Station Pastoral Village Uryu

Discover the Heart of Hokkaido’s Rural Heritage

Nestled along National Route 275 and serving as the gateway to the UNESCO-recognized Yurou Marsh Wetland, Pastoral Village Uryu offers a vibrant blend of nature, culture, and local flavor. Surrounded by rolling farmland and framed by the distant peaks of the Shokanbetsu-Tanabe-Yakushiri National Park, this roadside station is more than a stop—it’s a living connection between city and countryside.

Here, visitors can savor freshly made Yurou Rice Tempura Fish Cakes, taste seasonal treats like Yurou Rice Ice Cream, and explore the Rainy Marsh Nature Museum, showcasing stunning photography of the region’s rare flora and fauna. With a bustling local market offering farm-fresh produce, handcrafted dried flower arrangements, and seasonal harvest events, Pastoral Village Uryu celebrates the rhythms of rural life with authenticity and warmth.

Pastoral Village Uryu stands at the gateway to the Ramsar-listed Yurou-numa Wetland, where vast marshlands stretch beneath the distant peaks of the Sushunbetsu-Tomamae-Yakumo National Park. Here, visitors can taste the region’s only rain-fed rice ice cream made from locally grown Yurou rice, a creamy, earthy treat impossible to find elsewhere. Equally unique is the on-site Yurou Rice Tempura Kama-boko, prepared fresh to order with traditional methods—each bite delivers a crisp, savory crunch that captures the essence of this farming community.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on weekdays during summer (May–October) to purchase the day’s fresh harvest of vegetables and cut flowers from the specialty produce sales area before they sell out.

• Hidden Gems: At the special produce sales area, look for the handmade dry flower wreaths and dolls crafted by local women’s groups—these are only available during the summer months and often sell out by midday.

• Weekend Special: On weekends in July, August, and September, arrive by 9:00 AM to catch the extended hours at the roadside station, which runs until 6:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy both the rainforest wetland exhibit and the fresh hot kamaboko from the takeout counter.

• Must-Try Food: Order the “Uryu Rice Tempura Kamaboko” at the takeout counter during the summer months—this exclusive item is fried fresh upon order and available only from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

• Seasonal Purchase: Reserve the new harvest of Uryu Rice (production year 2025) in advance starting September 20, 2025, as it is sold through a pre-order system and is not available for walk-in purchases.

• Unique Experience: Visit the Uryu Marsh Nature Museum during the summer months (May–October) between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to view the photographs of the Uryu Marsh wetland taken by local photographer Hiroaki Okamoto, which showcase the area’s status as a Ramsar site and Hokkaido Heritage site.

• Best Use of Time: If visiting in winter (November–February), arrive between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM to access the ice cream counter (Aisu Kan) before the last shift closes at 4:00 PM, ensuring you can enjoy the seasonal blueberry soft serve and pumpkin ice cream before they are no longer available.

Spring (March–May): Rainy season brings lush greenery to the wetlands; early summer offers fresh vegetables and wildflowers at the roadside station.

Summer (June–August): Peak season for visiting the rainforest wetland from late June to early October; enjoy fresh summer produce and local ice cream.

Autumn (September–November): Harvest season for Rainryu rice and melons; autumn festivals celebrate new harvests with special events.

Winter (December–February): Quiet months with limited hours; visit for hot kamaboko and seasonal winter views.