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| Akaigawa Roadside Station Revisited 2023 |
My family and I visited Akaigawa Roadside
Station (道の駅 あかいがわ) for the first
time last August 21, 2022, which was the 3rd day of our “From Osaka
with Love” Road Trip with our Japanese family. We revisited it almost a year
later on April 1, 2023, during our 2023 Birthday Road Trip. It was my 516th
day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme.
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| Akaigawa Roadside Station - Akaigawa village, Hokkaido Prefecture |
It was late winter when we revisited the
roadside station, so there was still plenty of snow at the backside of the
roadside station. Thankfully, the parking area in the front was already cleared
of snow. During our visit, we had our breakfast inside the roadside station
as we still had plenty of towns to visit around Mt. Yotei.
For those who weren’t able to read my first
article about Akaigawa Roadside Station, here’s a summary of what I wrote:
Akaigawa Roadside Station facade
Akaigawa Roadside Station is a charming
stop located along National Route 393, also known as Maple Highway 393, which
connects the bustling Sapporo area with the picturesque Niseko Dounan region.
This station sits at a historically significant spot that once housed a
government post office from the Meiji era to the early Showa era, making it an
important transportation hub for centuries.
Inside Akaigawa Roadside Station
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| Kitchen Maple Street |
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| Akaigawa Roadside Station toilet area |
Today, Akaigawa Roadside Station offers
more than just a place to rest. It features a direct sales store showcasing
fresh agricultural products grown in the fertile caldera basin, surrounded by
majestic mountains. The road from the station to Niseko is a scenic drive,
offering spectacular views of the iconic Mt. Yotei, making it a popular route
for travelers seeking both convenience and natural beauty.
Team Nicerio revisits Akaigawa Roadside Station
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| Ella got an Akarin plushie. Akarin is Akaigawa's mascot |
Registered as a roadside station on April
15, 2015, with Registration No. 115, Akaigawa Roadside Station continues to be
a vital stop for visitors exploring this scenic part of Hokkaido. Whether
you're shopping for local produce or enjoying the breathtaking landscapes, this
station offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural charm.
Akaigawa Roadside Station Admission Fee
It’s FREE to park and use some of the
facilities of the roadside station. However, I highly recommend that you bring
cash if you visit, just in case you want to buy some souvenirs or snacks sold at
the roadside station.
Akaigawa Roadside Station Operating Hours
Akaigawa Roadside Station is open from 8:30
AM to 6 PM from May to October and 9 AM to 5 PM from November to April.
Akaigawa Roadside Station is closed during
the New Year’s Holiday (January 1 – 3).
If you’re collecting roadside station
stamps, be mindful of its operating time as you won’t be able to get the stamp
when it’s already closed.
Why visit Akaigawa Roadside Station?
Akaigawa Roadside Station is a must-visit
destination offering a unique mix of history, local culture, and stunning
natural beauty. Located along National Route 393, the station sits on the site
of a former post office from the Meiji and early Showa eras, making it a
historically significant stop. It’s also a great place to purchase fresh,
locally grown agricultural products from the surrounding caldera basin. The
road leading to Niseko offers spectacular views of Mt. Yotei, further enhancing the
station's charm. With its combination of historical significance, scenic
drives, local produce, and convenient location, Akaigawa Roadside Station is
the perfect spot to explore the beauty of Hokkaido. Aside from that, if you're "hunting" for the Pokémon manhole covers of Hokkaido, the Akaigawa Pokémon manhole cover is installed outside the Akaigawa Roadside Station.
Getting to Akaigawa Roadside Station
From Sapporo Station, ride the Hakodate Line and get off at Yoichi Station. From there, walk for about a minute to the Yoichi Eki Mae bus stop.
Ride the Mura Bus (Tokiwa) and get off at the Akaigawa Roadside Station bus stop (道の駅あかいがわ).
Travel Time: 2 hours and 36 minutes
Fare: 1,590 yen
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