Savor the Heart of Hokkaido’s Glutinous Rice Tradition
Mochigome no Sato Nayoro (Glutinous Rice Village Nayoro) stands as a welcoming roadside station at the southern gateway of Nayoro City, nestled along National Route 40 amidst rolling farmland and sweeping natural landscapes. This vibrant hub celebrates the region’s cherished staple—glutinous rice—with a deep commitment to local agriculture, sustainability, and community. Visitors can sample seasonal dishes at the on-site restaurant, enjoy live demonstrations of traditional rice pounding, and explore a wide array of locally crafted treats like soft mochi, cream-filled daifuku, and regional specialties such as the famed Nayoro-style grilled lamb. With real-time local information via the community radio station, ample parking, and easy access to nearby attractions like the Pyasiri Ski Resort and Nayoro Health Forest, this roadside station offers a true taste of rural Hokkaido—where flavor, culture, and nature come together.
Why Visit
Mochigome no Sato Nayoro stands out as the only roadside station in the region where you can witness live, automated mochi pounding using locally grown glutinous rice—a rare hands-on experience that showcases the heart of Nayoro’s agricultural heritage. Its signature soft mochi, especially the creamy "Soft Daifuku" and the unique "Namei Sei" (a local twist on traditional sweets), are available only here, crafted daily from the area’s prized rice.
Restaurants & Dining
Savor the essence of Nayoro at Mochigome no Sato Nayoro, where seasonal ingredients meet local traditions in every bite.
Wind of the Way
お食事 風の寄り道
Specialty
Local dishes featuring glutinous rice and buckwheat, with seasonal vegetables and regional ingredients
A restaurant offering meals made with local ingredients, focusing on the region's specialty of glutinous rice and buckwheat, with fresh seasonal vegetables and farm-to-table produce. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, reflecting the rural charm of Nayoro.
Takeout Corner
テイクアウトコーナー
Specialty
Quick snacks made with local glutinous rice and dairy
A takeout counter offering light meals and snacks made with locally sourced glutinous rice and fresh dairy, perfect for a quick bite on the go.
Shopping Highlights
Discover unique local treasures and handmade goods at Mochigome no Sato Nayoro’s vibrant marketplace.
Specialty Products Shop
特産品販売コーナー
A shop selling a variety of local specialty products, including traditional sweets and regional food items made from local ingredients.
Products
Must-Try Item
Soft Mochi Dumplings
Local Farm Produce Market
農産物直売所
A direct sales market for fresh, locally grown agricultural products from Nayoro and surrounding areas.
Products
Must-Try Item
Glutinous Rice
Buckwheat Flour and Mill
そば粉製粉販売
A shop specializing in locally milled buckwheat flour, produced from regional buckwheat and sold in bulk or packaged form.
Products
Must-Try Item
Freshly Milled Buckwheat Flour
Featured Products
Explore signature treats like soft mochi and strawberry yokan, crafted from Nayoro’s famed glutinous rice and fresh regional produce.
Cream Mochi
クリーム大福
A soft, sweet mochi filled with creamy custard, made with locally grown glutinous rice.
Soft Mochi Dumplings
ソフト大福もち
Light, fluffy mochi dumplings filled with sweet red bean paste, made using traditional methods with local glutinous rice.
Strawberry Yōkan
いちご羊羹
A traditional Japanese sweet made with red bean paste and fresh strawberries, offering a delicate balance of sweetness and fruitiness.
Nayoro Comet
名寄彗星
A unique confectionery inspired by the local name, combining sweet rice flour with a refreshing fruit flavor.
Glutinous Rice Croquette
もち米コロッケ
Crispy fried croquettes made with locally grown glutinous rice and seasoned with regional spices.
Milk Soft Cream
牛乳ソフトクリーム
Creamy soft serve made with fresh, locally sourced milk, offering a rich and smooth texture.
Buckwheat Flour
そば粉
Premium buckwheat flour milled from locally grown buckwheat, ideal for making traditional Japanese noodles and baked goods.
Facilities & Amenities
Enjoy comfortable amenities including restrooms, Wi-Fi, EV charging, and family-friendly spaces at Mochigome no Sato Nayoro.
Parking Lot
The roadside station has a parking area with 13 large vehicle spaces and 65 regular car spaces, including a covered parking area.
