visitors to play freely.

Roadside Station Suzumino Sato Ogatsu <Information>

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Higashimatsushima (Higashimatsushima City: Ichimichi Yuriko Line, Sanriku Expressway Yamoto PA)

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
The wall has a tail fin with the aircraft number of Blue Impulse

It was opened on November 27, 2024 as the 19th road station in Miyagi Prefecture, near Matsushima Air Base, known as the home of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force acrobatic flight team of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Blue Impulse.

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima

From the observation deck on the second floor of the building, decorated in blue and white, you can see the flight training for Blue Impulse, which will be unfolding above Matsushima Air Base.

It is a popular roadside station that has attracted many aviation fans, with over 300,000 visitors in the three months since its opening on February 27, 2025.

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
A children's play area in the plaza overlooking Matsushima Air Base

The roadside stations are connected to city roads, but they are adjacent to Yamoto Parking, which is located on the free section of the Sanriku Expressway, and you can also enter from there.

Popular merchandise area for Blue Impulse goods

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
The sweets are also available in Blue Impulse brand

The store is full of Blue Impulse goods that are only available on the roadside station, and many Blue Impulse fans visit in search of goods that can only be purchased here.

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
An unparalleled selection of Blue Impulse merchandise outlet

In addition, fresh local agricultural products and souvenirs from Higashimatsushima are also available.

A restaurant with a pastel blue color

Matsushima Blue Soft and Gacha

" ZUNDA ZUNDA STATION " is popular Zunda Shake " and " Zunda Man " and blue " Higashimatsushima Blue Cider

Coffee Studio Ishikawa is a coffee shop that has been loved by citizens in Ishinomaki for 30 years, and we recommend Sendai Blue Coffee

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
Bright blue and white restaurant

Highway Kitchen Haya on the second floor is refreshingly pastel blue and white, and you can enjoy meals while watching flight training from the observation terrace.

Tourist information area where you can feel like a pilot

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima

The tourist area where the tourist concierge is on-site has six VR experience boarding seats that allow you to experience the feeling of a pilot on a Blue Impulse.

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
VR boarding experience seat 3 minutes before takeoff

During the 5-minute "flight" with VR goggles and stain-proof sheets, you can experience VR turns and somersaults (fee: 300 yen as a support fee).

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
Lawson (back) seems to be in sync with the road station building in the foreground

The attached convenience store is bright blue Lawson

On the premises, there is the Lawson Higashimatsushima Roadside Station, which suits the blue and white colors of the building, and is open 24 hours a day, making it useful when the merchandise and food and drink areas are closed.

To watch Blue Impulse flight training

Roadside Station Higashimatsujima
The corridor is like a runway

The Blue Impulse training schedule (for one week) has been announced on the official Matsushima Air Base website.

We recommend that you research this before visiting, but it is expected to be quite crowded, so it is best to visit early.

www.mod.go.jp
Blue Impulse Base Air Training | About the Japan Air Self-Defense Force | Ministry of Defense [JASDF] Japan Air Self-Defense Force
https://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/matsushima/hiko/acro/index.html
Official website of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force [JASDF]: News, aircraft introductions, event information, recruitment information

Roadside Station Higashimatsushima <Information>

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summary

Onagawa, Ishinomaki, and Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, where the road stations were introduced in this article are all filled with sad memories of the Great Earthquake, and earthquake remains are left near Onagawa's road stations.

Even after 14 years have passed since then, it still requires time and cooperation to recover.

We hope you will be able to support us by visiting these road stations.

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