Roadside Station Iitaka

Iitaka Station opened on July 24, 1990 as a sales outlet for local specialty products. At the time, it attracted attention as people wondered, "Why a station when there is no train running through it?" On April 22, 1993, it was registered as the first roadside station in Mie Prefecture, along with 103 other facilities nationwide. For this reason, it is said locally that "Iitaka Station is the station that inspired the idea of roadside stations." Whether this is true or not is unknown, but it is certain that Iitaka Station existed before the former Ministry of Construction began its roadside station project. It was registered as a corporation in October 2004, and on November 25 of the same year, it opened its first phase after a complete renovation, adding hot spring facilities, a restaurant, and an information office. On April 15, 2005, the second phase opened, with a sales outlet for local specialty agricultural products and an experience facility. In July 2006, a grass park was added. In November of the same year, Nippon Therapy Relaxation opened. In May 2013, the old Iitaka Station was renovated and an early morning cafe called "Iitaka Chaya" was opened. In July 2016, a sister cafe called "Hase Station" was opened in the Hase district of Iitaka Town. As of April 2018, there are 18 roadside stations in the prefecture, but this one is the only one with a day-trip natural hot spring facility, and it has remained popular to this day.