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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Nagano Prefecture · Chubu

Roadside Station Minami Shinshu Urugi

道の駅 南信州 うるぎ

A food stop in a small village at 850 m, with corn, Urugi rice, bread, and shopping after a hot-spring visit.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Urugi Village, Shimoina District
Road
Prefectural Route 46 | Anan–Neba Line
Hours
9:00–16:00
In August only, 8:00–17:00. Yorimichi Shokudo: weekdays 11:00–15:00; weekends and public holidays 10:00–15:00; last order 14:30 on both. La Michette bakery: Friday–Monday and public holidays, 9:00–16:00; closes when sold out.
Parking
Cars: 24 / Large vehicles: 3
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How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

First stop
See what's in season at the farm shop

Summer corn, tomatoes and myoga ginger, and autumn Urugi rice and mushrooms depend on the day's deliveries and time of day. Come early if you have a particular item in mind.

For lunch
Check Yorimichi Shokudo's opening day and last order

Weekday and weekend/holiday opening times differ. The restaurant closes Thursdays and the third Wednesday of each month, so plan around those hours if lunch is your main reason to stop.

For bread
Aim for Friday–Monday or a public holiday

La Michette closes when sold out. A stop on your way out may give you more choice than one after the hot spring.

For a quick detour
The farm shop and tourist information center make a worthwhile stop

Information on Komadori no Yu, campsites and the Chausuyama area can help you choose your next destination.

For a half-day outing
Go from the roadside station to Komadori no Yu

After shopping and lunch, add the hot spring a few minutes away by car for a mountain-village drive through southern Shinshu.

To extend the trip into nature
Head to Chausuyama Nature Park or Iwakura Dam

On a clear day, walk in the forest or visit the lakeshore. Higher places are cooler; a raincoat and extra layer are useful.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Highlights

Roadside Station Minami Shinshu Urugi is a small station in the center of Urugi Village. At the farm shop, look for highland vegetables and Urugi rice; at Yorimichi Shokudo, choose curry, soba noodles or river fish. If La Michette still has bread, pick some up for the car. Stop before or after visiting Komadori no Yu hot spring, Chausuyama Nature Park or Hoshi no Mori to get a taste of the village and its seasons.

  • #Nagano Prefecture
  • #Urugi Village
  • #Highland vegetables
  • #Urugi rice
  • #Corn
  • #Bakery
  • #Yorimichi Shokudo
  • #Komadori no Yu hot spring
  • #Mount Chausu
  • #Prefectural Route 46
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A small shop makes Urugi Village's seasonal produce easy to discover

The farm shop features wild mountain vegetables in spring, corn and tomatoes in summer, and Urugi rice and mushrooms in autumn. The pleasure lies in seeing what has arrived that day rather than expecting a vast selection. Come early if you want a particular vegetable; if it has sold out, try the bakery or restaurant instead.

02

The restaurant and bakery offer choices for a lunch stop

Yorimichi Shokudo serves curry, soba noodles and river fish. La Michette sometimes has croissants, baguettes and savory filled breads. You can sit down for lunch, buy bread to eat in the car, or have a light bite before the hot spring.

03

Stock up before or after the hot spring, forest or campsite

Komadori no Yu is close to the station, and the station also fits a drive to Chausuyama Nature Park, Hoshi no Mori or Iwakura Dam. Pick up food and visitor information on your way into Urugi Village, then check the farm shop again on your return.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

Weekend drives toward Prefectural Route 46 and National Route 418

A short stop to take home Urugi's seasonal produce

Check the day's arrivals at the farm shop and choose bread, vegetables or rice to take with you. Summer corn delivery dates and quantities vary each year; check official social media or notices before traveling specifically for it.

Shop at the roadside station and, if needed, ask the tourist information center about nearby attractions.

Farm produce and bread can run low as the day goes on. Keep afternoon shopping plans flexible.

A day for a meal followed by Komadori no Yu

Make lunch and a hot spring a half-day mountain-village drive

Choose curry, soba noodles or river fish at Yorimichi Shokudo, browse the rice and vegetables, then head to Komadori no Yu. The nearby hot spring's outdoor bath looks over Urugi Village's rural hills, making even a short detour feel like a fuller outing.

Roadside Station Minami Shinshu Urugi → Urugi Onsen Komadori no Yu.

The restaurant closes Thursdays and the third Wednesday of each month. The hot spring is generally closed Thursdays too, so arrange a different meal and rest stop if visiting then.

Drivers bound for forest walks, camping or the Chausuyama Highlands

Sort out food and road information before heading toward Chausuyama

Before climbing toward forests and campsites around 1,200 m, pick up drinks and snacks and check visitor and road information at the station. Summer brings cooler air and autumn brings foliage, but mountain weather changes quickly; keep your destination options open.

Roadside station → Chausuyama Nature Park's Atebidaira Kotori no Mori / Hoshi no Mori Auto Campground.

Weather, fog and road surfaces change how mountain and pass roads feel. Check road and weather information in winter or severe weather.

A short cherry-blossom drive in mid to late April

In spring, pair the cherry blossoms with village shopping

The weeping cherries around Hozoji Temple and Kannon-do offer a spring detour in Urugi Village. Have lunch and shop at the roadside station before seeing the village blossoms for a short outing with more than flowers alone.

Roadside station → cherry blossoms around Hozoji Temple and Kannon-do.

Bloom times vary by year. If the cherries are your main goal, check recent updates from the tourist information center or social media.

