Higashikawa Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Higashikawa Roadside Station, formally called Higashikawa Roadside Station Michisokan (道の駅 ひがしかわ・道草館) is one of the 128 roadside stations around Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located at 1 Chome-1-15 Higashimachi in the town of Higashikawa in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Higashikawa Roadside Station

Higashikawa Roadside Station details

Located at the gateway to Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park, Higashikawa Roadside Station is in the heart of Higashikawa town. Positioned along the Asahikawa Asahidake Onsen Line, a prefectural road connecting Asahikawa City, Hokkaido's second-largest city, with Asahidake and Tenninkyo Onsen, this roadside station offers convenient access to the area's natural wonders.

Higashikawa Roadside Station - Higashikawa town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Registered as a roadside station on August 9, 2004, Higashikawa Roadside Station is known as number 86. A highlight of the station is the Higashikawa Sightseeing Information Center, where visitors can relax and gather information about local attractions and events through videos and computers. In addition to brochures and traffic updates, the friendly staff is available to provide recommendations for local restaurants and introduce visitors to the unique products and specialties of Higashikawa.

道の駅 ひがしかわ・道草館

Higashikawa Roadside Station facade

Montbell Daisetsu Higashikawa Store

The Special Product Display and Sales Corner is a must-visit for those looking to explore Higashikawa's local offerings. Here, visitors can find specialty rice and vegetables, alcoholic beverages made with delicious water, craft beer, wood crafts, flowers, and more. The event hall within the building also hosts various activities and gatherings, attracting many visitors.

Inside Higashikawa Roadside Station 

Higashikawa Roadside Station stamp

Ensuring a pleasant experience for guests, the roadside station boasts clean and well-maintained restrooms accessible 24 hours a day. However, during peak seasons, it is important to note that the parking lot can become crowded. With space for 30 regular cars, 3 large cars, and 1 space for disabled parking, it is advisable to plan accordingly.

Team Nicerio visits Higashikawa Roadside Station

My family and I visited Higashikawa Roadside Station for the first time last October 22, 2022, during our “October 22-23” Road Trip. It was my 355th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. This beautiful roadside station was included in my itinerary as my daughter and I collect roadside station stamps for the Hokkaido Stamp Rally. It was the first roadside station that we visited during this road trip. 

Higashikawa Roadside Station fees

It’s FREE to park, enter, and explore Higashikawa Roadside Station. However, if you wish to avail of souvenirs in the special product display corner then you should bring cash. 

Higashikawa Roadside Station operating hours

Higashikawa Roadside Station is open from 9 AM to 6 PM (April-September) and 9 AM to 5 PM (October-March). If you are collecting roadside station stamps, keep in mind that you won’t be able to get the stamp if the roadside station is closed. 

Why visit Higashikawa Roadside Station?

Higashikawa Roadside Station is a great place to stopover when you are going to and from Daisetsuzan National Park. If you collect roadside station stamps then this place is a must-visit. 

Getting to Higashikawa Roadside Station

 

You can take bus #60, #66, #67, or #76 from the bus stop located in front of Asahikawa Station and get off at the Higashikawa Michisoukan bus stop. Higashikawa Roadside Station is just a short distance from this bus stop.

Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Fare: 860 yen

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