The Hanyu parking area (link in Japanese) on the Tohoku Expressway in Saitama Prefecture reproduces a real Edo style feel. It was opened only in December 2013 and is maybe the most surprising parking area I have seen so far.
The concept expresses the world of Onihei Hankacho, a popular series of Japanese dramas. The stories were written by Shotaro Ikenami, a popular historical novelist. The main character is a special police officer looking after arson-robbery during the Edo Period. Especially Japanese males like the Edo style detective dramas, and it seems indeed that male visitors outnumber female ones. In any case it is a fantastic place to take a rest from driving and go for a little walk!
