Overview

Road Stations, or "Michi-no-Eki" are Japan's unique take on motorway services that serve as spaces for local people to sell local produce and help tourists find out more about the local area. Futatsui Road Station has a local history museum, a shop selling local organic produce and artwork as well as a café/restaurant. The building has three accessible toilets, sheltered accessible parking spaces and tactile guidance strips on the floor to guide visitors around the building.

Transport & Parking

Futatsui Road Station is on National Route 7 and is clearly signposted in Japanese and English, making it easy to visit by car. There is no other public transport on this section of Route 7, but taxis can be used to get from the Road Station to Futatsui Railway Station in the town centre. Clearly marked accessible parking bays have been built next to the front door of the building. Unlike the rest of the car park, these spaces are sheltered. Tactile paving slabs guide visitors from these spaces to the building itself.

Access

All of the facilities have step-free and barrier-free access. The shop is well-lit and simply laid out with two wide aisles running along the length of the shop. There are plenty of places to sit both in the cafe and in other parts of the building. The only inaccessible part of the building is a viewing platform which can only be reached by going up a flight of stairs. You can borrow a wheelchair from reception if you need one and chairs and tables in the cafe area can be moved if necessary. There is plenty of space to manoeuvre in the museum, shop and cafe.

Toilets

There are three accessible toilets in the building - one each in the men's and women's toilets and a larger unisex accessible toilet. Although not as well-equipped as a Changing Places toilet these accessible toilets have plenty of space, grab rails, an emergency button and an Ostomate facility. The toilets are all clean and tidy.

Staff

Friendly and approachable - happy to help you with directions and to talk about the building itself.

Photos