Asahikawa Roadside Station (道の駅 あさひかわ) is one of 128 roadside stations in Hokkaido. It is located at 6 Chome-1-12 Kagura 4 Jo, Asahikawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station (道の駅 あさひかわ) |
Asahikawa Roadside Station Details
Asahikawa Roadside Station is located between the Biei and Chippubetsu rivers. It is built adjacent to National Route 237 to serve as a rest stop for those traveling to and from Hokkaido's Hidaka Region.
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Asahikawa Roadside Station was registered as a roadside station last August 18, 2000, and was given registration number 66.
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| Asappy - Asahikawa City's mascot |
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| Ella with Asappy |
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station stamp |
Asahikawa Roadside Station Souvenir Store
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station Souvenir Store |
The roadside station houses a souvenir store that offers a wide range of specialty products from the Kamikawa Region and also the neighboring Rumoi and Soya regions.
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station food court |
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| I tried the Asahikawa Ramen with extra menma |
The roadside station also houses a food court. Some of the stores here are actually “extensions” of famous restaurants in the city. You can even try the famed Asahikawa ramen here.
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| DAPAS |
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| You should try the coffee jelly soft cream |
In addition to the eateries, the roadside station also has DAPAS, a bakery, and a café. It offers soft cream ice cream as well as freshly baked bread. Speaking of freshly baked bread, you might be able to get some that are still warm from the oven.
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| These are the manhole covers outside Asahikawa Roadside Station |
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| Asahikawa Manhole Cover |
Last December 7, 2021, Pokemon Ltd installed the Asahikawa Pokefuta (Pokemon Lid) next to the main entrance of Asahikawa Roadside Station. This makes the station one of the 34 Pokestops in Hokkaido Prefecture. The Pokefuta features the Alolan Vulpix with Eiscue and Cubchoo. |
| Free travel brochures |
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| Tourist information corner |
My family and I visited Asahikawa Roadside Station for the first time last May 14, 2022, which was my 194th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. The roadside station was the first roadside station that we visited as a family. The funny thing was, we went there on foot as we didn’t have a car yet. It was because we treat roadside stations as tourist destinations. In a way, roadside stations can be a great source of travel-related information and also products and food that are affordable.
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| We tried the coffee jelly soft cream of DAPAS |
Although we didn’t eat in the food court during our visit, we tried the coffee jelly soft cream of DAPAS. We also bought some omiyage for our friends in the souvenir store. Aside from that, I also introduced the hobby of collecting stamps to my daughter.
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| Team Nicerio visits Asahikawa Roadside Station |
Hokkaido Road Station Stamp Rally 2022
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station Stamp |
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| Asahikawa Roadside Station Stamp |
Overall, it was a very meaningful trip as it cemented our goal of visiting all 128 roadside stations in Hokkaido.
Asahikawa Roadside Station Admission Fee
It’s FREE to enter and explore the Asahikawa Roadside Station.
Parking is also FREE. However, keep in mind that the parking space here is limited and it fills up pretty quickly during the weekends.
Regardless, please bring money if you want to buy souvenirs and also try the food in the food court and DAPAS.
Asahikawa Roadside Station Operating Hours
Asahikawa Roadside Station is open from 9 AM – 9 PM.
Souvenir shops 9 AM -7 PM
Food court (4 shops) 11 AM -8 PM (Last order 7:30 PM)
DAPAS 10 AM- 6 PM
Asahikawa Roadside Station is closed during New Year.
Why visit Asahikawa Roadside Station?
Asahikawa Roadside Station is a perfect stop if you’re driving through Asahikawa as it offers free parking, affordable delicious food, and also souvenir products. It’s a must-visit if you collect roadside station stamps and also if you are planning to take pictures of Poke Lid (Pokefuta).Getting to Asahikawa Roadside Station
The best way to visit Asahikawa Roadside Station is by car. Just follow National Route 237 going to Furano and you'll see the roadside station in front of the dome-shaped Dohoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena.
If you're going to use public transportation, head to JR Asahikawa Station. From there, the Asahikawa Roadside Station is about 1.1 kilometers southwest. Cross the Crystal Bridge and follow Showa Road. The roadside station is on your right side.
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I didn't know that roadside stations are places to visit now. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Actually, most of the tourist information centers are found in them. Aside from that, you can also get the roadside station stamp there too.
DeleteThat ramen looks delicious. I would include Asahikawa Roadside Station to my itinerary.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Enjoy your visit to Asahikawa Roadside Station.
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