Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Ashibetsu Roadside Station (道の駅 スタープラザ芦別) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located along Route 38 and 452 in Kita 4-jo Higashi 1-1-1 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

道の駅 スタープラザ芦別
Ashibetsu Roadside Station

Ashibetsu Roadside Station details

Ashibetsu Roadside Station is formally called Roadside Station "Star Plaza Ashibetsu". It was one of the first roadside stations in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, and was given Registration Number 2. This station serves as a tourist information center and a hub for travelers to explore what the town has to offer.

道の駅 スタープラザ芦別
Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture

The Tourist Information Center inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station is a must-visit spot for travelers. Here, they will find information about the town's famous products sold on the first floor. From the Yokoichi cheese, butter, and Ashibetsu melon, to the lily root, and zenzai, visitors can purchase a variety of tasty treats to take home. The stone kiln, located in the same area, offers visitors an opportunity to see the town's traditional pottery techniques.

Ashibetsu Roadside Station facade

道の駅 スタープラザ芦別

道の駅 スタープラザ芦別

道の駅 スタープラザ芦別

If you're looking for a bite to eat, the restaurant on the second floor of the Ashibetsu Roadside Station offers an extensive menu of Japanese and Western cuisines. The restaurant's specialty is the Gatatan ramen - a unique local dish that provides a unique culinary experience. Besides, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the town's nature while enjoying a meal.

Shiroi Koibito soft serve ice cream

Gatatan Ramen

Things to see outside Ashibetsu Roadside Station

Ashibetsu Roadside Station's star-shaped toilet

Village of Shooting Stars Centennial Memorial Hall 

つばさ農園
Tsubasa Farm

Hoshi no Furu Sato Bridge and the Hokkaido Kannon as seen from across the Sorachi River

Another unique feature of the Ashibetsu Roadside Station is the star-shaped toilet in the parking lot, also associated with "Hoshi no Furu Sato." These toilets have become quite popular among visitors, who find their design unique and interesting.

Inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station

Ashibetsu special gatchapon



ピッツア芦別
Pizza Ashibetsu (ピッツア芦別)


Getting the Ashibetsu Roadside Station Stamps

Visitors can also take time to explore the adjacent Village of Shooting Stars Centennial Memorial Hall or Hoshi-no-Furu-Sato Centennial Memorial Hall built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Ashibetsu City. The theatre inside the memorial hall offers visitors an opportunity to experience 100 years of Ashibetsu City through various performances and shows.

Ashibetsu Roadside Station Stamp

Ashibetsu Roadside Station Stamp

If you are interested in purchasing fresh agricultural products and livestock, Mother's Market and Tsubasa Farm, located near Ashibetsu Roadside Station, offer locally produced fresh agricultural products.

Team Nicerio visits Ashibetsu Roadside Station



My family and I visited Ashibetsu Roadside Station for the first time last September 10, 2022, as part of our September 9-11 Road Trip. It was my 313th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. I made sure to include Ashibetsu Roadside Station in the itinerary as my daughter and I collect roadside station stamps for the Hokkaido Stamp Rally. 

Ashibetsu Roadside Station Fees

It’s FREE to park, enter, and explore Ashibetsu Roadside Station. However, I highly suggest that you bring money just in case you want to buy some locally produced products.

Ashibetsu Roadside Station Operating Time:

Shop Opening Hours:

April and October: 9 AM - 6 PM
May to September: 9 AM - 7 PM
November to March: 9 AM - 5 PM

The La Fleur Restaurant Opening Hours:

April and October: 11 AM - 6 PM
May to September: 11 AM - 3 PM, and then 4 PM - 7 PM
November to March: 10 AM - 5 PM


Why visit Ashibetsu Roadside Station?

Ashibetsu Roadside Station is one of the best places to go in case you need a stopover during your drive along Route 38. Aside from the usual product corner, you can also check out the Village of Shooting Stars Centennial Memorial Hall which serves as the city’s local museum. If you're looking for something to eat, I highly suggest that you try the Gatatan Ramen from the ラ・フルール restaurant in the roadside station. During summer, I highly suggest that you try the Shiroi Koibito soft-serve ice cream. It's the perfect food on a hot sunny day.  

Getting to Ashibetsu Roadside Station

 

From Asahikawa Station, board the Kamui 30 Limited Express Sapporo of the Lilac-Kamui Line. Board down at Takikawa Station. 

From there, transfer to the Local Higashi-Shikagoe train of the Nemuro Line and board down at the Ashibetsu Station. 

Ashibetsu Roadside Station is about 1.3 kilometers away. 

Travel time: 1 hour and 26 minutes
Fare: 3,360 yen

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: Japan, 〒075-0014 Hokkaido, Ashibetsu, Kita 4 Jōhigashi, 1-chōme, 北4条東1丁目1

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 7, 2024 at 8:02 AM

    Nice write up, Neil. I too am fond of visiting roadside stations. As a matter of fact, I have visited all in Wakayama Prefecture. Hopefully, I get to travel to Hokkaido this year and visit some there. Thanks for sharing this. I'm a fan of your work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 23, 2024 at 4:30 PM

      Thank you so much! I'm a few more left before I complete visiting all the roadside stations here in Hokkaido though. I hope to explore all of Wakayama in the future. =)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 24, 2024 at 8:11 AM

    Did you see the giant Kannon behind this station?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJune 30, 2024 at 11:42 PM

      Yes, I did. However, I wasn't able to visit it as visitors aren't allowed there anymore.

      Delete

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