What are Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki)?

Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki) have facilities to support a safe and comfortable car journey, being installed along major roads throughout the country.
They typically contain a “rest function,” such as a car park and toilets, an “information function,” such as for information on the road and sightseeing, and a “regional cooperation function,” including the sale of local specialty products. They are popular not only as an oasis for driving but also as shopping and leisure destinations.