Churui Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Churui Roadside Station (道の駅 忠類) is one of the roadside stations of Hokkaido. It is located at 384-12 Churuishiroganemachi in the town of Makubetsu, Nakagawa District, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

道の駅 忠類
Churui Roadside Station

Churui Roadside Station Details

Located along National Route 236 in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Churui Roadside Station is one of the earliest registered roadside stations in Hokkaido, officially opening on April 22, 1993 (Registration No. 9). It has since become a must-visit stop for travelers exploring Southern Tokachi, offering a perfect mix of sightseeing, dining, recreation, and relaxation.

Churui Roadside Station - Makubetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture
Churui Roadside Station - Makubetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Convenient Location and Facilities

Churui Roadside Station is ideally situated for travelers, providing rest areas, light meals, and tourist information for Southern Tokachi, including road conditions for Tenma Kaido and Nissho Pass. Whether you’re on a road trip or exploring the region, it’s a convenient hub for planning your day.

Churui Roadside Station facade

Churui Roadside Station facade

Churui Roadside Station facade

Churui Roadside Station facade

Churui Roadside Station facade

Inside Churui Roadside Station

Inside Churui Roadside Station

Inside Churui Roadside Station

You can buy Naumann Elephant plushies here
You can buy Naumann Elephant plushies here

Inside Churui Roadside Station

Inside Churui Roadside Station

Inside Churui Roadside Station

Inside Churui Roadside Station
Hiromu Arakawa (荒川弘) visited Churui Roadside Station

Yurine Shiratama Zenzai Festival Special Sale!!
Yurine Shiratama Zenzai Festival Special Sale!!

Churui Roadside Station's male toilet area
Churui Roadside Station's male toilet area

Naumann Elephant Memorial Museum

Naumann Elephant Memorial Museum
Naumann Elephant Memorial Museum

One of the highlights of Churui Roadside Station is the Naumann Elephant Memorial Museum, which showcases a complete skeleton and a detailed reproduction of the elephant as it appeared at the time of excavation. This educational attraction is fascinating for both children and adults, offering a glimpse into Hokkaido’s prehistoric past.

Naumann Park: Fun for the Whole Family

Naumann Park
Naumann Park

Adjacent to the station, Naumann Park provides a space to relax and enjoy outdoor activities. Children can splash around in the fountain during hot days, explore wooden playground equipment, or play on the park golf course, which features courses for both beginners and advanced players. A barbecue house and scenic views of the Hidaka Mountains make it an ideal spot for family outings. The park also features a campground close to the city and nearby hot springs.

Naumann Onsen Arco 236: Relax and Rejuvenate

For travelers looking to unwind, Naumann Onsen Arco 236 offers 100% alkaline simple spring water, renowned for its skin-beautifying properties. The onsen’s facilities include a sauna, open-air bath, and jet bath, ensuring a relaxing experience after a day of sightseeing. The attached restaurant, Gori Churui, serves unique local dishes such as lily root tempura rice bowl, cheese pork rice bowl, and wasabi ice cream, allowing visitors to taste the flavors of Southern Tokachi. Staying at Arco 236 is a convenient way to explore the area at your own pace.

道の駅 忠類
道の駅 忠類

Churui Roadside Station area map and information
Churui Roadside Station area map and information

Churui local product vending machine
Churui local product vending machine

Parking and Accessibility

Churui Roadside Station accommodates travelers with ample parking: 12 spaces for large vehicles and 269 spaces for regular cars, making it easy to stop by even during busy travel periods.

Churui Roadside Station Stamps

Team Nicerio visits Churui Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Churui Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Churui Roadside Station

My family and I visited Churui Roadside Station for the first time on November 4, 2023, the second day of our three-day Culture Day Road Trip. This also marked my 733rd day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals, we made sure to include the roadside station in our itinerary. During our visit, my daughter and I explored the Naumann elephant-themed products at the station before heading to the park to enjoy its facilities. Naturally, I didn’t miss the chance to collect the roadside station stamp for my growing collection.

Churui Roadside Station Admission Fee

Parking, entry, and exploring Churui Roadside Station are all completely FREE. It’s a good idea to bring cash, just in case you want to purchase some of the locally made products available at the station.

Churui Roadside Station Operating Hours

Churui Roadside Station is open from:

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (April – November) and 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (December – March)

The roadside station is closed during the New Year’s Holiday (December 31 – January 3)

Why Visit Churui Roadside Station?

Churui Roadside Station is more than a rest stop. It’s a destination for families, travelers, and road-trippers seeking a mix of culture, outdoor fun, local cuisine, and relaxation. From learning about prehistoric elephants at the Naumann Museum to enjoying alkaline hot springs and seasonal park activities, it offers a complete Southern Tokachi experience in one accessible location.

Getting to Churui Roadside Station

 

From Obihiro Station, head to platform 11 of the Obihiro Station Bus Terminal and board bus #60 Hiroo Line operated by the Tokichi Bus Company. Board down at Naumanzo kinenkan mae bus stop. 

From there, walk for about 210 meters to the roadside station. 

Fare: 1350 yen

Travel time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

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