Utashinai Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Utashinai Roadside Station, formally called Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol (道の駅 うたしないチロルの湯) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread around Hokkaido. It is located at 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Utashinai Roadside Station

Utashinai Roadside Station details

Discover Hokkaido’s charm by stopping over at Utashinai Roadside Station, located along Route 114. This station is the perfect base for exploring Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido, and houses a variety of tourism resources and facilities.

Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol (道の駅 うたしないチロルの湯)
Utashinai Roadside Station - Utashinai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

One of the standout features of Utashinai Roadside Station is its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Equipped with a covered parking lot that can be used even when it snows in winter, and a road-heating pavement, visitors can enjoy the station’s facilities with peace of mind.

The Utashinai Roadside Station signage also shows the day's temperature

The map of Utashinai Roadside Station grounds

Utashinai Roadside Station was registered as a roadside station on April 17, 1998. It was given the registration number 56. The roadside station has changed a lot due to the financial deterioration of Utashinai City. Despite these changes, it continues to provide travelers with a convenient and comfortable place to stop and rest.

Utashinai Roadside Station facade




At the top of a small hill behind the station lies the Tyrolean Onsen, a hot spring that is perfect for a relaxing soak. This facility offers day trips, and visitors can also spend the night at the chalet-style hot spring inn.

Inside Utashinai Roadside Station

There are very affordable vegetables for sale in the roadside station during the harvest season

A large piece of coal is on display inside the roadside station







The roadside station also includes a covered parking lot that is designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities. It is easy to navigate, ensuring visitors can relax in comfort. Additionally, the pavement leading to the restrooms is fitted with road heating, further adding to the convenience factor.

Utashinai Roadside Station stamp

Utashinai Roadside Station stamp


For visitors seeking tourist information, the station offers a tourist information system. Travelers can acquire event and tourism information inside the roadside station, as well as access important weather and traffic information to aid in their journey. The station even offers car navigation for added convenience.

Team Nicerio visits Utashinai Roadside Station

My family and I visited Utashinai Roadside Station for the first time last September 11, 2022, as part of our September 9-11 Road Trip. It was my 314th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. I included Utashinai Roadside Station in our itinerary as my daughter and I collect roadside station stamps for the Hokkaido Stamp Rally.

Update

Utashinai Roadside Station is one of the 5 new destinations in Hokkaido that was chosen as a location for the new Pokemon manhole covers. The Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover was installed last June 2023. It features both Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix with Joltik. 

Utashinai Roadside Station Fees

It’s FREE to enter and explore Utashinai Roadside Station. However, I highly recommend that you bring cash just in case you want some local products sold at the roadside station.


Utashinai Roadside Station Operating Hours

Utashinai Roadside Station is open from 9 AM to 5 PM (all year round).


Why visit Utashinai Roadside Station

Utashinai Roadside Station provides an exceptional stopover experience for those exploring Central Hokkaido. Its outstanding facilities and resources ensure that visitors have a comfortable and convenient break while on the road. Aside from that, if you are collecting roadside station stamps, then it's a must-visit.

Getting to Utashinai Roadside Station

 

From Takikawa Station walk towards Takikawa Eki Mae bus stop and ride the Utashinai Sen Route of the Chuo bus line. Board down at Chuo Danchi Iriguchi [Utashinaishi] bus top. From there, walk for about 260 meters to Utashinai Roadside Station. 

Travel time: 53 minutes
Fare: 720 yen

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai, Hokkaido 073-0406, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 20, 2024 at 8:40 AM

    No offense but there seems to be nothing much to do or see in this roadside station.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 3, 2024 at 10:43 PM

      There is a nearby onsen and the Utashinai Pokefuta was installed outside but I have to agree, this roadside station needs some improvement.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 23, 2024 at 7:12 AM

    Does every roadside station have a Pokemon manhole cover?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 26, 2024 at 7:51 AM

      No but most of the Hokkaido Pokemon manhole covers are installed in the vicinity of a roadside station.

      Delete

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