A roadside station (道の駅) is a government-designated rest area found along roads and highways in Japan. In addition to providing places for travelers to rest, they are intended to promote local tourism and trade. Shops may sell local produce, snacks, souvenirs, and other goods. All roadside stations provide 24-hour access to parking, public toilets, directional and tourism information, and other facilities. As of August 2024, there are 1221 roadside stations across Japan: 128 in Hokkaido, 175 in the Tōhoku region, 188 in the Kantō region, 84 in the Hokuriku region, 136 in the Chūbu region, 158 in the Kansai (Kinki) region, 108 in the Chūgoku region, 91 in Shikoku, and 153 across both Kyushu and Okinawa.

[Roadside Station Seiryunosato Hijikawa

(道の駅 清流の里ひじかわ) in Ehime | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Roadside///Station///Seiryunosato///Hijikawa.jpg]