Aomori Prefecture · Tohoku
道の駅 つるた
Take home Steuben grapes, said to be produced here in Japan's greatest quantity, as sweets, wine or gyoza dumplings. This farm-market road station on Route 339 is a stop before Tsuru no Mai Bridge.
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
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Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.
Chinese restaurant Banryu is open 11:00–15:00; last order is 14:30.
Browse the town's specialties together in the main building's local products area.
Opens at 8:00, with freshly picked vegetables and fruit, pickles and juice.
Aruan soybean and rice processing facility is open 10:00–17:00.
The bridge reopened to visitors in April 2026. Ask for directions at the adjoining tourist information office.
Your stop feels different depending on whether you browse the market first or eat gyoza at Banryu. In the morning, look for market fruit; at lunchtime, Steuben gyoza; on your way home, wine or juice. Following one grape from snack to table is a fun way to choose what to bring home from Tsuruta.
Make Steuben gyoza the centerpiece while Banryu is open.
Bikkuri bread or something from Aruan suits a short break.
Steuben wine, juice and sweets are also handy choices when shelf life matters.
Michi-no-Eki Tsuruta, also called Tsuru no Sato Aruja, is a road station in Tsuruta on the Route 339 bypass across the Tsugaru Plain, about a five-minute walk from Tsurudomari Station on the JR Gono Line. The town is said to lead Japan in production of Steuben grapes, which feature in its sweets, wine and juice. The farm produce market opens at 8:00 and stocks freshly picked vegetables and fruit, with apples, melons and watermelons in season. Other reasons to stop include Steuben gyoza (Japanese dumplings) at Chinese restaurant Banryu, jumbo “Bikkuri” bread, tofu sold in a bucket and snacks at Aruan, a soybean and rice processing facility. Nearby Tsuru no Mai Bridge reopened to visitors in April 2026. Editor Akari Yoshimi suggests choosing a taste of Tsuruta through its Steuben products before heading to the bridge.
Tsuruta is said to be Japan's leading producer of Steuben grapes. The National Roadside Station Association lists Steuben gyoza, pound cake and jelly among local products. The station's official site also highlights original Steuben sweets and wine. Its wine “Tancho no Sasayaki” won a gold award at the 2026 Sakura Awards.
The market opens at 8:00, one hour before the main building. The town's tourism site lists freshly picked vegetables and fruit, pickles and juice; Aomori's tourism site also names apples, melons and watermelons as specialties. Opened in 2018, the market marked its eighth anniversary in April 2026.
Inside the station, Chinese restaurant Banryu serves lunch from 11:00 to 15:00, with last orders at 14:30. Several public visitor guides describe its Steuben gyoza as popular, so check the time you will arrive if lunch here is your plan.
The National Roadside Station Association highlights the oversized “Bikkuri” bread and burgers, tofu sold in a bucket and cream puffs. Aruan, the soybean and rice processing facility, is open 10:00–17:00, giving you a Tsuruta-style snack option even on a brief stop without a restaurant meal.
The station is on the Route 339 bypass, about a five-minute walk from Tsurudomari Station on the JR Gono Line, 40 minutes from the Owani-Hirosaki interchange on the Tohoku Expressway and 60 minutes from Aomori Airport. The Tsuruta Town Tourist Information Office adjoins the farm market; ask there for directions to local sights such as Tsuru no Mai Bridge.
Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.
If arriving around midday, check Restaurant Banryu's hours first. Have a Tsuruta-style meal of Steuben gyoza, then browse wine and sweets in the main building and vegetables and fruit at the farm market.
Parking area → Restaurant Banryu → main building's local products shop → farm produce market.
Banryu is open 11:00–15:00, with last orders at 14:30. Check the restaurant's official notices for days when it is closed.
The market opens at 8:00, so you can buy freshly picked fruit before heading to Tsuru no Mai Bridge. The bridge reopened to visitors in April 2026. Check directions and travel time at the adjoining Tsuruta Town Tourist Information Office.
Farm produce market → tourist information office → Tsuru no Mai Bridge.
The tourist information office is open 9:00–16:00 and closed December 29–January 3.
