Michino-eki (Roadside Station)

Hello, this is Japan CROPs Executive Office. Today, we are writing about "Michino-eki" (which would be translated as Roadside Station in English).
Michino-eki (Roadside Station) is region/community-based facilities which is built on road side but not only for drivers but also various people including tourists. The facilities exists more than 1000 throughout Japan. The more it is rural area/countryside, the more it has more facility. For example, the number of Michino-eki Tokyo has is just 1 Michino-eki. So, if you have already visited in famous tourist spots in Japan, finding/visiting Michino-eki might provide new finding and good fun.
This facilities is actually build for below 2 purposes.

1. Providing safe and comfortable road use environment for drivers
2. Contributing to the promotion of the area/region
   In above purposes, 2nd one is the key for making Michino-eki interesting place.
   As we wrote above, Michino-eki are distributed in rural/countryside. It means that you can find/buy Japan region-specific things, especially food. Agricultural products such as rice, vegetables and fruits is one of core products (which you can find in Michino-eki). You can buy really fresh and delicious crops.
   why don't you try to visit Michino-eki, if you have chance to visit in Japan?