Take the map with you
Michi-no-eki offline map — free GPX & KML download
Mobile coverage on Japan's mountain and coastal roads can vanish for long stretches — exactly where the michi-no-eki are. Download all 1,145 mapped roadside stations as a single file and every stop stays on your map with no signal: pick a format, load it into your GPS or offline-maps app, and drive.
- 1,145roadside stations mapped
- 3formats — GPX · KML · GeoJSON
- Freeno sign-up, no account
- Offlineno mobile signal needed
Works with OsmAnd, Organic Maps, CoMaps, Garmin, Google Earth, Locus & maps.me · built from Japan's official government michi-no-eki data (MLIT).
All 1,145 michi-no-eki as GPX, KML or GeoJSON — opens in OsmAnd, Organic Maps, CoMaps, Garmin, Google Earth, Locus and maps.me with no signal.
Take the whole map offline
Every michi-no-eki in one file for your GPS app. MichiStops is free — before you grab it, a quick look at the tools we'd book for this exact trip is what keeps the map free. Thank you 🙏
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Grab your file:
GPX → OsmAnd, Garmin, Locus · KML → Google Earth, Google My Maps, maps.me · GeoJSON → developers. Each point carries its name, category and a link back for full details, hours and photos.
Which file should I choose?
All three files contain the same points — the difference is which app reads them:
- GPX — the universal GPS format. Use it in OsmAnd, Organic Maps, CoMaps, Garmin devices, Locus Map and most car sat-navs. This is the best pick for turn-by-turn offline navigation on a phone or dedicated GPS.
- KML — opens in Google Earth, Google My Maps, Organic Maps, CoMaps and maps.me. Best if you want to browse the stations visually or build a custom My Maps layer for your trip.
- GeoJSON — for developers and GIS tools such as QGIS or your own web map.
How to load it (quick start)
- OsmAnd: Menu → My Places → Tracks → Import → choose the
.gpxfile. Stations appear as waypoints you can navigate to offline. - maps.me: open the
.kmlfile and choose "Open with maps.me". Your stops show up as bookmarks on the offline map. - Organic Maps / CoMaps: open the
.kmlor.gpxfile and choose Organic Maps (or CoMaps) — the stations import as bookmarks and work fully offline, no SIM needed. A favourite of cyclists and hitchhikers on Japan's backroads. - Google Earth / My Maps: import the
.kmlfile directly to see all stations, each with a link back to its full page. - Garmin: copy the
.gpxinto the device'sGPXfolder, or import it through Garmin BaseCamp.
Each point keeps its English and Japanese name, prefecture, facilities and a link back to MichiStops. Opening hours, photos and full descriptions live on the site — tap the link when you're back online. Before you leave, you can also install MichiStops as an app: open the map and choose "Add to Home Screen", and the core map is cached for offline browsing too.
Before you drive the backroads
An offline map is only half of a rural road trip. The other half is a car and a way to stay online for the stretches that do have coverage — live traffic, translation and the station links all need data.
FAQ
Can I download the michi-no-eki map for offline use?
Yes. MichiStops lets you download all 1,145 mapped michi-no-eki as a single GPX, KML or GeoJSON file, free of charge. Load it into a GPS or offline-maps app and every roadside station shows up as a waypoint even when you have no mobile signal — ideal for rural Japan where coverage can drop out.
What is the difference between the GPX, KML and GeoJSON files?
They hold the same points in different formats. GPX is the universal GPS format — use it in OsmAnd, Garmin devices, Locus Map and most sat-navs. KML opens in Google Earth, Google My Maps and maps.me. GeoJSON is for developers and mapping tools like QGIS. If you are unsure, choose GPX for a phone app or a car GPS, KML for Google Earth or My Maps.
How do I open the GPX file in OsmAnd or maps.me?
In OsmAnd: Menu → My Places → Tracks → Import, then pick the downloaded .gpx file; the stations appear as waypoints you can navigate to offline. In maps.me: open the .kml file with the app (Android: from your Files app choose “Open with maps.me”; iOS: share the file to maps.me). Google Earth and Google My Maps both import the .kml directly.
What information does each point include?
Every waypoint carries the station’s English name, its Japanese name, the prefecture, its main facilities (onsen, restaurant, EV charging, showers, camping, lodging, and so on) and a link back to its full MichiStops page. Opening hours, photos and detailed descriptions live on the website — open the link when you are back online for the complete picture.
Is the offline map really free, and can I share it?
It is free to download and use for your own trip. The file is built from Japan’s open government station data (MLIT) plus our English processing; please do not republish or redistribute the file itself — link people to this page instead so they always get the current version. Affiliate links on this page help keep the map free.
How often is the data updated?
The download is generated live from the same dataset that powers the interactive map, so each time you download you get the current set of mapped stations. Re-download before a big trip to pick up any additions.
Plan the trip, not just the download
Ready to turn these stops into a route? Use the route planner to pick michi-no-eki along your way and open the whole trip in Google Maps, browse ready-made road-trip itineraries, or start with our best road trips in Japan guide. New to these stations? Read what a michi-no-eki is and whether you can sleep overnight at one.
Back to the interactive map →