Adjacent to the roadside station entrance
Restroom
The facility includes standard toilets, a wheelchair-accessible toilet, an ostomy-friendly toilet, and a changing table. It also features a bidet toilet with warm water cleaning.
Inside the roadside station building
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available for visitors throughout the roadside station.
Throughout the facility
Information Center
The information center provides regional road information, emergency medical details, weather updates, disaster alerts, and guides to local leisure facilities and tourism events. It also serves as a community hub for concerts and events.
Main hall of the roadside station
Kids Play Area
The facility includes a large indoor combination playground and an outdoor soft dome for children to enjoy.
Near the Hokkaido Sappir Park
Nayoro Spa Sanpiller
A natural hot spring located adjacent to the Piyasiri Ski Resort. It offers a relaxing experience to enjoy the majestic forest and the four seasons of the region.
Adjacent to Piyasiri Ski Resort
EV Charging Station
Electric vehicle charging stations are available at the roadside station.
Parking area
Nursing Room
A private room equipped with a changing table and seating for nursing mothers, located within the restroom area.
Near the restrooms
Local FM Air Teshi
A satellite booth for the local community radio station 78.8 MHz, providing real-time updates on events and traffic information. Available via car radio in the surrounding area.
Inside the roadside station
Activities & Experiences
Immerse yourself in hands-on workshops and seasonal events that celebrate Nayoro’s rich agricultural heritage.
Automatic Rice Cake Making Demonstration
自動餅つきの実演
Participants can watch the traditional process of making rice cakes using locally grown mochi rice in a live demonstration.
Duration
30 min
Soba Flour Production Demonstration
そばの製粉実演
Participants can observe the process of milling local buckwheat into flour, highlighting traditional methods and local ingredients.
Duration
45 min
Insider Tips
Visit during summer for the farm stand and plan ahead for winter hours to make the most of your trip to Mochigome no Sato Nayoro.
- Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM in summer (April–October) to catch the fresh batch of handmade mochi from the automatic rice pounding demonstration, which runs daily and is typically completed by 11:00 AM.
- Hidden Gems: Head to the processing display room at the special product sales counter to witness the real-time automatic rice pounding of local mochi rice, which happens daily during opening hours and is not advertised in the main shop area.
- Weekend Special: On weekends, visit the roadside station between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM to try the limited-time mochi rice ball with local honey and seasonal fruit fillings, available only during the summer months.
- Best Purchase Time: Buy the soft mochi treats at the takeout counter before 2:00 PM in winter (November–March), as the soft mochi items are replenished only once per day and often sell out by early afternoon.
- Food & Drink Tip: Order the “Nayoro Simmered Jingukskan” at the restaurant between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to ensure it is served fresh, as it is prepared in limited batches and not available after 1:00 PM.
- Local Information Source: Tune your car radio to 78.8 FM to access real-time local updates from the regional FM station “Air Teshi,” which broadcasts road conditions, weather alerts, and event schedules for the Nayoro area.
- Seasonal Product Alert: Visit the produce stand between June 10th and November 10th to purchase fresh local vegetables and fruits, including seasonal root crops and berries, which are only available during this limited window.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May): Fresh bamboo shoots available at the farm stand in early spring, with the first harvest typically in April.
Summer (June-August): Peak season for the farm stand (June to early November), offering fresh local produce and seasonal treats like soft mochi.
Autumn (September-November): Harvest season for local crops; enjoy seasonal dishes and the scenic beauty of the surrounding farmland.
Winter (December-February): Best for snow-based activities at nearby Piyasiri Ski Resort and visits to the hot spring, Naoro Spa.
Ratings
Family-Friendly Review
Offers a dedicated kids space, playground equipment, and interactive activities like automatic mochi pounding. Includes family-friendly food, nursing rooms, changing tables, and stroller accessibility. Educational elements enhance the experience.
Food Lover Review
Features a diverse menu centered on local mochi and soba, with seasonal ingredients. Offers unique regional specialties like mochi korokke and soft mochi. Fresh produce and artisanal goods available at the farm stand.
Car Camping Review
Provides restrooms, covered parking, and Wi-Fi, supporting overnight stays. Quiet location with nearby campgrounds. No explicit overnight parking policy, limiting full camping suitability.
Scenic Beauty Review
Located in a scenic rural setting along National Route 40, surrounded by natural landscapes. Offers seasonal beauty with winter snowscapes and summer greenery. Pleasant atmosphere with views of the countryside.