Michi-no-Eki Bōyō Nakayama ( Japanese notation: 道の駅 望羊中山 )
- Assy, based in Sapporo
- Mar 29
- 2 min read
Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) is a rest stop found along highways in Japan. It offers free parking, clean toilets, local food, souvenirs, and tourist info.
This roadside station is located in Kimobetsu Town, Abuta District, Hokkaido. It sits near the summit of Nakayama Pass along National Route 230, which connects major tourist destinations such as Sapporo, Niseko, Lake Tōya, and Rusutsu.
It is a popular stop for locals to take a break, buy souvenirs, or take photos. With facilities such as a parking lot, restrooms, a gift shop, and a light meal stand, it is a must-visit spot when traveling by rental car or any other vehicle.
As the name “Bōyō” (which means “viewing sheep”) suggests,the view on a clear day is truly spectacular, offering a beautiful sight of Mt. Yōtei,often called the “Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido.”
While the scenery is indeed stunning when the weather is good,what I especially want to highlight and recommend is not just the view,but rather the excellent selection at the gift shop and the casual restaurant on the second floor.
The gift shop on the first floor goes far beyond the typical souvenir stand.It offers an impressive variety of local products made with ingredients from Hokkaido—seasonings, honey, jams, pickled vegetables, spreads, dried goods, snacks,as well as processed meat and seafood items.
Everything looks so delicious and appealing that,even though it takes about an hour by car from Sapporo,you may find yourself wanting to visit just for the shopping experience alone.
Another highlight is the restaurant on the second floor, Ajidokoro Shikisai. At first glance, the space may seem simple and modest, and you might not expect much from the food based on the appearance. However, the dishes here are truly exceptional—both in quality and taste. They serve a rice bowl topped with Rusutsu pork, a local brand of pork; ramen with house-made char siu (braised pork); and freshly made soba noodles using buckwheat flour from Horokanai. Despite the quality, the restaurant is often surprisingly quiet and uncrowded. My personal favorite is the Horumon Ramen— a bowl of ramen topped with grilled beef or pork offal. If you're a ramen lover, this is one dish you definitely shouldn't miss!
By the way, this roadside station is also well known for a local snack called Age-imo—boiled potatoes coated in a sweet batter and deep-fried.It has long been a popular treat here, and many people line up at the first-floor stand to buy it.
However, to be honest, I personally don't recommend it.I used to love it when I was a child—it tasted great back then—but nowadays, either my tastes have changed or the quality just isn't what it used to be.
If you're thinking of filling up on Age-imo,I would strongly suggest skipping it and heading upstairs insteadfor a satisfying bowl of ramen or a hearty pork rice bowl at the restaurant.
Official Website : https://ageimo.com/
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