Yoichi Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Yoichi Roadside Station (道の駅 余市), formally called Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi (道の駅 スペース・アップルよいち) is one of the roadside stations of Hokkaido. It is located at 6 Chome-4-1 Kurokawacho in the town of Yoichi, Yoichi District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Yoichi Roadside Station

Yoichi Roadside Station Details

Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi is a must-visit stop along National Route 229, located near the intersection with Route 5, right beside the tranquil Yoichi River in Hokkaido. Officially registered on April 17, 1998, as Roadside Station No. 49, this well-loved rest stop offers far more than just a place to take a break—it’s a unique destination packed with discovery, local produce, and fun experiences for all ages.

Yoichi Roadside Station - Yoichi town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Local Products and Space Food Galore

Inside the station’s shop, you’ll find an impressive selection of local goods. Highlights include over 10 varieties of authentic space food, fresh seafood, seasonal fruits, and agricultural products grown right in Yoichi—the town famously known as Hokkaido’s “fruit kingdom.” Be sure to try the homemade ice cream and apple pie made with locally produced fruit and wine—they’re among the top favorites of visitors.

Yoichi Roadside Station product and souvenir corner

Convenient Facilities for Travelers

Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi is designed with traveler comfort in mind. It offers parking for 38 standard vehicles and 5 large vehicles, shared with the Space Dome visitors. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a diaper changing station, and even a free experience corner for kids and families to enjoy.

The toilet area of Yoichi Roadside Station

A Tribute to Space and Science

The station’s star attraction is the Yoichi Space Memorial Museum “Space Dome”, which honors Mamoru Mori, Japan’s first astronaut and a native of Yoichi. Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits about space exploration, enjoy the Digital Planetarium with its immersive CG star displays, and watch the thrilling 3D film “2041 Solar System Mission.” These attractions make the station especially popular with families, students, and space enthusiasts.

Yoichi Space Memorial Museum “Space Dome”

You can buy space goods and foods here

Looking Ahead: Plans for a New and Expanded Roadside Station in Yoichi

While Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi continues to welcome travelers with its unique blend of space-themed attractions and local charm, space—ironically—has become an issue. Over the years, the station has outgrown its current capacity. A major factor was the return of land previously rented from the nearby Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, which had served as the second parking lot. With the distillery expanding its operations, the roadside station was left with reduced space, making it increasingly difficult to accommodate the growing number of visitors.

Yoichi Roadside Station information board and map

To address this, plans were put in place for a new roadside station near the Yoichi Interchange, with a target opening year of 2025. This proposed site, tentatively named “Yoichi”, was even selected as a priority candidate roadside station for FY2019. However, progress has stalled. Negotiations with the private operator chosen through a public proposal system fell through, delaying the project's advancement. As of now, the final registration and construction timeline remains pending, subject to further coordination with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other stakeholders.

Yoichi Roadside Station Stamp

Yoichi Roadside Station Digital Stamp

Yoichi Roadside Station Stamp

Team Nicerio visits Yoichi Roadside Station

My family and I visited Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi on October 7, 2023, the first day of our 3-day “Sports Day 2023” road trip. It also happened to be my 705th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. As part of our ongoing adventure to visit all 179 municipalities in Hokkaido, we’ve also made it a mission to stop by every roadside station in the prefecture and collect their unique roadside station stamps.

During our visit, we didn’t just get the stamp—we also explored the Space Dome, where we learned a lot about space exploration and the inspiring journey of Mamoru Mori, Japan’s first astronaut. It was both an educational and memorable stop for the whole family.

 

Yoichi Roadside Station Admission Fee

It’s FREE to park at the parking area of Yoichi Roadside Station. It’s also FREE to enter the roadside station and use its facilities. However, I highly suggest that you bring cash in case you want to buy souvenirs or snacks at the roadside station.

There is, however, an admission fee if you want to enter the Space Dome.

Adults – 500 yen

Children – 300 yen

Yoichi Roadside Station Operating Hours

• Open Daily:
• Mid-April to October: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• November to Mid-April: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Closed Days:
• Every Monday from November 10 to April 13
• If Monday is a national holiday, the station will be closed the following day instead
• New Year Holidays: Closed from December 28 to January 3

Important Note:

The roadside station stamp is not available during closed hours, so plan your visit accordingly if you're collecting stamps.

 

Why visit Yoichi Roadside Station?

Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi offers a unique blend of space exploration, local culture, and delicious regional flavors that make it a standout stop in Hokkaido. Visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating story of Mamoru Mori, Japan’s first astronaut, through engaging exhibits at the Yoichi Space Memorial Museum (Space Dome), complete with a digital planetarium and a thrilling 3D space mission experience.

Beyond its space-themed attractions, the station showcases Yoichi’s reputation as the “fruit kingdom” of Hokkaido, offering fresh local produce, seasonal fruits, and specialty items like homemade apple pie and ice cream made from locally grown ingredients. For travelers collecting roadside station stamps, it’s also a must-stop on the route.

 

Getting to Yoichi Roadside Station

Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi is conveniently located just 550 meters from Yoichi Station, making it an easy walk for visitors.

Alternatively, you can take the Chuo Bus Company’s Bus #20 Shakotan Line from the Yoichi Eki-mae bus stop. Get off at the Yoichi Uchu Kinenkan-mae bus stop.

• Travel time: Approximately 4 minutes
• Fare: 240 yen

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