The Komplete Kosoku Sabisu Eria Experience!

高速サービスエリア
一眠りする間に
肌寒いブレイクタイム
朝の匂いを嗅げば
(At the highway rest stop/Need to take a break before I fall asleep/Smells like dawn outside)
--Yogurt-pooh, "R&R side seater"

I've heard about them, sung along about them, but I possess only the vaguest memory that I may have ever been at one. What am I talking about? Why nothing less than the illustrious コウソウクサービスエリア--the kosoku sabisu eria--otherwise known as the highway rest stop. Well of course we have highway rest stops in North America, but even here there is some variation between the U.S. and Canada. While both countries usually provide a place for fuel, food, and coffee, I've only seen rest stops elevated like a bridge above the highway in America. Even a short tour of a Japanese rest stop reveals way more variation, understandably so once the varying features of rest stops are connected to deeper cultural roots.

Overview

I did not see a gas station at this rest stop, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I just didn't think to look for it until composing this post back on the bus heading to Kyoto. The building itself would not look out of place in North America, but the separate building for washrooms would. Whereas our businesses would not pass an opportunity to tempt hungry and thirsty travellers on their way to and from the loo, the Japanese approach allows for busloads of travellers to be turned over efficiently, not to mention keeping any unfortunate smells out of harm's way. This being Japan, there was also a bank of jihanki (vending machines) with nearly every drink manufacturer represented.

Dry Mist

Which present best recalls my visit to the Tsuchiyama SA?

Once you emerge from the bathroom, if you head toward the main building you will be sprayed with a refreshing mist that really doesn't make you wet at all. An oxymoron truly worthy of its claim.

Omiyage

Ask almost any Japanese about travel, and the joykilling obligation to buy omiyage (souvenirs) will be raised. For many I have spoken with, omiyage is often factored into the decision making process whenever the question "How badly do I really need to go on this trip?" is asked. Given the widespread adoption of the omiyage custom and the procrastination such a duty can compel, I should have been less surprised by the size of the omiyage shop. It had the second largest footprint in the building, rivalling the food court in size and easily dominating the convenience store.

Nature Walk Anyone?

Looks like a nice place to stretch your legs right?

Having washed and found a unique drink of my own (a delicious green tea latte if you must know), I found myself with just enough extra time to stretch my legs on the short nature walk near the highway bus I was doing the red eye on. After the first bend, the trail ended at a clearing, sinking my spirits as I realized this was more likely a smoker's area than a path to a panoramic view. Hopes dashed, I tried to stay positive by the discovery of a garbage can for my tea cup. A closer look revealed that not even this silver lining existed. Here's a picture of it with a spoiler alert for those who read Japanese.

No ordinary waste disposal

Suddenly the purposes of the remaining structures became more clear. Was the foot wash station really a foot wash station?

That's a hose on the left

Was the miniature obelisk really a monument of some sort?

How's your katakana Fido?

If you don't read Japanese, I won't leave you in suspense any longer. The garbage can was for animal waste only. The foot wash station a communal drinking bowl for pets, and the monument read "pet toilet" (and yes, I agree that's a well trained pet who knows how to read that sign). Scanning the area once again, I decided not to set foot in the grassy field surrounded by benches just in case I dragged something back on the bus with me.

All in all, you could say that the Japanese highway rest stop is strangely familiar, yet familiarly strange. If you ever get a chance to check one out, it's worth a look around.