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Michi-no-Eki Kadena, located in Kadena Town, Okinawa Prefecture, is a facility that exudes a unique charm due to its unique location adjacent to the Kadena Air Force Base.
With an observatory overlooking the U.S. military base, a learning and exhibition room introducing local history and culture, and a store selling local specialties, it is a popular place for locals and visitors to interact with each other.
Recently, it has been called the “Mecca of kitchen cars! I hear it is called “the mecca of kitchen cars” these days.
We will give a thorough description of such a roadside station, Kadena!
Features and Highlights of Roadside Station Kadena
View of Kadena Air Base from the Observation Deck: The four-story observation deck offers a magnificent view of Kadena Air Base. Visitors can watch fighter jets take off and land up close for a powerful experience.
Learning Exhibition Room: There is a learning exhibition room where visitors can learn about the history of Kadena Town and its relationship with the base. This is a particularly good place for those interested in peace studies and local history.
Recommended Roadside Stations & Direct Sales Stations in Okinawa! Local spots you must visit at least once!
Roadside Station Kanaena Basic Information
| name | Roadside Station Kadena |
| address (e.g. of house) | 1026-3 Yara, Kadena-cho, Okinawa, Japan |
| Phone number | 098-957-5678 |
| Business Hours | 9:00-18:00 (9:00-17:30 for refreshments and special products sales area) |
| regular closing day | the New Year’s holiday |
| parking lot | 100 standard-sized cars, 10 large-sized cars |
| Facility Details | Observation deck, learning and exhibition rooms, information and rest rooms, restrooms, public telephones, snacks and specialty products sales corner |
| special remarks | The observatory offers a panoramic view of Kadena Air Force Base, and the exhibition hall will be reopened in April 2023. |
A great way to reserve a rental car that locals also use!
Souvenirs and stores at Roadside Station Kanaena
Michi no Eki Kadena attracts visitors with a variety of souvenirs and restaurants that make the most of Kadena Town’s rich produce.
A wide variety of products are available, from stores selling local specialties to unique items associated with the proximity of an American military base.
Particularly popular items
Jumbo Burger: Locals and tourists alike love this burger for its enormous size and juicy flavor. This burger offers enough satisfaction just to eat one.
Noguni Imo Soft Ice Cream: Soft ice cream made from Noguni Imo, a specialty of Kadena Town, has a sweet and gentle flavor. This soft serve ice cream is a popular sweet treat that allows visitors to easily enjoy the local flavor.
Goods associated with the U.S. military base: Unique to a roadside station adjacent to Kadena Air Force Base, there is a wide selection of military goods. With aircraft models, patches, T-shirts, and more, there are plenty of items for military fans to choose from.
Delicious food and tenants
rotary drive-in
Famous for its jumbo burgers, this restaurant has long been a favorite drive-in for local residents. It features American-sized volume and juicy hamburgers. The jumbo cheeseburger is especially recommended!
gift shop
This store sells local products from Kadena Town and unique goods related to the U.S. military base. A can’t-miss spot for tourists.
Goods associated with the U.S. military base and locally produced Noguni potato products
store selling boiled vegetables, fish, and beans
Sells mainly sataa andagi, a traditional Okinawan sweet. We have a wide variety of products.
History and culture of Roadside Station Kanaena
The Learning Exhibition Room at Roadside Station Kadena delves deeply into the history and culture of Kadena Town and its coexistence with the U.S. Kadena Air Base. The following points are particularly highlighted
History of Coexistence: In the exhibition room, visitors can learn about the history of coexistence between the town of Kadena and the U.S. military base from its establishment after the Battle of Okinawa to the present. As part of Okinawa’s painful history, the exhibit details how the bases have affected the daily life of the town and how the townspeople have adapted and coexisted with the situation.
Fusion of Cultures: Another important theme of the exhibit is the fusion of American culture and traditional Okinawan culture brought about by the U.S. military bases. Through specific examples, the exhibit shows how the cultures of the U.S. and Okinawa have influenced each other and created a new local culture.
