"Not Just for Restrooms: Ferris Wheels, Hot Springs, and Glamping at Japanese Rest Areas" [Sunday Japan Culture]

Distinctive Features of Expressway and National Highway Rest Areas
Rest Areas Transformed into Tourist Destinations Highlighting Local Character
Serving as Disaster and Emergency Response Hubs

If you are looking for fun during a road trip, rest areas might be the answer. In Korea, each highway rest area subtly showcases the unique characteristics of its region. They have their own menus and features. Personally, I really like the Geumgang Rest Area on the Gyeongbu Expressway, where you can enjoy a refreshing view of the river.

Japan also has a rest area culture. In fact, rest areas are not only found on expressways but also on national roads. While they are called rest areas, many of them are practically operated as tourist attractions. There are various types, from rest areas with Ferris wheels to those where you can enjoy hot springs. Today, I will introduce you to rest areas in Japan.

First, when it comes to expressway rest areas, Japan has two types: PA and SA. PA stands for "Parking Area" and SA stands for "Service Area." According to NEXCO East Japan, which manages the expressways in eastern Japan, PA is described as a "rest facility providing services to relieve drivers' fatigue or tension," while SA is a "rest facility that can provide services needed by both people and vehicles." PAs generally have parking lots and restrooms, while SAs, in addition to these, have convenience stores, restaurants, and gas stations, making them similar to the typical rest areas we are familiar with.

Awaji Service Area's Ferris Wheel. Awaji Service Area.

There are also many unique SAs. For example, at Awaji Service Area on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, you can ride a Ferris wheel. This Ferris wheel is 65 meters tall and has 40 gondolas, offering a panoramic view of the sea and roads connecting Awaji Island, making it a famous attraction.

But that's not all. The essence of rest areas can be found in those located on regular national roads, called "Michinoeki." The term can be translated as "roadside station" or "place to stay." While PAs and SAs are built by companies that manage expressways, Michinoeki are established by local governments through agreements and by notifying the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. As a result, they are not limited to predetermined locations like expressways, and can be built wherever it is convenient for people to visit by car. This allows them to strongly reflect local characteristics and serve as effective promotional tools for the region.

Michinoeki began in 1993 when the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism started registering rest areas on regular roads, just like those on expressways. Initially, they only offered restrooms and sold simple local specialties. However, starting in 2013, these rest areas began to serve as hubs for regional revitalization policies. They have since been transformed into complex facilities.

A view of the agricultural products market at Kawaba Rural Plaza in Gunma Prefecture. Kawaba Rural Plaza.

The most famous example is Kawaba Rural Plaza in Gunma Prefecture. This is a small village with a population of only 3,000, and when Michinoeki was first established there, it repeatedly ran deficits. However, by focusing on the concepts of rural life and tourism, they developed original products such as soft-serve ice cream, draft beer, and cheese made from locally produced milk. They also created attractions such as a grass sledding hill and a pottery workshop for children on a spacious site. As a result, the site attracted as many as 2.4 million visitors in 2022 alone, making it a hugely popular destination. It is no longer just a rest area, but essentially a tourist spot in its own right.

With the success of Michinoeki like this, local governments began to introduce them competitively. Today, there are more than 1,200 Michinoeki across Japan. Various other facilities have also emerged. For example, at Michinoeki in Mutsuzawa-cho, Chiba Prefecture, visitors can enjoy hot springs. There are regular baths, open-air baths, and both dry and steam saunas. You can even enjoy meals such as curry and yakisoba in the rest area. In Takanezawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture, a glamping site has been created along an artificial pond, where visitors can enjoy barbecues on wooden decks.

In particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic when overseas travel was restricted, "micro-tourism," or short trips by car to nearby areas, became popular in Japan. During this time, Michinoeki attracted attention as hubs for rediscovering local regions.

Promotional image of the hot spring at Michinoeki in Mutsuzawa-cho, Chiba Prefecture. Mutsuzawa Michinoeki.

In fact, Michinoeki are not only used for tourism but also play a valuable role in preparing for local disasters and emergencies, as their large parking lots can be utilized. For example, during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, many rest areas, including Michinoeki, were used as evacuation centers or bases for Self-Defense Force vehicles. Since 2021, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has selected and managed "disaster prevention Michinoeki" among those with parking lots of at least 2,500 square meters and with independent power generation capabilities, such as solar power, in the event of a blackout.

Since Japan began experiencing regional depopulation earlier than Korea, it seems that such ideas emerged more quickly. The fact that rest areas can be utilized as tourist attractions to revitalize regions is a great idea. With the autumn weather making it a perfect time for outings, why not stop by a rest area to ensure both safe driving and memorable experiences?