Hokkaido
道の駅 なとわ・えさん
The Tsugaru Strait is right in front of you, with active volcano Mount Esan in the distance. Stop in this kelp-producing town before heading toward Esan along National Route 278.
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
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Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.
Wheelchair users can reach the rooftop for a sweeping view of the Tsugaru Strait and Mount Esan. It is worth visiting in the first few minutes of a break.
The local products shop, Natowa Shop, operates Tuesday through Sunday and can ship purchases to other parts of Japan.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00–16:00. Last orders are early, at 14:00; after that, only takeout is available.
The crater plain parking area of Mount Esan is about 20 minutes away by car, and the azalea park about 11 minutes. You can use the roadside station as a starting point for exploring the Esan district.
Michi-no-Eki Natowa Esan is a roadside station in Esan Seaside Park, on National Route 278 in Hakodate's Esan district. In the southern Hokkaido dialect, “natowa” means “you and me.” The mainly wooden building has a rooftop deck overlooking the Tsugaru Strait and active volcano Mount Esan; wheelchair users can also reach the deck. The shop sells local Kuroguchihama makombu kelp, kelp products, and kelp soft-serve ice cream. There is also a restaurant, a café, the indoor children's play area Warashaland, and a seaside campground open from May through September. A typical visit to the Esan area starts with a break here before continuing to Mount Esan's crater plain parking area or the azalea park.
Kyuro Mizuno sees Natowa Esan as a gateway from Hakodate to Mount Esan. First, take in the Tsugaru Strait and Mount Esan from the rooftop deck, then choose Kuroguchihama makombu kelp at the shop. If you want lunch, keep Fuwafuwatei's 14:00 last order in mind, and if time allows, continue to the crater plain parking area or the azalea park. As the station, shop, café, and restaurant have different hours and closed days, planning before you arrive makes for a more relaxed visit.
Natowa Esan works well as a stop to see the sea and buy kelp before heading toward Mount Esan.
The mainly wooden facility was designed with the coastal scenery in mind, and wheelchair users can reach its rooftop. The view places the Tsugaru Strait before you and active volcano Mount Esan in the distance; it is the first thing to see here.
The shop stocks local Kuroguchihama makombu kelp and a variety of products made from it, as well as kelp soft-serve ice cream. It can ship purchases elsewhere in Japan, reducing the luggage you need to carry home.
This indoor area has trampolines and other play equipment for young children. It is free and requires no registration, giving children a place to move around during a long drive.
The grassy open camping area covers about 3,000 square metres. One tent for one night costs ¥300 for up to two people or ¥500 for three or more. Apply at the information desk on the day; advance reservations and tent rentals are unavailable.
Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.
Park, use the restroom, see the Tsugaru Strait from the rooftop deck, then pick up a kelp soft-serve or a kelp product at the shop. Even a short stop gives you a sense of arriving in the Esan district.
Parking → Restroom → Rooftop deck → Local products shop → Depart
The station is closed Mondays. The shop and café operate Tuesday through Sunday; Fuwafuwatei operates Wednesday through Sunday.
It is about a 20-minute drive from the roadside station to the crater plain parking area of active volcano Mount Esan. Along the way, the Strait Observatory has views of the Tsugaru Strait and the Shimokita Peninsula. Late May is also a good time to include Esan Azalea Park.
Roadside station → Esan Azalea Park → Mount Esan crater plain parking area → Roadside station
Vehicle access on the Mount Esan climbing road is restricted for winter from December until mid-April of the following year.
Apply at the information desk on the day for a grassy open pitch overlooking the Tsugaru Strait. A shower costs ¥200 for five minutes, and checkout is at 10:00.
Apply at the information desk → Set up camp → Leave by 10:00 the next morning
There are no advance reservations or tent rentals. Applications cannot be accepted on a day when the facility is closed.
The Warashaland indoor children's play area is free and needs no registration. There is also an outdoor park, so you can choose between indoor and outdoor play according to the weather.
Parking → Warashaland → Local products shop → Depart
Warashaland is unavailable when the facility is closed.
Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.
A baby changing bed and 24-hour restrooms make short breaks easier.
The indoor play area mainly has equipment for young children. At this age, it makes more sense to plan for a rest, nursing, and changing a diaper than for play.
Children can move around in Warashaland even on rainy days.
The free indoor space requires no registration and can help children reset during a long journey.
Combine indoor play equipment and the outdoor park, or add the campground in summer.
The campground is an open pitch area from May through September, with applications on the day. Kelp soft-serve can make a natural break at lunchtime.
Adding a hike up active volcano Mount Esan can make this a full-day outing.
The walk from the crater plain parking area to the summit takes about 70 minutes one way. Resting at the roadside station first can turn the Esan district into a place for learning.
Wheelchair users can reach the roof, so you can take in the Tsugaru Strait and Mount Esan first even on a day when you want to avoid stairs.
Fuwafuwatei's last orders are relatively early, at 14:00. If lunch is part of your visit, planning to arrive during the morning leaves more time.
The Mount Esan climbing road has winter vehicle restrictions from December until mid-April of the following year. Outside those restrictions, you can drive to the crater plain parking area and choose to stop at the Strait Observatory viewpoint without climbing the mountain.
Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.
Checking event dates.
Open each year from May 1 through September 30. An earlier opening may be announced in some years, so check the Hakodate City page.
Held in late May at Esan Azalea Park. Ezo-yama azaleas generally reach full bloom from mid to late May.
The Gokko Festival is listed for early February and the Autumn Thanks Fair for early November. Dates vary each year; check the announcements on the Hokkaido roadside stations website.
Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.
The Hokkaido roadside stations guide highlights wheelchair access to the roof, which overlooks the Tsugaru Strait. This makes it easier to share the view with a companion who has difficulty walking.
The national roadside stations association says the shop stocks kelp soft-serve ice cream and a range of local kelp products, with shipping to other parts of Japan available.
Hakodate City says use of the Warashaland indoor children’s play area is free and needs no registration. It has trampolines and other equipment for young children and can be used on rainy days.
Hakodate City gives a travel time of about 54 minutes by taxi from Hakodate Station. By Hakodate Bus, get off at the Natowa Esan-mae stop (なとわえさん前), directly in front of the station; the journey takes about 105 minutes.
Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.
Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.
A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.
Visit the rooftop deck, then the local products shop. This makes a short stop if you arrive during shop hours.
Last orders are at 14:00, so plan to arrive early on a day when you want lunch.
Shipping to other parts of Japan makes these easier to buy while travelling.
From December, both also close on Tuesdays, and the main roadside station closes earlier, at 17:00.
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The Tsugaru Strait is right in front of you, with active volcano Mount Esan in the distance. Stop in this kelp-producing town before heading toward Esan along National Route 278.
Send your travel companions a possible stop.
