Road Station Ozekaido Mishimajuku, Fukushima

Road Station Ozekaido Mishimajuku stands along National Route 252 in Mishima Town, Fukushima Prefecture, serving as the gateway to one of Japan's most photographed railway bridges. This roadside station functions as both a rest stop for travelers and the primary access point for visitors seeking to capture the iconic No.1 Tadami River Bridge viewpoint.

The station gained international recognition as the starting point for reaching the famous Tadami River Bridge No.1 viewpoint, which has become a symbol of rural Japan's scenic beauty. The viewpoint requires just a 10-minute walk from the roadside station through clearly marked paths. The steel bridge spans 174 meters across the Tadami River with a main arch reaching 112 meters in length, constructed between 1938 and 1941 as part of the 135-kilometer Tadami Line connecting Fukushima and Niigata prefectures.

Visitors can browse an extensive collection of local products inside the station, including fresh seasonal produce, traditional paulownia wood crafts, and Oku-Aizu ami-kumi-zaiku woven wicker goods that represent centuries-old regional craftsmanship. The restaurant serves oyako-don featuring Aizu jidori chicken, a local specialty. The station showcases the area's traditional industries, particularly the intricate basket weaving and woodworking techniques that have defined Mishima's cultural identity.

The surrounding landscape changes dramatically with each season, offering photographers and nature enthusiasts different experiences throughout the year. Visitors can witness morning fog over the Tadami River in summer, vibrant autumn foliage reflected in the water during fall, and snow-covered mountain vistas in winter. The JR Tadami Line trains cross the bridge at scheduled times, creating opportunities to photograph the moving train against the mountain backdrop.

To reach the station, take the JR Tadami Line from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Aizu-Miyashita Station, which takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes and costs ¥860 one-way. A commuter bus operates Monday through Saturday, departing Aizu-Miyashita Station at 8:10 AM and arriving at the roadside station five minutes later, though it does not run on Sundays or national holidays. The roadside station opens daily at 8:00 AM. By car, the location is approximately 20 minutes from Aizubange Interchange via the Banetsu Expressway. The station provides free parking and serves as the designated parking area for bridge viewpoint visitors.