It takes about 30 minutes to get there by car from the New Chitose Airport. Roadside Station Abira D51 Station in Abira Town is one that just opened in April 2019. Since the Oiwake district, where the facility is located, developed as a railway hub, now there is a railway museum there highlighting its history with exhibitions and displays. Along with the steam locomotive “D51 320”, an express train of the “Kiha 183 series” having Hokkaido specifications is on display outdoors.

The Mokumoku D51 soft ice cream (380 yen including tax) is popular. The ice cream contains bamboo charcoal to give it color so as to evoke an image of smoke and it is noted for its refreshingly sweet flavor.

Abira is famous for its cheese as it is the place where in 1932 Japan's first full-fledged cheesery was built. Camembert cheese from Cheese Factory Kakuya (on left in photo, 730 yen each including tax). “Process Group Muuminsha” cream cheese (front right side of photo, 600 yen including tax) is popular for its mild taste. Be sure to visit this shop selling local specialties.

Tobetsu, a town neighboring Sapporo, is about a 40-minute drive from the center of Sapporo. The Nordic Winds of Michi-no-Eki Tobetsu was built in a Scandinavian style that reflects the town's deep friendship with Sweden.

Tobetsu is an agricultural community that is known for its quality vegetables, rice, and livestock products. There are two shops here: one that sells confections made from local Tobetsu ingredients and the other that sells food and handicrafts unique to the area.

Mazerudake Kuromame Gohan no Moto (540 yen per can including tax) contains Tobetsu black beans, chicken, and vegetables which go well when mixed with rice. It is the most popular local product sold here.

There are also several restaurants in the facility where you can enjoy local cuisine. One restaurant in particular worthy of note is one where you can enjoy creative Italian dishes. Trattoria Pizzeria Terzina, one of Hokkaido's leading Italian restaurants, offers cuisine created by Chef Hideki Horikawa using local ingredients. You definitely should try the grilled risotto that has a spicy sauce made with stewed Hokkaido beef tendon (photo, A Course 1,500 yen including tax).

National Route 231 heading north from Sapporo Station via National Route 5 is a popular drive route that runs along the Sea of Japan from Atsuta-ku, Ishikari City. About 70 minutes by car, A’i Road Atsuta is located in Atsuta Park, a spot from where you can get magnificent views of the evening sun as it sets behind the Sea of Japan.

A popular local product that makes a fine gift is the Atsuta Monaka (120 yen including tax each) that is fashioned in shapes of such local products as shako [mantis prawn] and hatahata [sandfish]. Lumpy bean jam made with small beans is used for the monaka in the shape of the mantis prawn while white bean jam is used in the monaka in the shape of the sandfish.

A local food item we recommend is the pressed herring sushi (1,000 yen including tax) made with Atsuta herring and herring roe of Ishikari Fumiichi. It contains six slices; enough for a meal for two people. Note that Ishikari Fumiichi and other dining areas on the second floor are closed during winter. It is best to check the latest information before heading to here because the Hours at the road station change depending on the time of the sunset.

Road stations are great places to stop, take a break, eat, and shop especially for travelers who don't have a lot of time. As we have endeavored to show in this article, road stations each have a unique character. And that character is often a reflection of the atmosphere of the area where it is located. In all of them, though, you are certain to discover something of interest among the rich selection of local products offered. If you plan to rent a car, be sure to stop by these road stations while heading to your other destinations, something that will give added pleasure to your travel experience!

Text by:minna no kotoba sha