The road station is about a five-minute walk from Tsurudomari Station, making a stop possible around a train journey. Steuben wine, juice and sweets are easier to carry; buy fresh produce just before boarding for easier handling.
Tsurudomari Station → Michi-no-Eki Tsuruta → Tsurudomari Station or onward journey.
The main building closes at 17:00. Check that time first if planning around an evening train.
Steuben products here include “Tancho no Sasayaki” wine, juice, pound cake and jelly. Fresh grapes and other fruit vary by season, so processed products make a useful starting point at any time of year, subject to stock.
Main building's local products shop → farm produce market → onward journey.
Fresh fruit arrivals vary by season and time of day. Check the market's notices first if you want something specific.
The official site announces “Sanchoku no Hi,” a morning market held in outdoor tents, and “Kitchen Car Fes,” which brings together food trucks. In 2026, events were held in May and September, combining farm-market shopping and food to eat on the go.
Tents in front of the farm market → event plaza → main building.
Dates and hours vary for each event. Check the official site's news for the day's details.
Opens one hour before the main building.
Closed January 1.
Snacks and processed foods.
Last order 14:30.
Closed December 29–January 3. Phone: 0173-26-5563.
Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.
A baby changing bed and accessible restroom make this a convenient short break before or after shopping.
A short visit to the market and main building may be easier than a long stay.
Shareable snacks such as Bikkuri bread and cream puffs offer a change of pace.
A snack and some time outdoors may be easier to manage than a long restaurant meal.
On days when Sanchoku no Hi or Kitchen Car Fes runs, outdoor food stalls add a purpose to the visit.
Plans depend on whether an event is on, so check official news before deciding.
Japan-leading Steuben grape production and Tsuru no Mai Bridge make talking points, and children can choose seasonal fruit at the market.
If also visiting the bridge, ask at the tourist information office for directions to help plan the trip.
Listed in the National Roadside Station Association's facilities guide.
Banryu closes at 15:00. Choose a snack if you miss its hours.
Listed among the on-site facilities; follow local signs for details.
Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.
Checking event dates.
A morning market in outdoor tents. The official site announces sales of imperfect produce and bargain items.
A food-truck event using the tents in front of the farm market and the event plaza. Held in May and September in 2026.
Follow station events here, including anniversary celebrations, a cut-flower fair, new breads and a visiting knife-sharpening service.
Adjoining the farm market, it provides information on local sights and transportation.
Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.
The National Roadside Station Association describes Steuben as the grape crop for which Tsuruta claims Japan's highest production, and lists gyoza, pound cake and jelly. The official station site also highlights Steuben sweets and wine.
According to the official station hours, the farm market opens 8:00–17:00 and the main building 9:00–17:00. Start at the market when early shopping is your aim.
Both the official station site and Aomori's tourism guide list 11:00–15:00, with last orders at 14:30. If coming for lunch, plan your arrival accordingly.
Aomori's tourism guide gives about five minutes on foot from Tsurudomari Station on the JR Gono Line, about 40 minutes from the Owani-Hirosaki interchange on the Tohoku Expressway and about 60 minutes from Aomori Airport. The station is also within reach by train.
In 2026, Kitchen Car Fes and Sanchoku no Hi ran together on May 23–24 and September 12–13; a 25th anniversary festival took place on June 13–14. Check the official site's news for the next dates.
The official station site announced that the renewed Tsuru no Mai Bridge reopened to visitors on April 17, 2026. If heading there, ask the station's tourist information office for current advice.
Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.
Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.
A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.
Make a Tsuruta-style lunch at Restaurant Banryu; prioritize this if arriving at midday.
11:00〜15:00、L.O.14:30。
Shop at the market, open from 8:00, for food to take home to your table.
Stock varies by season and time of day.
Even without a sit-down meal, make a short stop for a well-known local treat.
Take home Tsuruta in processed products that keep longer and can be chosen regardless of season, subject to stock.
Add Aruan's soybean and rice products to your Tsuruta food choices alongside the farm market.
If the map does not load, open it in Google Maps
Take home Steuben grapes, said to be produced here in Japan's greatest quantity, as sweets, wine or gyoza dumplings. This farm-market road station on Route 339 is a stop before Tsuru no Mai Bridge.
Send your travel companions a possible stop.
