The Roadside Station Akune is located in Akune City's southern area, running along Japan National Route 3. It faces the East China Sea, offering visitors an ideal view of the Koshikijima Islands. Inside the building is a souvenir hall that exhibits and sells the specialty products of Akune City, as well as a restaurant where visitors can have their fill of the city's seasonal flavors. A rest area with food and shopping, it's the ideal location to take a rest from driving. They also have electric car charging stations so if you happen to be traveling via electric car you can replenish your battery here. Take your time and enjoy some Akune souvenir shopping and food as the gentle sea breeze and the sounds of the waves refresh your spirit.
The Roadside Station Akune was opened in March 1996 as the very first road station along Japan National
Route 3. It was specifically built to overlook the East China Sea, with a striking blue-walled design
that will certainly catch your eye. One of the most popular spots is the souvenir hall. They sell a
variety of freshly-caught fish from Akune's port town, vegetables and fruit direct from farmers, as well
as products made with fresh locally-produced ingredients.
Among the wide variety of products the most popular item are the seafood products. Their outstanding
freshness and moderate price makes them a must-have item for people visiting from the distant Kagoshima
City or Kumamoto Prefecture. In their showcase they display aji, sea bream, and silver-stripe round
herring that have been caught in the East China Sea. They also have specialty seafood throughout the
four seasons: purple sea urchins in spring, round herring in summer, spiny lobsters in autumn, and
mackerel in winter. They are also fully stocked with numerous cooked fish products, such Tsukeage (a
fried fish paste ball), Tsubu-uni (sea urchin), uni miso, aki (dried cut fish), Mirinboshi (mirin-dried
fish), and Maruboshi (dried whole fish.) If you're curious about the ingredients or features of a
particular dish, we recommend you ask the knowledgeable staff.
①A wide variety of seafood ②Herring goods made using locally-caught fish ③Luxurious specialty purple sea urchin items
Akune City is rich not only in seafood products but also in agricultural products. Vegetables and citrus
fruits that have been lovingly grown in Akune's warm climate are lined up in rows. The most plentiful
item are the goods made utilizing the region's specialty citrus, bontans. They have items that are sold
all year long, such as soft and delicious traditional bontan-zuke (sugared bontan) and refreshing
bontan-flavored dressing. Other popular items include the "Year 3 Class A Brand" items that are produced
by Tsurusho High School students as part of their hands-on training. The meticulously prepared buta-miso
and juice are so popular that they frequently run out of them.
Also when it comes to Kagoshima's specialties, sweet potato shochu must be mentioned. Akune City has 3
cellars for this type of shochu, which is produced by highly skilled brewers and their apprentices. The
souvenir hall has all 3 kinds.
①Bontans: The Representative of Akune City ②A tantalizing variety of bontan sweets ③Another popular specialty: Ice cream made with bontan juice
MAP＆INFOMATION
