Japan is Nippon 日本語
Glass-covered Port Tower Selion rising above the harbor at Akita Port
Photo: Douglas P. Perkins, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Akita · viewpoint

Michi-no-Eki Akita Port (Port Tower Selion)

道の駅 あきた港

A roadside station built around Selion, Akita Port's glass tower. Its free 100 m observatory looks out to the Sea of Japan, Oga Peninsula and Mount Chokai.

View from the Selion observation deck toward central Akita city
Photo: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The tower seen through the glass roof of the Selion Lista indoor garden
Photo: Ocavis Leechroot, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Selion, the symbol of the port

Michi-no-Eki Akita Port is in the Tsuchizaki district of Akita City, next to Akita Port. At its heart is Selion, the Akita City Port Tower, which opened in 1994. The whole tower is clad in 6,272 panes of glass, and it has become the symbol of the port. Its name combines "sea" and "pavilion" and was chosen from entries sent in from all over Japan.

A michi-no-eki ("roadside station") is a government-registered rest area on an ordinary road. As well as parking and toilets, they have shops selling local specialities and places to eat, so they are easy stops on a road trip. Selion was registered as a michi-no-eki in 2010.

A free observatory 100 m up

The highlight is the observation room 100 m above the ground. Entry is free, and the 360-degree panorama takes in the Sea of Japan, the city of Akita, the Oga Peninsula and, on clear days, Mount Chokai.

Next to the tower are Selion Lista, a glass-walled indoor garden, and Selion Plaza, which has a multi-purpose hall, so it is a comfortable place to spend time even when it rains or snows.

Akita flavours and souvenirs

Inside, a shop gathers Akita specialities: kiritanpo, Inaniwa udon (Akita's famous thin, hand-stretched udon noodles), pickles, local sake and more. You can also find a soft-serve version of Babahera, Akita's famous ice cream, and even an udon vending machine.

It is about 20 minutes by car from JR Akita Station, or about 25 minutes on foot from JR Tsuchizaki Station. There is a free car park. Opening hours can change with the season, so check the official website.

Tips

  • The observation room is free, so if you are passing Akita Port it is worth stopping just for the view.
  • To see distant Mount Chokai and the Oga Peninsula, go on a clear, sunny day when the air is crisp.
  • It is also handy for buying Akita souvenirs all in one place: kiritanpo, Inaniwa udon, local sake and more.

Sources

Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

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