Obira Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Obira Roadside Station (道の駅 おびら鰊番屋) is one of 128 roadside stations located across Hokkaido. It is located along Route 239 in Kikahirotomi, in the town of Obira in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Obira Roadside Station

Obira Roadside Station details

Obira Roadside Station is locally and formally called Michi no Eki Obira Nishinbanya (道の駅 おびら鰊番屋). It translates in English to Roadside Station Obira Herring Lodge. It is a three-building roadside station that consists of the Tourism Exchange Center, Food Center, and the historical Former Hanada Family Banya.

Obira Roadside Station - Obira, Hokkaido

Obira Roadside Station was registered on April 16, 1996, and was given registration number 27. In April 2015, the Obira Tourism Exchange Center was opened to the public. It houses an oyakata no ma, a special product sales corner, a historical and cultural preservation exhibit hall, a rest corner, and of course a 24-hour rest room.

Inside Obira Roadside Station

Oyakata no ma (break corner)





Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall


Exchange Gallery

Obira Roadside Station toilet

I always see the Obira Roadside Station on my way to my visit schools up north but it was only last July 24, 2022, which was my 265th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme, that I finally got to visit it with my family. This trip was all thanks to Teacher Kanda who brought us on a day trip to Obira. 

Obira Roadside Station Stamp

During our visit, we first checked the Tourism Exchange Center where I got my Obira Roadside Station Stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally booklet. 

Obira Roadside Station

Food Center

Former Hanada Family Banya

From there, we visited the Former Hanada Family Banya and learned about the history of herring fishing in Obira. However, heads up, visitors need to pay an entrance fee to explore this historic building but rest assured you will learn something about the glory days of Obira here. 

Obira Roadside Station map

Special Obira Roadside Station vending machine

Products sold in the special Obira Roadside Station vending machine

Sake and snacks made in the region

Check out this mural at the Food Center

Different kinds of snacks produced in the region

The last establishment that we visited was the Food Center. It has a restaurant and a special product sales corner. Before leaving, we bought some food products and souvenirs to give to our friends. 

Ella got to try the soft cream of Obira Roadside Station


Obira Roadside Station Stamp

Obira Roadside Station Stamp Rally 2022

Obira Roadside Station Stamp

Aside from the three buildings, visitors can actually cross the highway going to the Herring Cultural Historical Park. Sadly, we weren’t able to visit this place during our trip as it suddenly rained. Regardless, it just gave us another reason to visit the Obira Roadside Station in the future. 

Obira Roadside Station Operating Hours:

Tourism Exchange Center 

April – November 9AM to 6PM / December – March 9AM to 5PM

Food Supply Facility

May – October 8AM to 5PM / December – March 9AM to 4PM

Restaurant

May – October 10:30AM to 4PM / November – April 10:30AM – 2PM

Former Hanada Family Banya

Tuesdays-Sundays 9AM to 5PM
Closed on Mondays
Might be temporarily closed during winter.

Why visit Obira Roadside Station?

Overall, Obira Roadside Station is conveniently located between Rumoi Roadside Station (22.6 kilometers away) and the Tomamae Roadside Station (20.3 kilometers away). It would surely be a perfect place to rest if you’re driving along scenic Route 239. It is also a place to go to buy souvenirs for your friends and loved ones. 

Getting to Obira Roadside Station

 

The best way to reach Obira Roadside Station and also to fully appreciate it is by coming in by car. Simply follow Route 239 until you reach Kikahirotomi in Obira. 

However, if you plan to commute, you can ride the Coastal Engas Bus from Rumoi City to Toyotomi or Haboro. Board down at Hanada Banya Mae bus stop. 

Travel fare: 660 yen if you come from the first stop of the bus
Travel time: around 50 minutes

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 48-5 Onishikahirotomi, Obira, Rumoi District, Hokkaido 078-3454, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 30, 2023 at 7:42 AM

    Obira Roadside Station is by far the most beautiful road side station that you have written about. I'm looking forward to read more and see more of your articles.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Keep reading

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Image
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected.
Keep reading

Bonifacio Shrine in Indang - Cavite

Image
Located in Barangay Limbon, Indang in the province of Cavite, the Bonifacio Shrine of Indang is one of the historical landmarks dedicated to the Father of the Philippine Revolution -Andres Bonifacio.  Bonifacio Shrine of Indang Bonifacio Shrine in Indang History Bonifacio Shrine in Indang marks the location of the nipa hut where Andres Bonifacio was seized and captured by the soldiers of his political rival and fellow revolutionary Emilio Aguinaldo in 1897. It was also here that Bonifacio was gravely injured after he was shot by an arresting soldier when he was being dragged to Indang town proper to be imprisoned. Bonifacio Shrine in Indang , Cavite This is how I look like pre-sneeze. The arrest of Bonifacio Philippine Historical Commission marker Presently, the historical nipa hut did not win against the tests of time. A small public park was constructed where the nipa hut was said to have once stood. The park features a statue of a seemingly very surprised Andres
Keep reading

