Makino's Roadside Station Opens in Sakawa, Honoring Botanist Tomitaro Makino

A new roadside station (Michi-no-Eki) named after Tomitaro Makino, the father of Japanese botany, has opened in Sakawa, Kochi Prefecture. The project was selected through an open proposal competition and designed by a team including STUDIO YY, WORKSTATION, and Wakatake Town Planning Research Institute. The architects—Tsuyoshi Nakamoto, Yuichi Tanaka, Yahiro Sato, Kohei Ichikawa, Akiko Takahashi, and Hiroshi Takahashi—set aside initial conditions to draw out the natural beauty of the landscape cherished by Makino. The town's mayor, who served on the jury, noted that the winning proposal had appeared in his dreams, reflecting its deep connection to Sakawa's spirit. The facility spans 2,113 m² and was completed in 2023. Construction was handled by Kishinoue Construction, with structural design by Yamada Noriaki Structural Design Office. Manufacturers include SHIKOKU CHEMICALS CORPORATION and TOHO-LEO co., ltd. The station serves as both a train station and public architecture, curated by Miwa Negoro.