Roadside station Ouchi

Overview

Roadside Station Ouchi stands along National Route 105 in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, and goes by the friendly nickname Heart Port Ouchi. It is far more than a simple rest stop: it houses the hot-spring lodging facility Poporokko and is directly linked to JR Ugo-Iwaya Station by a connecting passage called Popo Road. This rare fusion of a railway station and a roadside station makes it a welcoming gateway for both drivers and rail travelers.

Highlights

• ●Soothe your travels at the Poporokko hot-spring lodging
• ●Direct link to JR Ugo-Iwaya Station via the Popo Road passage
• ●Convenient rest hub right along National Route 105
• ●The warm hospitality behind the nickname Heart Port Ouchi

History

Part of the facility opened on April 25, 2000, and it began full operation as a roadside station on December 8 of the same year, following its registration on August 18. The name Poporokko blends the Italian word popolo, meaning people, with kko, an affectionate suffix from the Akita dialect, expressing the wish to be an open place of community exchange.

Map

39.4429, 140.0902 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Arrive along Route 105 and take a break at the station
2. 2Browse the shelves of local produce and specialties
3. 3Warm up with a bath at the Poporokko hot spring
4. 4Continue sightseeing by rail from Ugo-Iwaya Station

Did you know?

💡 The structure that links a railway station and a roadside station by a covered passage is uncommon nationwide, and the fact that rail passengers can step straight into a hot spring is a charming touch. The nickname Heart Port Ouchi evokes a harbor that warmly welcomes every traveler.

Nearby spots