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【Visited November 2025】This is Motowanishi Observatory (inbound). Although it is called an observatory, it is actually a parking area located only on the inbound lanes of the Dō-Ō Expressway (toward Hakodate and Oshamambe). The parking lot has spaces for 2 large vehicles and 7 passenger cars. Near the parking area entrance is a fairly spacious lawn with benches, making it a relaxing rest stop. From the observation deck on slightly higher ground, you can enjoy views of Muroran's urban area and Muroran Port, and, if weather conditions are good, toward Komagatake. Facilities include newly rebuilt toilets, vending machines available 24 hours, and a smoking area. There is no EV charging point.

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Visited while heading toward Hakodate on an errand. Apparently this facility isn't an SA, or even a PA… On top of that, for some reason it's only on the inbound side (toward Muroran and Hakodate). I hate to put it this way, but it's a mysterious facility. Apart from having parking spaces for only a few small and large vehicles, the facility itself is about on par with a standard Hokkaido PA. It has a smoking area and vending machines too. The toilets were quite clean, perhaps because they've been renovated. However, the multipurpose toilet has no ostomate facilities (it's the increasingly common setup with equipped stalls inside the men's and women's toilets), so be aware of that. Incidentally, about the all-important scenery… considering it's labeled an “observatory”… well, that's how it feels ()

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It's unusual for a parking🅿️🚗 area to be named an observatory. Incidentally, there isn't one on the outbound side. It's an ordinary parking🅿️🚗 area with toilets🚻, １ vending machine, and otherwise only a smoking building. It opened on October ２５, １９９１ (Heisei ３). This parking🅿️🚗 area is on the inbound side (toward Hakodate), but there is no Motowanishi Observatory on the outbound side. Having one on only one side is unusual in Hokkaido too. When it opened, you could see all of Muroran's urban area, including Funka Bay, from here. However, trees get in the way, so the scenery isn't exactly wonderful, but the location is good. A fairly large green space also spreads out by the entrance, with benches and a drinking fountain. There's a hill in the nearby green space too, and what looks like an observation deck—perhaps that's appealing?. In summer, wouldn't it be nice to take your dog🐕️ for a walk and look out over Muroran Port together from the hill☺️. Stopped by for the first time in ３ years. Just as before, it's very cleanly maintained and operated☺️2025.6.28.

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・An expressway observatory ・The parking lot is rather small ・Benches available (plenty of sunshine😅) ・Smoking area available ・Vending machines available ・Toilets available, surprisingly clean😁 ・Maybe we could have seen more of the scenery if the weather had been good?😅

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