Memorable Lake Hamana Service Area

My husband and I used to drive a lot before we got married.
We sat side by side listening to our favorite songs and radio and talked a lot.
Our first long-distance date was to Lake Hamana.
I remember eating Nagashi Somen noodles at the Hamanako Service Area on the way.
We went to Lake Hamana when our first child was two years old, and again last year with our second child, so all four of us went.
I'm embarrassed so I don't tell my husband, but now that we have two children,
I'm kind of happy to be sitting in the passenger seat again.
Expressway and service area with family history.
This year, my grandparents are also talking about going to Lake Hamana with me.

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With my teenage son

My son is better at eating, speaking, and exercising than other children his age.
I felt like my growth was slowing down.
On the first school visit, when all the students in the first grade classroom raised their hands,
Only my son was looking into space.
My heart was pounding and I was frustrated with my son.
And I became anxious as I imagined what would become of my son in this world.
My husband would often say "It's OK" whenever something happened to our son, but my worry never stopped.
My son learns slowly, but once he learns something he stays there, memorizing it well and trying to understand it deeply.
She's not like me, who is skillful and adept at getting things done. She's more like my husband.

My son, who used to be friendly and cheerful, has become a little quieter since entering junior high school.
This may also be because we moved to my husband's parents' house when I started junior high school.
I didn't have my own room in my Tokyo apartment,
In some cases, newly built homes here have individual rooms.
Maybe I was feeling lonely, but with my best friend from elementary school in Tokyo,
I spend all my time on my smartphone and playing online games.
I actually regret that I should have moved when my child was about to start elementary school.

The mother says that her child is not like her.
"Nothing has gone your way."

As my husband said, I'm sure it'll be fine.

2AM

My husband studied photography at the same vocational school as me.
My husband's friend was a student in the same dance course as me, so we got to know each other.
After graduating, he began working in a photography studio.
Sometimes I would join them when they went out to take photos.
I gave up dancing and got a job at a sports club and started Pilates.
Obtained instructor license.
It was around that time that I became pregnant.

My husband quit the photography studio and decided to get a job at a transportation company.
I said I wanted to save money because I have never saved money in my life.
Even as my belly grew, I still felt guilty.
I think if he had continued to pursue a career as a photographer, his life might have been different.

Now I work as a Pilates instructor.
My child will soon be in elementary school.
My husband still takes a lot of photos.
Most of the photos are of scenery and food taken at service areas on Expressway.
I also took photos of the people unloading the cargo.
I sometimes look at photos of my husband and think to myself that he takes amazing photos.

He once said
He said that being a truck driver "feels like traveling."
When I travel, all I think about is the daily things.
Remembering the little things,
You feel the warmth of your home and want to go home quickly.

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Standing Alone

If the bus had been a little later, I could have gone to see them off, but I couldn't leave the store.
My husband was the one who closed the store for this day.
Every morning, my husband and daughter would run to the shrine and work out together on the stairs.
My husband always went to watch our daughter's games, even if it was far away, and collected data.

Even during summer vacation, the volleyball club, which regularly participates in national tournaments, never stops practicing.
It seems that I won't be able to come back here for a while. Even in the interview for the recommendation, of course, volleyball,
There was a story that he never neglected his studies.
The libero for Japan's national team, who graduated from the same high school, apparently didn't return to his hometown even once in those three years.

This morning I cooked rice with my daughter's favorite ingredients.
I suddenly felt sorry for him, thinking that he wouldn't be able to eat any of his favorite foods once he moved into the dormitory.
(My daughter is like me in that she has a lot of likes and dislikes.)
Even so, the food in the dormitory is properly nutritionally managed,
The food is made by a professional chef in the city. In fact, he said with a laugh that it might be even more delicious than the food he makes at home.
By the way, I said I don't need that girl,
I should have forced him to hold the ankoro mochi.
You must be hungry by now.

I have never left this town surrounded by mountains.
Maybe we won't live together anymore.
It's not a permanent farewell, and if you ever want to see each other again, we'll always be together.
Come on, don't stop. I need to get my act together too.

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with a little happiness
NEXCO CENTRAL Corporate Commercial Theme Song

LyricsWhere you go, the setting sun will shine
Flowers blooming in the breeze with each step you take
And as you climb ever upon your mountain
It whispers words of trust to you

reason Wherever you go, the setting sun will continue to shine on you
With each step, flowers swaying in the wind bloom in profusion
Every time you climb a mountain
Words of trust are whispered

Lyricist: Kurt Jessen
Composer: Yuko Ishii
Vocals: Eri Liao

We received applications from everyone.
"A Little Happiness Episode"
Announcement of Results

with a little happiness

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In casual conversations, in the scenery we happen to see,
Happiness is waiting to be discovered.
It doesn't have to be special or big,
If your heart feels a little warmer,
That is one kind of happiness. Listening to the small throbbing of my heart,
I try to look closely at even the faint thrills.
We think.
If we could cherish the little joys,
Every day will be richer. Cars aren't the only things that run on this road.
Kindness, curiosity, and invisible feelings
There's a lot of running.
To connect emotions and share warmth.

NEXCO CENTRAL Corporate Commercial Theme Song
"With a little happiness"

Beside a little happiness

A story about the simple happiness of traveling on Expressway.

With my teenage son​ Story01

During adolescence, communication
A mother worries about her son, who has become difficult.
Despite his mother's worries, the son slowly
But it was definitely growing.

Thumbnail of "With my teenage son"
Photo of Nyuzen PA (In-bound) on Hokuriku Expwy

Filming Location

Hokuriku Expwy
Nyuzen PA (In-bound)

Midnight 2:00​ Story02

Late-night work,
I can do my best because I have a family that gives me smiles.
Look, somewhere today
There are people who are being healed.

Thumbnail of "2am"
Hokuriku Expwy Tokumitsu PA (Out-bound) Photo

Filming Location

Hokuriku Expwy
Tokumitsu PA (Out-bound)

Standing Alone​ Story03

A girl goes to the city to chase her dreams.
But it's okay, it's not a permanent separation.
If you want to meet
Because the roads are always connected.

Thumbnail of the Independence Edition
Photo of the express bus stop Johana SA (In-bound) on Hokuriku Expwy

Filming Location

Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy
Johana SA (In-bound)
Expressway bus stop

Memorable Service Areas​ Story02

My husband and I used to drive a lot before we got married.
The first time we went out together,
A service area with a panoramic view of the lake.
Even after marriage
I came here with my children.
This is where our family history is written.

Thumbnail of "Memorable Service Areas"
An interview with the creator of the episode that inspired the company's commercial
It became the basis for a company commercial.
Interview with the episode's creator Read the interview

Filming Location

Tomei Expwy
EXPASA Lake Hamana
(Top and bottom combined)