Wish for Peace: In the exhibition room, visitors can look back on the tragedies of past wars, including the Battle of Okinawa, and renew their wish for peace. The message to visitors is to learn from history and hope for peace in the future.
The Learning and Exhibition Hall at Roadside Station Kanaena offers more than just a tourist attraction.
It provides visitors with new insights and inspiration as a valuable resource for deepening their historical context and cultural understanding, as well as their awareness of peace.
Bronze statue of Nokoku Fusokan as a spot for praying
The bronze statue of Founder Nokuni installed at Michi no Eki Kadana is a monument to pass on his achievements to future generations in light of this historical background.
Through the statue, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the great achievements of Nokoku Soukan and gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kingdom period.
Nokoku Sogan is a very important part of the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom and now Okinawa Prefecture.
By bringing back sweet potatoes, the Okinawan people were able to overcome famine and subsequently build an economic foundation.
Since then, sweet potatoes have remained a staple food in Okinawa and have been used in a variety of dishes, becoming an integral part of Okinawan culture.
The Roadside Station Kadena, where a bronze statue of Nokoku Soukan is located, is also loved by many visitors as a facility where they can enjoy not only Okinawa’s history and culture, but also nature and food.
The bronze statue of Noguni Sogun is not just a tourist attraction, but is positioned as an important symbol that links Okinawa’s past and present.
A variety of events will be held
A wide variety of events are held at Michi no Eki Kadena.
In 2023, the roadside station Kanena will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and a fashion show will be held,
There is also a monthly music event called Challenge Station.
A mecca for kitchen cars!
Recently, several kitchen cars have been gathering daily.
In conjunction with the event, U.S. military personnel gathered at the roadside station Kadena, and it is whispered that the roadside station Kadena is a “mecca for kitchen cars!
Peace Study Guide in Roadside Station Kana
As the only roadside station adjacent to Kadena Air Base, Michi no Eki Kadena offers a “Peace Study Guide” to encourage visitors not only to be amazed but also to think deeply about peace.
This program is especially suitable for students and group travelers to experience Kadena Town as a new educational travel destination.
Facility Features
Spacious and clean facility: The facility, which was expanded and renovated in April 2022, can park 11 large buses and has two restrooms.
Observation deck: We own an observation deck that offers a close-up view of Kadena Air Base and can accommodate large groups of visitors.
Completely renewed exhibit rooms: In April 2023, the exhibit rooms will be completely renewed, increasing the amount of information with exhibit content dedicated to peace studies.
Study Contents
The Peace Study Guide consists of three parts.
- Observation Deck Guide: Experience first-hand the scale of the base and the reality of the fighter jet noise through a tour of Kadena Air Base from the observation deck.
- Exhibit Guide: Learn about the history of Kadena Town and its bases and specialized exhibits on peace in the renovated exhibit hall.
- Base Briefing: An overview of the base is presented in an easy-to-understand manner using monitors and exploration sheets.
Guide Features
- Guide time is approximately 60 minutes, including travel.
- The minimum number of participants is 20, and one guide can accommodate up to approximately 40 people.
- Chairs are provided in the room for concentrated study.
Charge
- Students: 770 yen
- General: 1,100 yen Company travel and group travel
Roadside Station Kadena Awards
Roadside Station Kadena has won awards for its unique location, facility content, and educational programs.
Display Industry Grand Prize (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award)
The Learning Exhibition Room at Roadside Station Kanena received the Display Industry Grand Prize (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award) at the 42nd Display Industry Awards 2023.
This award recognizes activities that contribute to the improvement of lifestyle and culture and the development of national landscapes through displays, and honors outstanding works.
The exhibition room at Michi no Eki Kadena was highly evaluated for its content and its special focus on peace education to inform visitors about Kadena’s current status as a “base town” in an easy-to-understand manner.
Tourism EXPO Japan Booth Grand Prix Special Award
At Tourism Expo Japan 2023 Osaka-Kansai, MICHINOEKI KADANA received a special award in the Tourism Expo Japan Booth Grand Prix, an award given to booths that have made the exhibition more exciting by visitors’ votes among the booths exhibited.
