If you are planning a small trip by car or bus from Tokyo to Gotenba, Mount Fuji, Kawaguchi lake, Yamanaka lake, Nagoya, etc, you will probably take Tomei expressway. If so, we recommend you drop by Ebina service area on the way to your destination.
Ebina service area is on Tomei expressway, which starts from Tokyo, passing through many major tourist attractions, and ends at Nagoya. There are service areas on both side of the expressway, toward Nagoya and toward Tokyo. Both are very big but the one toward Nagoya has a bit more shops, facilities, and larger parking space. I recommend those who are interested in universal design to take a look, everything is well thought for everyone’s convenience. The following are things you should not miss.
1. Right after you turn into the service area, there will be signs telling you which area of the parking is available, so you don’t have to waste time looking around empty lot. Bus and truck parking area are further apart, big moterbike and disabled parking are right in front of the building.
2. In the very big parking lot where everything looks the same, remembering where you parked won’t be a problem. There are signs with numbers right in front of each parking space.
3. Most people drop by service area for restroom break. In weekends, traffic can be quite bad but you won’t be disappointed with Japanese public restroom here. The signage of men and women toilet are very big and clear with red and blue color, and all written in Japanese, Korean, Chinese and English. Everything in the building is barrier free. Separate restroom are available for wheelchair users.
4. There are boards of display showing where Japanese style, western style, baby changing station, baby chair, make up and changing area, for kids and parents are, and of course they tell you whether they are vacant or occupied.
Red light means occupied, blue light means vacant.
Information board showing vacancy of the restroom.
Universal toilet.
5. You can check traffic information, accident, snow etc. on the big screen.
6. Smoking room is also available.
7. There is a food court with various shops and most of them are open 24 hours. You can buy something to eat from any of them and sit together in the space in the middle. Tea and drinking water are free of charge.
Shops can be changed from time to time.
8. There are plenty of food stalls and souvenir shops selling famous products from nearby cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Shizuoka, Hakone. You probably will spend at least 30 minutes once you enter the shopping area. It is good idea to shop here if you have no time at the airport or if you want to pack everything into your suitcase beforehand. Light snacks, lunch boxes and drinks are also available.
Melon-flavored bread is very famous here. There are many kinds including one with melon cream filling. For those who love melon bread, you should not miss.
Many drink vending machines to choose from, hot, cold, cup and bottle.
Most of you may know Tokyo Banana already, so, this time I chose another best selling ‘Tokyo Mille-Feuille’ to taste.
This is a smallest box. 6 pieces for 600 Yen.
Nice package and easy to share.
Cream filling is covered by crispy pie. My impression is that it is not too sweet, and full of milk and butter flavor. People who were asked thought it was very delicious and it is good to bring as a souvenir since it can last longer than a month. Kids really love it and so it can be a good afternoon tea snack.
For more information, please visit the website. (Japanese only)
http://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/sapa?sapainfoid=9
http://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/sapa?sapainfoid=10
【インフォメーション】
Store name: Ebina service area
Address:
Towards Tokyo: 5-2-1 Oyaminami, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa
Towards Nagoya: 5-1-1 Oyaminami, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa
Phone: N/A
Hours: 24 hours
Holiday: Open everyday
Average budget: Free
Map:
Comments