Kitami Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Kitami Roadside Station, formally called Roadside Station “Onneyu-Onsen” (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉) is one of the 128 roadside stations in Hokkaido. It is located along National Route 39 at 1-4 Matsuyama, Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Roadside Station “Onneyu-Onsen” (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉)
Kitami Roadside Station

Kitami Roadside Station details

Roadside Station “Onneyu-Onsen” (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉)
Kitami Roadside Station / Roadside Station “Onneyu-Onsen” - Kitami City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin" (ハト時計塔「果夢林」)
Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin" (ハト時計塔「果夢林」)

Kitami Roadside Station serves as a vital connection point between the Taisetsu tourist area and the Akan, Abashiri, and Shiretoko tourist areas. Located in the charming hot spring town of Onneyu Onsen, this station offers a range of facilities to enhance your visit.

Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower
Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower - The most popular structure in the roadside station vicinity

The highlight of Kitami Roadside Station is the magnificent Kamurin Tower, also called Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin" (ハト時計塔「果夢林」), which stands 20 meters tall. This symbolic tower combines karakuri dolls and one of the world's largest cuckoo clocks. As the time signal plays, enchanting forest fairies with various musical instruments come to life and dance, accompanied by the appearance of a large pigeon named Poppo-chan, boasting wings that span around 2 meters.

Clean Plaza Onneyu - The main building of the roadside station
Clean Plaza Onneyu - The main building of the roadside station

Kitami Roadside Station

Kitami Roadside Station's toilet area
Inside Kitami Roadside Station's toilet area

Among the various facilities available at the Kitami Roadside Station, you will find the Clean Plaza Onneyu. This rest area provides comfortable seating and tables while offering real-time road information for the Sekihoku Pass through a multi-screen information system provided by the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau.

Kamurin no Yakata

Kamurin no Yakata
Kamurin no Yakata

Kamurin no Yakata

Kamurin no Yakata

Kamurin Shop

Kamurin Shop

Kamurin Shop

"Foundation of Rubeshibe" ~Horse sled and log~
"Foundation of Rubeshibe" ~Horse sled and log~

"Foundation of Rubeshibe" ~Horse sled and log~

Soft cream of Kamurin no Yakata
Soft cream of Kamurin no Yakata

Another attraction within the roadside station is Kamurin no Yakata. Here, you will find the Kamurin Shop, where local specialties are displayed and sold alongside crafted wooden furniture, folk crafts, and other goods. Kamurin World, located in the same building, provides a space for both children and adults to enjoy wood-themed play equipment and woodworking experiences. You will also find the Kitami Roadside Station Stamp here. 

Karakuri Kingdom
Karakuri Kingdom

Kuma Sasa Soft Cream
Kuma Sasa Soft Cream

Cheap onions of Kitami
The onions here are super cheap. 

If you're looking for delicious treats and souvenirs, you can visit Karakuri Kingdom. This row of shops adjacent to the roadside station offers soft-serve ice cream, light snacks, and a display of local specialties for purchase.

Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin"

Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin"
Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin"

Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin"

Inside Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin"

Inside Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin"

Lastly, don't miss the Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower "Kamurin", the iconic symbol of the roadside station. This tower, known as one of the world's largest cuckoo clocks, operates on the hour from 8:00 to 18:00, playing registered songs such as "Toy Symphony," "Let's Go to the Forest," and an original spring song, all in chronological order.

Kitami Roadside Station Stamp

Update: Pokemon manhole cover “collectors” rejoice. Kitami Pokefuta - one of the 5 new Pokefutas of Hokkaido is installed near the entrance of Kitami Roadside Station. It features Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix sitting behind 3 curling stones.

Team Nicerio visits Kitami Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Kitami Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Kitami Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Kitami Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Kitami Roadside Station


My family and I visited Kitami Roadside Station for the first time last September 19, 2022, which was the last day of our September 17-19 Road Trip. It was my 322nd day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. We made sure to visit it as my daughter and I collected roadside station stamps for the Hokkaido Stamp Rally. We particularly enjoyed the interactive displays inside the Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower to the point that my wife and I became competitive with the climbing elf game. This roadside station is probably one of the best roadside stations that I have visited so far.

Kitami Roadside Station Fees

It’s FREE to enter and explore Kitami Roadside Station. Parking is also FREE. However, I highly suggest that you bring cash in case you want to buy souvenirs, or fresh produce, or try out the different food sold in the restaurants at the roadside station.

Kitami Roadside Station Operating Hours

Kitami Roadside Station is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM (April-October) and 9 AM to 4:30 PM (November-March). If you’re collecting roadside station stamps, make sure to arrive before the closing time as the stamp is placed in the area that is closed off during closing time.

Why visit Kitami Roadside Station?

Kitami Roadside Station is probably one of the best roadside stations to visit if you have kids or if you are a kid at heart. There are plenty of things to do and things to buy in Kitami Roadside Station. If you’re collecting roadside station stamps then this place is a must-visit.

Getting to Kitami Roadside Station

 

From Asahikawa Station walk towards the bus terminal. Board the Asahikawa-Kitami bus of the Dohoku Bus heading to Kitami Bus Terminal. Board down at Onneyu bus stop. It’s a few meters away from the roadside station building.

Travel time: 2 hours and 44 minutes
Fare: 3200 yen

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 1-4 松山 留辺蘂町 Kitami, Hokkaido 091-0153, Japan

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