Reiwa Travel releases rankings for Japan's top service areas and family travel spots

Reiwa Travel, through its travel booking app NEWT, has released two major rankings regarding domestic travel trends in Japan.

The first study ranks the top 30 most popular highway service areas (SA) and parking areas (PA) across the country. Ebina Service Area on the Tomei Expressway took first place, recognized as a ‘gourmet theme park’ due to its vast selection of restaurants and specialty items like melon pan. Other top locations include Ashigara Service Area in Shizuoka (2nd), Dangozaka Service Area in Yamanashi (3rd), and Umihotaru Parking Area in Chiba (4th). The data suggests that highway rest stops are evolving from simple transit points into primary travel destinations.

The second study identifies the top 30 municipalities for ‘tabi-iku’ (educational travel) for families, timed with the upcoming Silver Week holiday period. Obanazawa in Yamagata Prefecture ranked first, highlighted by the historic Ginzan Onsen area. Nasu in Tochigi (2nd) and Noboribetsu in Hokkaido (3rd) also secured top spots. The rankings emphasize destinations that offer experiential learning, such as animal interactions, fruit picking, and traditional craft workshops.