Umihotaru: A Rest Stop on the Sea

Umihotaru, meaning 'sea firefly' in Japanese, is a one-of-a-kind rest area situated on an artificial island that straddles the tunnel and bridge sections of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line. This expressway connects Kisarazu City in Chiba Prefecture with Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture, offering a swift route across Tokyo Bay. Opened in 1997, Umihotaru provides a multifaceted experience. The structure has five floors, with parking on the lower levels and a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions on the upper levels. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo Bay, encompassing the city skyline, the Boso Peninsula, and even Mount Fuji on clear days. Telescopes are available to enhance the viewing experience. Inside Umihotaru, you'll find a range of dining options, from casual food court fare to restaurants serving local delicacies like clam ramen and seafood rice bowls. Souvenir shops offer a variety of Chiba Prefecture specialties, including sweets and local crafts. There's also an amusement arcade, a foot bath, and a museum dedicated to the Aqua-Line's construction. A monument displays a cutter head from the tunnel-boring machine used in the Aqua-Line's construction.