Michi-no-Eki Kitaura (Kitaura Roadside Station)

Located in northern Miyazaki Prefecture, Michi-no-Eki Kitaura lies within the scenic Nippō Kaigan Quasi-National Park, in the coastal town of Kitaura. Surrounded by sea and forest along National Route 388, it sits within the Shimoaso Beach Resort's Hamayu Village Campground, offering a natural and serene atmosphere.

This roadside station is notable for its wide range of facilities, including campgrounds, lodging, tennis courts, a local product market, a restaurant, and even a salt-making museum and educational exhibit.

At the on-site restaurant Kaisankan, you can enjoy the freshest seasonal seafood from the Kitaura fishing port. Their signature dish, Umi no Otakara-don (“Seafood Treasure Bowl”), highlights local catches. The menu also features a variety of set meals, including the regional favorite Chicken Nanban, which originated in nearby Nobeoka.

The product center offers a wide selection of local specialties, such as Tsuki no Shio (Moon Salt) and Nigari-chan (bittern), both produced on-site. You’ll also find seafood, processed marine products, green tea, and more.

Shimoaso Beach, located just nearby, has been recognized as the only “Top Beach” in Kyushu in the Ministry of the Environment’s “Top 100 Swimming Beaches” list, thanks to its exceptional water quality. The island of Shimanoura, just offshore, acts as a natural breakwater, keeping the waters calm. There's also a riverside pool, making it a safe and enjoyable spot for families with children during the summer season.