Ashoro Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Ashoro Roadside Station (道の駅 足寄町), formally called Roadside Station “Ashoro Ginga Hall 21” (道の駅 あしょろ銀河ホール21), is one of the roadside stations of Hokkaido. It is located at 1 Chome-21 Kita 1 Jo in the town of Ashoro, Ashoro District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Ashoro Roadside Station

Ashoro Roadside Station Details

Located in the heart of Tokachi, Ashoro Roadside Station "Ginga Hall 21" is more than just a rest stop — it’s a place where local history, music, and community spirit come together. Officially registered as a roadside station on August 9, 2004 (Registration No. 84), this facility was originally built as Ashoro Station for the Hokkaido Chihoku Highland Railway’s “Furusato Ginga Line.” Although the line was discontinued in 2006, the station building was reborn as a roadside attraction that celebrates Ashoro’s story.

Ashoro Roadside Station - Ashoro town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Managed by the NPO Ashoro Tourism Association, the station reopened on April 18, 2011, offering a wide range of facilities, including a museum corner, local shops, a restaurant, and a community hall. In 2021, both the indoor and outdoor restrooms were completely renovated, making them bright, clean, and traveler-friendly.

Ashoro town map

Ashoro Roadside Station Facade

Chiharu Matsuyama's Footprints (Stone Monument)

Yottemina (寄って美菜)

Inside Yottemina

Step Into the Past: The Furusato Ginga Line Exhibition

One of the highlights of Roadside Station "Ashoro Ginga Hall 21" is the Hometown Galaxy Line Information Corner, which recreates the platform, tracks, and carriages of the beloved Furusato Ginga Line. This nostalgic display tells the story of the railway that served Ashoro for 95 years and remained a symbol of local life and connection.

Chiharu Matsuyama Corner

Chiharu Matsuyama Corner

Chiharu Matsuyama

Music lovers will appreciate the Chiharu Matsuyama Corner, dedicated to the famous singer-songwriter born in Ashoro. This small gallery showcases his stage costumes, album history, and personal memorabilia, giving visitors a glimpse into his musical journey rooted in his hometown.

Galaxy Hall: A Space for the Community

On the second floor, you’ll find the Galaxy Hall, a multi-purpose venue used for concerts, lectures, and community events. It serves as a hub for local gatherings, keeping the spirit of the town alive through art, music, and culture.

Inside Ashoro Roadside Station

Kid's Space

Hometown Galaxy Line Information Exhibition Corner

Roadside Station Bakery

Roadside Station Souvenir Shop

Ashoro Roadside Station toilet area

Shop, Dine, and Relax

The Roadside Station Restaurant offers a mix of Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. Popular dishes include the Ashoro Bento, filled with locally produced Rawanbuki (the largest butterbur in Japan), and the Chicken Nanban Set Meal, a favorite among local families. The restaurant is family-friendly, with children’s chairs, small bowls, and utensils available.

The Shop & Bakery is perfect for souvenir hunting. You’ll find local cheese made from fresh Ashoro milk, products made with Rawanbuki—a plant recognized as a Hokkaido Heritage Site—and delicious cheesecakes. The bakery’s freshly baked bread is also a local favorite.

Ashoro Pokémon Manhole Cover

Ashoro Pokémon Manhole Cover

Family-Friendly Spaces

For families traveling with kids, the newly added Kids’ Space provides a safe and fun play area for children up to elementary school age. The nursing room has also been upgraded with both bed-type and standing diaper changing tables for added convenience.

Starting April 2025, shops and restaurants inside the facility will be closed every Thursday, except during Golden Week and the summer season, so plan your visit accordingly.

Ashoro Roadside Station stamp

Ashoro Roadside Station digital stamp

Ashoro Roadside Station stamp

Team Nicerio visits Ashoro Roadside Station

My family and I visited Ashoro Roadside Station for the first time on November 5, 2023, the third day of our three-day Culture Day Road Trip. This visit also marked my 734th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goal, we make it a point to visit all the roadside stations of Hokkaido. During our visit, we made sure to get the roadside station stamp for our collection. We also explored the roadside station grounds, saw and took photos of the Ashoro Pokémon manhole cover, which is one of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals.

Ashoro Roadside Station Admission Fee

It’s FREE to park, enter, and explore Ashoro Roadside Station. However, it’s highly recommended that you bring cash just in case you want to buy souvenirs and special products from the shop inside the roadside station. You might also want to try the food from its restaurant and bakery.

Ashoro Roadside Station Operating Hours

From late April to mid-October, the facility is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, while from mid-October to late April, it operates from 9 AM to 5 PM. Business hours may be extended during Golden Week, Obon, and the New Year holidays.

Why visit Ashoro Roadside Station?

Ashoro Roadside Station is more than a stopover. It’s a destination that connects visitors to Ashoro’s railway heritage, local flavors, and warm community spirit. Aside from that, if you collect roadside station stamps or if you are interested in Pokémon manhole covers, then this place is a must-visit.

Getting to Ashoro Roadside Station

 

From Obihiro Station, head out and go to Platform 7 of the Obihiro Eki Bus Terminal. Once there, board Bus #17 Obihiro Rikubetsu Line operated by Tokachi Bus Company. 

Board down at Ashoro Nokyo Mae bus stop. Once there, walk for about 290 meters to reach the roadside station. 

Travel time: 2 hours and 25 minutes

Fare: 1,780 yen

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