Muroran Roadside Station formally called Mitara Muroran Roadside Station (道の駅 みたら室蘭) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread across Hokkaido. It is located at 4 Chome-16-15 Shukuzucho in Muroran City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Muroran Roadside Station / Mitara Muroran Roadside Station |
Muroran Roadside Station details
The Shiratori Bridge Memorial Museum, now known as "Mitara Muroran," was established to preserve the legacy of a remarkable construction project that spanned four decades from conception to completion. After transforming into a roadside station, this memorial hall has become a popular attraction for visitors, offering various amenities and facilities.
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| Muroran Roadside Station - Muroran City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Since it registered as a roadside station on April 17, 1998, the Muroran Roadside Station, also known as "Mitara Muroran" Roadside Station, has undergone significant improvements to enhance the visitor experience. Its facilities include a spacious lounge area with three unique stores: Kujira Shokudo, Iron Town Coffee, and Cafe Corner. Each of these establishments offers a distinctive menu of food and drinks, allowing visitors to indulge in various culinary delights. Moreover, the lounge provides a picturesque view through its wide windows, capturing the scenic beauty of Shiratori Bridge, windmills, Enrum Marina, Daikoku Island, and even distant vistas of prominent mountains such as Mt. Yotei, Mt. Usu, and Mt. Showa-Shinzan.
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| The 200th Anniversary of the Providence Port Visit to Muroran |
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| 道の駅 みたら室蘭 |
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| The Shiratori Bridge-designed vending machines |
In addition, the Muroran Roadside Station features a sales corner that primarily showcases special products from Muroran and its surrounding areas. With a significant expansion in 2019, the sales floor now provides a broader selection of souvenirs for visitors to choose from. This allows tourists to take home unique souvenirs that represent the local culture and heritage of the region.
Muroran Roadside Station Ground Floor
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| Food and Drink Lounge |
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| Specialty Goods |
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| There are plenty of souvenirs to choose from. |
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| Roadside station stamps from other roadside stations are displayed in one corner of Muroran Roadside Station |
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| Muroran City tourist map |
The second floor of the station hosts an exhibit room that displays construction materials, providing insights into the various construction methods employed during the building of the Shiratori Bridge. This exhibit allows visitors to deepen their understanding of the engineering marvels used throughout the construction process. The second floor also offers a kids' area, where children can enjoy various activities including slides, picture books, and building blocks. This dedicated space provides children a fun and interactive environment while facilitating educational experiences.
Muroran Roadside Station 2nd Floor
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| The ground floor as seen from the 2F |
Muroran Roadside Station Stamp
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| Muroran Roadside Station Stamp |
Furthermore, the Muroran Roadside Station serves as a versatile venue for hosting events and functions, attracting local citizens who utilize the space for their gatherings and occasions. This flexibility makes the station an integral part of the community, contributing to the cultural and social fabric beyond its role as a tourist attraction.
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| Shiratori Bridge |
Conveniently located just a two-minute drive from Shiratori Bridge on National Route 37, the Muroran Roadside Station offers easy accessibility for both locals and tourists alike. Its strategic location allows visitors to explore the nearby attractions with ease, making it a notable destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Muroran region.
Team Nicerio visits Muroran Roadside Station
My family and I visited Muroran Roadside Station for the first time last October 10, 2022, during our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 343rd day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. We wanted to explore the roadside station grounds and admire the beautiful Shiratori Bridge but because of the bad weather, we contented ourselves with getting the roadside station stamp before heading back on the road.
Muroran Roadside Station fees
It’s FREE to enter and explore Muroran Roadside Station. However, if you want to buy souvenirs or try the food in the restaurants, it’s better to bring cash.
Muroran Roadside Station operating hours
Muroran Roadside Station is open from 9:30 AM to 7 PM (April-October) and 9:30 AM to 5 PM (November-March).
Muroran Roadside Station is closed every Thursday (November to March). If Thursday is a holiday, the roadside station is closed the following day. It is also closed during the New Year's holidays (December 31st and January 1st).
Why visit the Muroran Roadside Station?
Muroran Roadside Station is a great place to rest after a long drive. Aside from the food and the souvenir stores, you would also enjoy the view of the Shiratori Bridge from the roadside station grounds. If you collect roadside station stamps then this place is a must-visit.
Getting to Muroran Roadside Station
From Sapporo Station, catch the Hokuto 18 Limited Express bound for Hakodate on the Hokuto Line. Alight at Higashi-Muroran Station, where you'll transfer to the Local Muroran service operating on the Muroran Line. Disembark at Bokoi Station.
Upon arrival, make your way to the Bokoi Ekimae bus stop and hop onto the Circulation 13 Higashimuroran Station East Exit route, operated by Donan Bus Company. Exit at the Shukutsucho 2-chome bus stop. From there, it's a leisurely stroll of approximately 600 meters to reach Muroran Roadside Station.
Travel time: 2 hours and 21 minutes
Fare: 5,470 yen
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