The American and pop-style booths, the “smallest town in Japan” experience through footprint maps and other devices, and the booth displays that fully emphasized the town’s attractions, such as peace guides and videos on nature and food, were highly evaluated.
Customer Testimonials
- Up-close-and-personal experience of the base: Visitors are overwhelmed by the observation deck, which offers a close-up view of Kadena Air Base. The vastness of the base and the rare experience of watching fighter jets take off and land right in front of you are unforgettable memories for many visitors.
- Delicious food made with local ingredients: Visitors also appreciate that the restaurant’s cuisine makes the most of fresh local ingredients. Visitors can enjoy local delicacies such as jumbo burgers and Noguni Imo soft serve ice cream.
- Educational Value: Many visitors, especially families, have said that this is a facility they would like to show their children. The museum offers a variety of educational programs, including a Peace Study Guide, which provides a good opportunity to think about history and peace.
Roadside Station Kadena Surrounding Facilities
Hijagawa Experience Center
Located along the Hiyagawa River, which has the largest watershed area on the main island of Okinawa, this center contributes to the revitalization of the region as a center for nature experience learning and tourism promotion.
The calm currents are attractive for activities such as kayaking.
It is famous as the place where you can experience “the closest mangrove kayaking from Tokyo.
Shinmachi Street
The retro atmosphere of Shinmachi Street offers a taste of the real Okinawa that cannot be found in resort areas.
The area is lined with unique cafes and taverns, where you can enjoy delicious food at local prices.
Minister of the Interior (669-1868 CE)
Noguni Soukan, also respected as the “Great King of Umu,” is said to have brought sweet potatoes (kansho = sweet potato) back to Okinawa from China.
The Nokoku Soken Festival, which honors his achievements, is a source of local tradition and pride.
It is said that the word “sweet potato” was introduced from Okinawa to Satsuma (Kyushu).
caisson-shaped beach
It is known for its beautiful sunsets and loved by the locals. With few pedestrians, it is the perfect place for a quiet sea view or a stroll along the shoreline. It is also famous as a diving spot.
How to access
Access by car
- Approx. 50 minutes from Naha Airport (drive north on Route 58, turn right at Kadena Town Hall/Kadena roundabout toward Okinawa City, and follow Prefectural Road 74)
Access by bus
- From Naha direction: Take No. 120 “Nago West Airport Line”, No. 28 or 29 “Yomitan Line”, get off at “Kadena Bus Stop”, transfer to No. 62 “Chuo Line”, get off at “Kadena-cho Athletic Park Entrance” bus stop.
- From Nago: Take No. 120 Nago West Airport Route, get off at Kadena Bus Stop, transfer to No. 62 Chuo Route, and get off at Kadena-cho Athletic Park Entrance Bus Stop.
summary
Michi no Eki Kadena is a rare place where visitors can experience firsthand the reality of Okinawa’s existence with the Kadena Air Base.
While enjoying delicious local food, you will also learn about history and culture and have a chance to think about peace. If you visit Okinawa, be sure to stop by.
Recommended Roadside Stations & Direct Sales Stations in Okinawa! Local spots you must visit at least once!
If you want to enjoy Okinawa, get discount tickets online!
special feature article
Roadside Stations and Direct Selling Stations Special Feature!
Michi no Eki (Roadside Stations) and direct sales shops in Okinawa are very popular tourist attractions. Each has its own unique characteristics, making them 200% worth visiting! Please visit them!
Special feature on beaches on the main island of Okinawa!
The main island of Okinawa has many wonderful beaches that can only be found in the tropics. We will introduce each of them in an easy-to-understand manner, from the very secluded to the well-serviced executive beaches.
Typhoon Okinawa
We have compiled a list of points to keep in mind when a typhoon approaches so that you can respond without panic before or during your trip. We hope you will find it useful.
One of the best spots for lunch in Okinawa!
