Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, will open a new tourism and exchange center, “Roadside Station Wellness Arao” (2-3-1 Kaiyo-cho, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture), in the “Arao Kaiyo Smart Town” located near the Ariake Sea Coastal Highway on June 5.
It is a redevelopment area utilizing the former Arao Racecourse site, and was created as part of the urban development of the Minami Shinchi area, triggered by the decision to extend the Ariake Sea Coastal Highway and the Minami Shinchi Land Readjustment Project. The roadside station building will be combined with administrative service facilities, a large roof plaza, and an RV park, with an overall site area of approximately 53,000 m2, one of the largest in Kyushu.
In addition to a direct sales shop offering Ariake and Kumamoto specialties, the new stores include “WARAO x Tanita Cafe,” a health-conscious restaurant that makes use of local ingredients, “green,” a takeout store specializing in 100% Japanese beef gourmet burgers, “Yakiniku Ajisai,” where you can taste Kumamoto brand beef and fresh horse sashimi, “Kotteri,” a popular Kumamoto ramen store, and Ramen Bunryu (opening around autumn), etc. Visitors can also take a break at the open terrace overlooking the Ariake Sea to watch the beautiful sunset.
The site is equipped with “Mirairo,” a one-stop facility that provides administrative services related to health, welfare, and childcare, a 660m2 all-weather, large-roofed plaza for farmers’ markets, 24-hour restrooms, a baby room, and parking for 284 general vehicles, 24 large vehicles, and others. The facility is fully equipped with In addition to its function as a center for community life and interaction, the facility will also support tourism and wellness.
It is also the first in Kyushu to feature a dedicated zone for overnight stays from the opening stage. RV Park Smart Roadside Station Wellness Arao” will have three car spaces to meet the increasing demand for camping car trips and overnight stays in cars. The fee is 3,500 yen for the entire day (online reservation and payment), and the hours of use are from 14:00 to 11:00 the following day.
On June 6 and 7, immediately following the opening, events will be held throughout the surrounding area to commemorate the opening. In addition to an exhibition and ride-on experience of the “e-Palette,” a next-generation mobility vehicle that is the only one of its kind in Kyushu, there will be a gourmet food festival, a lottery with no lottery winners, and a ride-on experience of the “Kaseumi Yamasemi” limited express sightseeing train at JR Arao Station.
© Source travel watch