Lake Utonai Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Lake Utonai Roadside Station (道の駅 ウトナイ湖) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido. It is located at the western banks of Lake Utonai at 156-30 Uenae, Tomakomai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. 

Lake Utonai Roadside Station (道の駅 ウトナイ湖)
Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Lake Utonai Roadside Station details

Lake Utonai Roadside Station, strategically situated along National Route 36, the central Hokkaido region's main thoroughfare, enjoys convenient proximity to both the "New Chitose Airport" and the "Tomakomai Ferry Terminal," establishing easy accessibility not only within Hokkaido but also from various parts of Japan and abroad. Officially registered as a roadside station on July 31, 2009, it proudly bears the registration number 108.

Lake Utonai Roadside Station - Tomakomai City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Lake Utonai Roadside Station - Tomakomai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Nestled within the embrace of Lake Utonai, a nationally designated wildlife sanctuary, and Ramsar Convention-listed wetland, the Lake Utonai Roadside Station is an idyllic destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in Hokkaido's bountiful natural beauty.

Lake Utonai Roadside Station facade
Lake Utonai Roadside Station facade

Photos inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station:

Welcome to Lake Utonai Roadside Station
Welcome to Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Tomachop - The official mascot of Tomakomai City
Tomachop - The official mascot of Tomakomai City

Tomachop - The official mascot of Tomakomai City

Inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station
A Curling "Stone" is displayed inside the roadside station. Curling is one of the popular sports in Tomakomai City.

Inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Inside Lake Utonai Roadside Station
You can buy Tomachop merchandise at Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Surf shellfish rice - ホッキ貝ごはん
Surf shellfish rice - ホッキ貝ごはん

The roadside station offers a myriad of facilities, inviting visitors to explore and indulge in the following attractions:

1. Free Break/Information Corner:

• The in-house rest corner, adorned with the warmth of wood, provides a spacious setting with a panoramic view of Lake Utonai.

• Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade, observing wild birds, or utilize the information terminal for details on Tomakomai's tourist offerings.

2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Marine Products Direct Sales Store:

• Delight in fresh, locally harvested vegetables at reasonable prices, sourced from both the immediate area and the Misawa region.

• Popular for their affordability, freshness, and extended shelf life, the store offers cut flowers and cherry tomatoes cultivated in the Tomato Industrial Area.

• Seafood enthusiasts can explore a selection from the Umi-no-Eki Plat Minato Market.

3. Rapo Rapola Restaurant:

• Managed directly by the Northern Horse Park, "Rapo Rapola Shokudo" boasts an authentic menu featuring Nihachi soba noodles made from buckwheat flour "Haruka no Sato" from Uehara Farm in Nakashibetsu Town.

• Indulge in delectable options such as Kakiage soba with surf clams and vegetables, perfectly suited for the winter season.

4. Antenna Shop Mir:

• Exclusive products unique to Lake Utonai, including Wild Bird Society of Japan original goods, surf clam-infused delicacies, and Haskap sweets and beverages, are available.

• Explore a diverse collection of Tomakomai city's official character, "Tomachop," merchandise, born right here at Lake Utonai.

5. Takeout Corner Plaisir:

• Treat yourself to culinary delights like "B1 Tonchan's Pork Bun," Tomakomai Lotus Cup Bun, and the homemade "Branded Pork B1 Tonchan's Shumai," crafted from carefully selected ingredients by the local pork brand B1 Tonchan.

6. Matsutaro Shoten:

• An all-season store where festival products abound, offering a unique experience to visitors.

• Indulge in haskap smoothies from Yamaguchi Farm in Atsuma Town, fostering a strong relationship with the local community.

Lake Utonai Roadside Station Observation Deck (道の駅ウトナイ湖 展望台)
Lake Utonai Roadside Station Observation Deck (道の駅ウトナイ湖 展望台)

The view from the observation deck

In addition to the enticing array of restaurants and souvenir shops, the Lake Utonai Roadside Station boasts an exceptional feature—an observation deck that offers panoramic views of the breathtaking Lake Utonai. What sets this observation deck apart is its thoughtful design, providing visitors with both an expansive open area and a sheltered indoor viewing space. This versatility ensures that even on rainy days, you can still enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of Lake Utonai from the comfort of the observation deck.


Lake Utonai Roadside Station stamps

Lake Utonai Roadside Station stamps
Lake Utonai Roadside Station stamp

Lake Utonai Roadside Station stamps

Lake Utonai Roadside Station stands as a gateway to Hokkaido's natural wonders and a haven for those seeking a diverse and immersive experience.

Team Nicerio visits Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Lake Utonai Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Lake Utonai Roadside Station

My family and I first visited Lake Utonai Roadside Station last October 8, 2022, during our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 341st day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. I included the Lake Utonai Roadside Station in our itinerary as my daughter and I collect roadside station stamps. It was the last roadside station that we visited for the day and I was lucky enough to be able to get the stamp before it closed for the day. During our visit, parts of the roadside station were under renovation.  

Lake Utonai Roadside Station Fees

It’s FREE to enter and explore Lake Utonai Roadside Station but it is highly recommended that you bring cash in case you want to buy souvenirs or try out the food from the shops inside the roadside station. 


Lake Utonai Roadside Station Operating Hours

Lake Utonai Roadside Station is open from 9 AM to 6 PM (March-October) and 9 AM to 5 PM (November-February).

It is closed every Year-end and New Year holidays (December 31st to January 2nd)


Why visit Lake Utonai Roadside Station?

Lake Utonai Roadside Station is not only a great place to stop by after a long drive, but it’s also a tourist destination in itself. You can enjoy the different food offered in the shops at the roadside station. Aside from that, you can also buy Tomakomai’s unique products to take back home to your friends and families. 

If you’re into nature you can revel in the opportunity to observe wild birds, enjoy the view of the lake from the observation deck, and immerse yourself in Lake Utonai's rich biodiversity.


Getting to Lake Utonai Roadside Station

 

Starting from New Chitose Airport, go to the New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal Platform 29 (新千歳空港国内線ターミナル２９番のりば) and ride the #30 Chitose Airport Line Tomakomai Station (via Uenae/city stops) bus of the Donan Bus Company.

Board down at Lake Utonai bus stop. Once there, walk for several meters going to Lake Utonai Roadside Station. 

Travel time: 23 minutes

Fare: 420 yen


Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: 156-30 Uenae, Tomakomai, Hokkaido 059-1365, Japan

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