Fukagawa Roadside Station – Hokkaido

Image
Fukagawa Roadside Station  ( 道の駅 ライスランドふかがわ ) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread across Hokkaido. It is located at 59-7 Hirosato, Otoecho in Fukagawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Fukagawa Roadside Station Fukagawa Roadside Station details Fukagawa Roadside Station is officially called Roadside Station Riceland Fukagawa . It follows the theme “Fukagawa, the city of rice”. It is a place where visitors can buy high-quality Fukagawa rice and also a place where visitors can learn about rice and agriculture. Fukagawa Roadside Station - Fukagawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture Fukagawa Roadside Station was registered last August 13, 2002, and was given registration number 17.  Photos outside Fukagawa Roadside Station At present the roadside station has the following amenities: General Information It is located right after you enter the front entrance of the roadside station. Motorists can get information about tourist spots, restaurants, public facilities, and even road info and we
Keep reading

Jose Rizal Shrine in Calamba - Laguna

Image
Located at Francisco Mercado Street corner Jose P. Rizal Street, Barangay 5 Poblacion, Calamba City in the province of Laguna, Jose Rizal Shrine  ( Dambana ni Rizal ) is the birthplace of Dr. Jose P. Rizal -the National Hero of the Philippines. Jose Rizal Shrine (Calamba) Jose Rizal Shrine History Jose Rizal Shrine is probably well known as the ancestral house of Rizal's family. The house serves as a museum that contains furniture and items that belong to the Rizal family. Jose Rizal Shrine - Calamba City, Laguna Young Jose Rizal with his dog I wonder what Young Rizal had in mind Rizal Shrine NHI Marker For those who don't know, the house that stood in the lot is actually only a replica of the old ancestral house which was destroyed during the Second World War. The replica was constructed right after the war. The construction was supervised by the late National Artist Juan Nakpil. It was inaugurated in 1950. The entrance to Jose Rizal Shrine
Keep reading

A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps

Image
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference.  Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Keep reading

Jigokudani - Hokkaido

Image
Jigokudani ( 登別地獄谷 ) or Hell Valley in English is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Noboribetsu City. It is located at Noboribetsuonsencho/Noboribetsu Onsen Town in Noboribetsu City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Jigokudani Jigokudani details Nestled at the western foot of the active volcano "Katataraku" lies Jigokudani , a geothermal wonderland that forms a part of the "Noboribetsu Volcano" along with Oyunuma and Hiyoriyama . With a diameter of approximately 450 meters and covering an area of around 11 hectares, Jigokudani serves as the source of Noboribetsu Onsen , a renowned hot spring town where high-temperature fumaroles and hydrothermal activity continue to mesmerize visitors. In recognition of its unique ecological importance, Jigokudani has been designated as a "Special Protection Area" within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park . Jigokudani - Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture The formation of Jigokudani can be traced back to vo
Keep reading

Agusan Del Sur: Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center

Image
Found in Barangay Consuelo, Bunawan in the province of Agusan Del Sur, Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center became famous for its world known centerpiece exhibit. Bunawan arc That exhibit is named Lolong , the world's longest salt water crocodile ever caught. Lolong was captured in Bunawan Creek, a part of the vast Agusan Marsh on September 3, 2011. Lolong In November of the same year, an Australian crocodile expert from the National geographic measured Lolong and confirmed that the crocodile was indeed the longest ever caught. the enormous Lolong measured 20 feet and 24 inches from snout to tail beating the Australian croc named Cassius which formerly holds the said title. A young kid views the croc 5 times his size Six months later, Lolong was officially certified by the Guinness Book of World records as the " World's Biggest Crocodile in Captivity ". Bunawan Mayor Elorde with some foreign guests Bunawan Mayor Cox Elorde t
Keep reading

Daisetsuzan National Park - Hokkaido

Image
Daisetsuzan National Park ( 大雪山国立公園 ) spans 2,267 square kilometers and encompasses 16 peaks, offering diverse trails, abundant wildlife, and alpine flora. This is the largest national park in Hokkaido, Japan . This vast park covers parts of Kitami City, Asahikawa City, Furano City, and the towns of Higashikawa, Kamifurano, Minamifurano, and Kamishihoro. However, a large part of the park is inside the town of Kamikawa but for this article, I will write about my experience in the Higashikawa part of the Daisetsuzan National Park . Daisetsuzan National Park  Daisetsuzan National Park details Nestled in the heart of Hokkaido, Japan 's northernmost prefecture, lies the breathtaking Daisetsuzan National Park . Known affectionately as the "roof of Hokkaido," this expansive park is a haven for nature lovers, adventurers, and seekers of tranquility. Daisetsuzan National Park - Hokkaido Spanning an impressive 2,267 square kilometers, Daisetsuzan National Park is home to the awe
Keep reading

Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park - Cavite

Image
Located in the vicinity of Mt. Nagpatong in Maragondon in the province of Cavite, Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park mark the supposed place where Andres Bonifacio and his brothers Procopio were executed in 1897. Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park History We learned from the previous post about Bonifacio Trial House the story of the trail leading up to the last days of Andres Bonifacio . Since I did not fully elaborate on his death, I think it is very relevant to talk about it now in relation to our featured destination - The Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park . Check out the images on the BAYANI Check out the images on the KKK A perfect angle to see the KKK and Bayani I'm wondering if that face is scared, shocked, or excited... The statue of Andres Bonifacio wearing a very fashionable camisa de chino Our local guide showed us the way to the peak of Mt. Nagpatong After his
Keep reading