#86 Higashikawa- Michikusakan ひがしかわ 道草館

After we passed through Biei on our way to the Asahiyama Zoo, the next Michi no Eki stop was in Higashikawa. This is a relatively small Michi no Eki on a more-or-less urban street. When my parents came in the summer, we stopped here by chance and there was a street festival going on in the street behind the Michi no Eki, so I have nice memories of stopping here.

Contact Info:
Address: 上川郡東川町東町1丁目1番15号　Kamikawa-gun, Higashikawa-cho, Higashi Machi, 1 chome, 1 ban, 15 gou
Telephone: (0166)68-4777
Closings: December 31 ~ January 4
Hours: April ~ October: 8:30 am ~ 7:00 pm
            November ~ March: 9:00 am ~ 6:00 pm
            Toilets are accessible 24 hours.
             

Higashikawa's country sign

Higashikawa's stamp

Michi no Eki official site facility guide:
Parking: 30 cars and 3 large vans/buses*
Restaurant: No
Crib/place to put your baby: Yes
Campsite: No
Interactive facilities: No
Toilet: 5 stalls and 8 urinals in the men's, 11 stalls in the women's
Coffee: No
Observation Deck: No
Gas Station: No
Electric Car Charging Station: No
Handicapped Parking/Toilets: 1 parking spot and 1 toilet stall
Rest Area: Yes
Museum/Art Gallery: No
Place to Shower: No
Credit Card: No
Bidet Toilets: Yes
Information: Yes
Hot Spring Bath: No
Fax: No
Dog Run: No
Telephone: Yes
AED: No
Sports Facilities: No
Internet: No
Shop: Yes
Park: No
Hotel: No
Post Office: No

*Although the website claims to have 30 parking spots, there are only about 5 in front of the Michi no Eki building, and they seem to almost always be full. There is further parking here, at the Mont Bell store next door.

Stuff to Do:

1. Shopping

The Higashikawa Michi no Eki has a somehow more upscale atmosphere than most Michi no Eki shops. I think there is a store in the building that sells fancy outdoor clothes and gear, and there is also the Mont Bell next door which gives this Michi no Eki the sense of being located in a fancy ski resort somewhere. Or maybe it's just me. There is a small selection of fresh vegetables in the store, and lots of teas and coffees for sale. They advertise special bread made with rice flour from the town, and I noticed some cute cookies and snacks there. (Although at least one of these was intended for dogs, so be careful!) I have seen some scarves and bags for sale here, as well as various lotions, postcards, and pottery items. The items in this store overall strike me as a little more expensive than the average, so be advised.

2. Snacks

The Michi no Eki site doesn't list a restaurant or coffee shop, but this little snack window at least has soft ice cream, so you won't die if you are starving. 

3. Mountaineering

Summer view near the foot of Asahi-dake

Higashikawa is near the Daisetsuzan mountain group, which is known for mountains such as Asahi-dake. The mountain group is contained inside of Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's largest national park, along with two other groups of mountains. There is beautiful scenery and mountain climbing in the summer, and onsens are plentiful in this area due to the volcanic nature of the mountains. In particular, the Sounkyo Hot Spring town holds a "frozen waterfall" festival each winter that is very beautiful and worth seeing if you are in the area at the right time!

On a snow chair at the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival