Expressway Rest Stops in Japan
Many people probably use expressways for long-distance travel by car. One of the pleasures of using expressways is the service area. Service areas are rest areas where anyone can stop by for free.
Don't underestimate them as mere rest stops! It is a food paradise filled with local attractions! It is a sightseeing spot and a space designed to relieve the fatigue of driving.
It is one of the places you should definitely stop by when you go to Japan for a drive.
Types of Rest Stops
Service Area (SA): Large-scale facilities with restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, etc.
Parking areas (PA): Smaller than service areas, with refreshments and rest areas.
*Both types of parking information can be found on signs while driving on the highway.
Service Area Attractions
Information Corner
The Information Corner provides fare information, traffic and local information, baby room rental, and free drinking water and tea. Commemorative stamps are also available to commemorate your visit.
Local gourmet foods and souvenirs:
Visitors can enjoy souvenirs and gourmet foods made from local products of each region. There are also plenty of treats using local ingredients at the food court and food stalls! The stores in each service area are different, so stopping at many of them is one of the ways to enjoy your trip.
Rest area: A spacious rest area is available for visitors to relax after a tiring drive. A highway hotel and other facilities are available for overnight stays, and footbaths and other amenities are also provided.
Kids' Space: With playground equipment and rest areas for children, families can use this space with peace of mind.
Dog Run: Ideal for driving with your dog. It is nice to have a space where pets can take a break as well.
Observatory: Some service areas have observatories from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery like Mt. Fuji, Japan's World Heritage Site.
The newest toilets in highway SA/PAs are amazing!
Cleanliness and Maintenance
Restrooms on Japanese expressways are regularly cleaned and maintained for cleanliness; many are cleaned 24 hours a day, making them clean and comfortable for users.
Diverse Facilities
Restrooms are often equipped with Western and Japanese style toilets, barrier-free toilets, and ostomate-accessible toilets. Many are also equipped with powder rooms, nursing rooms, and children's restrooms, making them suitable for families and people with physical disabilities.
Introduction of the latest technology
The latest restroom technology, such as washlet toilets and automatic-opening/closing toilet seats, has been introduced. In addition, there is a system that digitally displays restroom congestion status, allowing users to check in advance which restrooms are available. Other measures have also been taken to reduce the number of lost and found items by installing “lost-and-found” prevention trays.
Clean and Luxurious
Several of Japan's expressways have service areas with particularly luxurious and beautiful restrooms, which have become a popular tourist attraction.
Highway Hotels
Some service areas are equipped with highway hotels for safe and secure long-distance driving.
They are the perfect place for drivers and their families to take a rest during a long drive or trip, and to rest their bodies in preparation for the next day's drive.
The attraction of a highway hotel is its excellent location.
Located in service areas and parking areas, you can check in without exiting the highway.
Since there is no need to get off the expressway, there are no additional charges for getting on the expressway again, and travel time is reduced, so time and money can be used more efficiently.
Recommended Service Areas
There are many attractive service areas throughout Japan, which are popular not only as rest areas for driving and traveling, but also as sightseeing and gourmet spots. Here are six service areas and parking areas that we particularly recommend.
1. Ebina Service Area (Tomei Expressway)
Location: Kanagawa Prefecture
Characteristics: Number of users, number of vehicles, and number of restaurants and other stores and sales are the highest in Japan!
The most popular service area in Japan. There are many local delicacies, and the “melon bread and shumai bento”, a specialty of Kanagawa, is famous. There are also many rare delicacies that can only be found here. The spacious area is like a shopping mall! The restrooms and rest areas are luxurious and comfortable.
2. Kariya Highway Oasis (Ise Bay Expressway)
Location: Aichi Prefecture
Characteristics: With a Ferris wheel, natural hot springs, and footbaths, this leisure area resembles a theme park.
Visitors can refresh themselves at the well-stocked food court with a variety of popular restaurants, and at the “Natural Hot Spring Kakitsubata” where you can also enjoy sauna and yoga. Visitors can sample food at “EBISENBEI NO SATO” (shrimp cracker village) and enjoy gourmet food and shopping! The highlight of the tour is the wonderful VIP restrooms. Enjoy not only the spaciousness, but also the amazing gimmick of the “floating toilet remote control,” which allows you to operate the toilet without touching it.
3. Takarazuka North Service Area (Shin-Meishin Expressway)
Location: Hyogo Prefecture
Features: Centralized upper and lower lines, largest retail building area and largest number of parking spaces in western Japan
A southern European landscape inspired by the “Flower Path” around Takarazuka Revue. It is truly “the Takarazuka”. Breathtaking scenery spreads out. Not only can visitors enjoy gourmet foods such as Kobe beef croquettes and Akashiyaki, a specialty of Hyogo Prefecture, but also free talk shows by Takarazuka Revue OGs, a must for Takarazuka Revue fans, will be held.
Topiary that makes you feel Osamu Tezuka. You can also buy limited-edition “Firebird and Astro Boy” goods here, which are three-dimensionally pruned shrubs!
4. Fujikawa Service Area (Tomei Expressway)
Location: Shizuoka Prefecture
Feature: The closest service area to Mt.
The view from the downhill observation deck is breathtaking! Fuji River and is famous among photographers for its spectacular collaboration of the Fuji River and Mt. Fuji River. The service area and roadside station “Fujikawa Rakuza” is located on the up line. Fuji, and is well known not only as a place to take a break but also as a place to go out of one's way. There is a wide variety of Shizuoka's specialty teas and sweets, and you can enjoy a meal at the observation lounge while relaxing and enjoying the view.
5. Hasuda Service Area (Tohoku Expressway)
Location: Saitama Prefecture
Features: Renovated in 2019, this is one of the largest service areas on the Tohoku Expressway.
There is a market where you can buy fresh produce, meat, fresh fish, etc. It is a great place to procure ingredients before a BBQ! Be sure to taste the local seasonal produce. The food court also offers a wide variety of local specialties unique to Saitama, with popular restaurants offering ramen, curry, and other dishes, as well as local Saitama specialties available for purchase. A vast dog run is set up so you can take a leisurely meal break after playing with your dog.
6. Nagashino-shitaragahara Parking Area (New Tomei Expressway)
Location: Aichi Prefecture
Feature: Nagashino Shitara-hara is the site of the Battle of Nagashino, fought in 1575 between the allied forces of Nobunaga Oda and Ieyasu Tokugawa and Katsuyori Takeda.
In the area, there are exhibits and tourist information on the theme of the Warring States period, as well as a wide variety of souvenirs related to warlords. Nearby are the ruins of Nagashino Castle and Shitara Historical Museum, where visitors can experience the Warring States period.
Have you seen somewhere that piqued your interests?
Service areas are more than just a place to take a break; they are spots that add to the enjoyment of your trip. We hope you will stop by and take a drive.
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