10 Things to Do in Urausu

Urausu (浦臼町) is a small scenic town in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. The town got its name from the Ainu word uray-us-pet which is the name of the Urausuuchi River that runs through the town.


For those planning to visit the scenic town of Urausu to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Urausu:

Urausu manhole covers

1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Urausu. So far, I have seen one unique manhole cover which is common in the central part of town. The colored version of this is displayed inside the Urausu Town Hall.

Urausu Roadside Station / Roadside Rest Area "Tsurunuma"

2. Visit the Urausu Roadside Station / Roadside Rest Area "Tsurunuma" (道の駅 つるぬま) and buy locally made products and souvenirs. You should also try the soba or jingisukan at Cafe & Restaurant Tsurunuma.

Urausu Shrine

3. Visit the Urausu Shrine (浦臼神社). You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. You can also get a goshuin here so don't forget to bring your goshuin-cho when you visit. Aside from that, you might want to visit in late April to early May to see the Katakuri and Ezoengosaku in full bloom.

Koyasanshingonshu Kabatoyama Kongo Temple

4. Visit the Koyasanshingonshu Kabatoyama Kongo Temple (高野山真言宗 樺戸山 金剛寺). It is temple #11 on the Hokkaido 88 temple circuit. It is a place to visit if you are doing a pilgrimage or if you are visiting temples affiliated with Kobo Daishi. 


5. Buy and taste Urausu’s famed wine. Aside from that, other products worth trying are melon, wine grape jam, and mango.

Urausu Town Local History Museum 

6. Visit the Urausu Town Local History Museum (浦臼町 郷土史料館) and learn about the history of the town. Admission is free. 


7. Plan your visit to Urausu in August to embrace the cultural celebration of summer flavors and traditions. Immerse yourself in the culinary delights of the Urausu Summer Taste Festival, be dazzled by the vibrant fireworks illuminating the night sky, and indulge in the exquisite wines of the Tsurunuma Wine Festival.

Tsurunuma Park Camping Ground

8. Pitch a tent and stay overnight at Tsurunuma Park Camping Ground (鶴沼公園キャンプ場). It has very clean bathrooms and sinks. What’s even more amazing is that it is a free campsite.

Urausu Hot Spring Recreation Center

9. Indulge in a blissful retreat at the Urausu Hot Spring Recreation Center (浦臼町温泉保養センター) and treat yourself to a rejuvenating dip in their inviting onsen. It is attached to the Urausu Roadside Station. It offers affordable baths for day-trippers, this tranquil oasis is the perfect escape to unwind and replenish your body and soul. The onsen area provides a vantage point from which you can marvel at the surrounding natural beauty.

Tsurunuma Park

10. Visit Tsurunuma Park (鶴沼公園) and enjoy the beauty of the scenery. While exploring the park, make sure to seize the opportunity to experience the delightful swan ride and paddle boat activities, if available.

I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Urausu gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this small but scenic town in Sorachi Subprefecture in Hokkaido Prefecture.

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