If you've ever taken a highway bus in Japan, you'll probably already know that the expressways here are dotted with service areas (SA) and parking areas (PA). These rest stop facilities offer gourmet food featuring local specialties and ingredients, souvenir shops with a wide variety of products for sale, clean and well-maintained restrooms, and in some locations, even hot springs and accommodation facilities.
In this article, we'll guide you through a day trip to one of the most popular service areas, Dangozaka (on the outbound route), which can be reached in only 60 minutes from Tokyo (Shinjuku). As you'll soon come to realize, the Dangozaka SA is much more than just a highway rest stop.
With a variety of shops, including cafés, restaurants, and souvenir stores, the Dangozaka SA offers many unique local gourmet foods and souvenirs that you can't find anywhere else, making it a popular destination even among foreign tourists.
The reason for its popularity isn't just the variety of shops. It's situated on the Chuo Expressway, which provides easy access to many popular tourist destinations, and is therefore the first service area for people heading out on a fun-filled journey from Tokyo. That's why you'll see so many happy faces, helping to create a really enjoyable atmosphere.
In our view, the fact that Japanese people like to enjoy the service area as if it were an amusement park is a unique aspect of Japanese culture.
As such, service areas seem to be gaining popularity among foreign tourists as well. That said, for those who don't drive, the service areas are difficult to reach, and foreign tourists will need a rental car and an international driving permit to get there.
However, anyone can easily get to the Dangozaka SA.
That's because you can jump on a highway bus from Shinjuku bound for Kofu.
Highway bus timetable / seat availability / reservation (Shinjuku~Kofu)
The Chuodo Nodajiri bus stop is quite unique because it's located inside the Dangozaka SA.
Since you can easily get there by highway bus without having to drive there yourself, we recommend you make the most of the opportunity to experience a Japanese service area.
Also, the area around the bus stop for buses heading back to Tokyo (Shinjuku) is an old post town called Nodajiri-juku, which was established in 1713. In this little town you can still see traces of the past and archetypal scenes of Japan.
If you're keen to visit the Dangozaka SA and enjoy everything it has to offer, use the link below to book your highway bus ticket from Shinjuku to Chuodo Nodajiri.
Highway buses from Shinjuku to Kofu, which stop at Dangozaka SA (Chuodo Nodajiri), generally run every 30 minutes.
First, to board the highway bus, make your way to the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, one of the largest bus terminals in Japan. It's directly connected to Shinjuku Station.
The departure lobby is usually bustling with large crowds of people with highway buses to various destinations departing one after another, which will no doubt heighten your sense of excitement for the journey ahead.
At the scheduled time of 8:35, your highway bus departs! As you begin your journey, look out the window and take in the scenes of a busy Shinjuku, a metropolis thronging with commuters.
After traveling about 10 minutes on National Route 20, the bus enters the expressway at Hatsudai.
Your bus should arrive on schedule at the bus stop located on the edge of the parking area. You'll be able to see the Dangozaka SA building in the distance.
Be wary of vehicles driving into the car park when walking over to the building.
The Dangozaka SA has a huge food court.
There are also popular options like Starbucks, grilled beef skewers, takoyaki octopus balls, pork buns filled with generous amounts of pork, apple pie, soft serve ice cream, traditional Japanese sweets, and plenty of other gourmet foods and sweets.
The bakery, with a wide variety of bread on offer, is also very popular. Especially popular are the Dangozaka anpan and melonpan, which are so popular that some people come here for the sole purpose of buying them. The Dangozaka anpan is not only filled with sweet red bean paste, but also buttercream, making it incredibly delicious. The melonpan, as its name suggests, is filled with creamy melon-flavored cream and tastes just like real melon. These two items are definitely worth trying.
On a fine day, these gourmet treats taste even better if you eat them outside on the outdoor terrace, where you can take in the beautiful mountain views.
In addition to the gourmet offerings, this service area has a well-stocked shopping area with a great selection of Yamanashi souvenirs. Not only that, it also features a variety of toys, such as the Tomica brand of cars and train sets, making it a fun place to spend hours.
There are even booths here available for those wanting to get a bit of work done, attend an online meeting, or join a Zoom call. There are also ATMs.
This fun place to visit is only 60 minutes from Shinjuku.
And of course, entry is free.
After enjoying everything the Dangozaka SA has to offer, take a stroll around the old post town and make your way to the Chuodo Nodajiri bus stop (bound for Shinjuku) for your return journey.
Go down the stairs at the Chuodo Nodajiri bus stop where you disembarked upon your arrival.
Head towards the old Nodajiri-juku area by walking through the underpass.
This poorly lit underpass will make you feel like you're in a time tunnel.
After leaving the modern, busy, and fun Dangozaka SA, you'll emerge from the underpass in the old Nodajiri-juku post town.
You'll feel like you've stepped into a space that transcends time. The old post town has a quiet and serene atmosphere. In stark contrast to the expressway service area, time goes by slowly and leisurely here. It's a beautiful, traditionally Japanese streetscape, with remnants of an era when people traveled on foot.
You can take some snaps while strolling around, and take a look at the shrine and old post office. As a little-known place, you could say it's a hidden gem off the beaten track.
The contrast between new and old is likely to be a very eye-opening and interesting experience for both Japanese and foreign visitors.
The bus stop for buses bound for Shinjuku is about a 5–10-minute walk from here.
You'll need to catch a bus on the Kofu to Shinjuku route, opposite to the one you took on the way down.
Book a seat online by choosing to board at Nodajiri and disembark at Shinjuku, and then just head to the bus stop.
Highway bus timetable / seat availability / reservation
Board the bus, sit in your assigned seat, and perhaps doze off a bit until you hear the announcement for arrival in Shinjuku.
So now you're back at the bus terminal in Shinjuku after a half-day trip that was somewhat of an extraordinary experience.
We think a trip out to an expressway service area, combined with a visit to an old post town, is certainly worth doing during one's stay in Tokyo.
It's an easy and affordable trip, especially considering that the highway bus fare doesn't cost all that much.
