Hokuryu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Hokuryu Roadside Station (道の駅 サンフラワー北竜) is one of 128 roadside stations located around Hokkaido. It is located at 163-2 Itaya in the town of Hokuryu in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Hokuryu Roadside Station

Hokuryu Roadside Station details

Officially called Sunflower Hokuryu (道の駅 サンフラワー北竜), the Hokuryu Roadside Station is an eye-catching sight for motorists passing along Route 275. Two towering dragons guarding the roadside station’s gate will welcome those who wish to visit Hokuryu Roadside Station.

Hokuryu Roadside Station - Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido Prefecture

The dragons aren’t the only ones that will catch your attention when you see the roadside station. The roadside station itself is something noteworthy. It is a Dutch-inspired architecture surrounded by open fields and scenic hills. This roadside station houses a hot spring recreation center, a souvenir and local product shop, and an accommodation training facility.





Hokuryu Roadside Station Information Board

If you visit in early August, you will likely be able to experience the Hokuryu Sunflower Festival at the nearby Hokuryu Sunflower Village. From Hokuryu Roadside Station, you would be able to see the nearby fields and hills turn yellow because of the millions of sunflowers in full bloom.

Hokuryu Roadside Station was registered last January 30 1995 and was given the registration number 17. At present, the roadside station has the following amenities:

Special Product Sales Corner

You can buy sunflower-themed goods here. From food to clothes, you’d surely be in sunflower paradise if you’re a big fan of these flowers.




Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring 

You can take a day-trip dip at the Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring. It's also located inside the roadside station building. 

Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring ticket machine

Sunflower Park Hokuryu Hot Spring entrance

Kazeguruma Restaurant

Have you ever tried soba with sunflower seeds or soft cream with sunflower stalk extract? You can try them here.

Hokuryu Roadside Station Outdoor Playground


Outside the Hokuryu Roadside Station is playground equipment with, you guessed that right, a sunflower theme. You kid would surely enjoy this place.

Hokuryumon

Hokuryu Roadside Station twin dragon arch / Hokuryumon

北竜門
北竜門


Hokuryumon

Sunflower Park


Aside from the playground, you would also see an arch with twin dragons on its side. There is also a pond with a bench and a gazebo near it which is a nice place to relax. This area is referred to as Sunflower Park.

Team Nicerio visits Hokuryu Roadside Station

My family and I visited Hokuryu Roadside Station for the first time last August 6, 2022, which was my 278th day here in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher under the JET Programme. It was the first roadside station that we visited after buying a car. We would have wanted to try the open-air onsen but we were going to the Hokuryu Sunflower Village and it was very early to do so. That's why we decided to try it next time. 

Hokuryu Roadside Station stamp

Hokuryu Roadside Station Stamp

Hokuryu Roadside Station Stamp

Hokuryu Roadside Station Fees

It’s FREE to park and use the toilet of the roadside station.

However, you need to pay 500 yen per adult and 250 yen per child to use the onsen.

Hokuryu Roadside Station Operating Hours

The special product sales corner is open from 8AM to 9PM.

The open-air bath is open from 9:30 to 10PM.

The restaurant is open from 11AM to 8PM.

Why visit the Hokuryu Roadside Station?

As mentioned, the Hokuryu Roadside Station has amenities that might suit the needs of motorists. It has a 24/7 toilet, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and even an open-air bath. It is also a must-visit if you are participating in the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally.

Getting to Hokuryu Roadside Station

 

Hokuryu Roadside Station is best visited by car. However, if you’re coming from Rumoi City, you can ride the Dohoku Bus bound for Asahikawa and board down at the Furusaka bus stop. However, from there, the roadside station is still 2.7 kilometers away which means that you have to walk for about 30-40 minutes to reach the roadside station.

Bus fare: 890 yen

Travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Ratings


Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating

Location: 163-2 Itaya, Hokuryu, Uryu District, Hokkaido 078-2511, Japan

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