Visitors bound for Hoshi no Mori, Iwakura Dam or CAMP-ya Urugi

Top up supplies before or after camping, or stop in the morning

Before camping, look for rice, vegetables and bread, and see whether firewood or charcoal is available. On the way back, add the hot spring and farm shop. If the campsite is your main destination, use the station to replenish supplies and check information rather than plan a long stay.

Roadside station → the campsites / Komadori no Yu on the return trip.

Reservation rules, facilities and seasons differ by campsite. Bring essential food rather than relying entirely on local purchases.

Hours

Opening hours

Roadside station and farm shop
9:00-16:00

In August only, 8:00–17:00. Open daily April–December; closed Thursdays January–March. New Year closure also applies.

Urugi Village Tourist Information Center
9:00-16:00

Provides visitor information and handles bicycle rental. Rentals run April–December, 9:00–16:00, at ¥300 per rental. No reservation is needed, but the number of bicycles is limited.

Yorimichi Shokudo
Weekdays 11:00–15:00 / weekends and public holidays 10:00–15:00

Last order 14:30. Closed Thursdays and the third Wednesday of each month.

La Michette bakery
Friday–Monday and public holidays, 9:00–16:00

Closes when sold out. Closed Tuesday–Thursday.

Komadori no Yu hot spring
10:00-20:00

Last admission 19:30. Usually closed Thursdays; check official notices for public-holiday opening and New Year or maintenance closures.

Family

Visiting with children

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Age 1 and under
★★☆☆☆

You can stop for a meal, shopping and the restroom, but there are few places for extended play at the station. Best for a short break.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

The farm shop and bakery make a pleasant change of pace, though this is not a place for running around. Pair it with Komadori no Yu or a campsite.

Ages 4–6
★★★☆☆

Combine the restaurant, bakery or bicycle rental desk with nearby forests or the lakeshore. Plan around the surrounding area as well as the station.

Elementary school children
★★★★☆

Rice-growing experiences, corn, forest walks, hot springs and camping can fill a day across Urugi Village.

Play areas at the station

Come for shopping, food and visitor information rather than large playground equipment.

Rainy days

The farm shop, restaurant and bakery offer shelter. For a longer stay, consider an indoor destination such as Komadori no Yu.

Outdoor play

Pair the visit with Chausuyama Nature Park, Hoshi no Mori or Iwakura Dam for more active time outdoors.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Plan for a small parking lot

    This small station has spaces for 24 regular vehicles and 3 large vehicles. When busy, a short shopping and meal stop may be easier than a long stay.

  2. 2
    Check restaurant and bakery closures first

    The restaurant and bakery have different closed days even when the main station is open. Check their schedules before setting out, especially if you are coming for a meal.

  3. 3
    Make the hot spring your main rest stop

    For a longer seated break, head to Komadori no Yu rather than extending your stay at the roadside station.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

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.

Spaces used for events

Urugi Village Tourist Information Center

Opened in April 2025. It handles bicycle rental and visitor information, making it a place to ask about village events, cherry blossoms, the hot spring and campsites.

Urugi Rice Growing Team

A yearlong program covering rice planting, weeding, harvesting and threshing. Even after applications close, its information offers a glimpse of the village's rice-growing culture.

Seasonal arrivals at the farm shop

Summer corn and tomatoes, and autumn Urugi rice and mushrooms, can be a reason to visit in their own right, even without a special event.

Nearby nature events

Events such as birdwatching in Atebidaira Kotori no Mori can be easier to plan after checking information at the roadside station.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The nearby hot spring makes a long station stop unnecessary

Komadori no Yu is a short drive from the station, with views over the Urugi basin from its outdoor bath. Use the station for shopping and food, then the hot spring for a longer rest.

Source: Minami Shinshu Navi and Shinshu Monomi Yusan Tegata

Prepare lightly at the station before a forest or lakeside trip

Atebidaira Kotori no Mori is a nature-observation area at 1,200 m; Iwakura Dam has a lakeside campsite. Check drinks, snacks, weather and road information at the station before heading into the mountains.

Source: Minami Shinshu Navi and Go NAGANO

Spring cherries offer a reason to explore the village

The cherries near Hozoji Temple and Kannon-do are a seasonal detour near the station. Pair them with spring wild vegetables and the farm shop to experience more of Urugi Village than the blossoms alone.

Source: Minami Shinshu Navi and sai Minami Shinshu Net
Movie

Preview the place on video

Official videos show the market and nearby park before you visit. Audio and captions are in Japanese.

Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

  • On Sunday, November 1, 2026, 9:00–15:00, the Autumn Appreciation Festival and New Rice Fair will turn the station parking lot into a pedestrian area. Use temporary parking at the Urugi Village Office, Urugi Elementary and Junior High School, or other designated areas. Entry to the station lot is restricted from 15:00 on October 31.
  • The main station is open 9:00–16:00, except in August when it opens 8:00–17:00. It closes Thursdays from January through March and over New Year.
  • Yorimichi Shokudo: weekdays 11:00–15:00; weekends and public holidays 10:00–15:00; last order 14:30. Closed Thursdays and the third Wednesday of each month.
  • La Michette bakery: Friday–Monday and public holidays, 9:00–16:00; closes when sold out. Closed Tuesday–Thursday.
  • The small parking lot has spaces for 24 regular vehicles and 3 large vehicles. A short stop is easier during busy periods or just after corn deliveries begin.
  • Komadori no Yu is generally open 10:00–20:00, with last admission at 19:30. Check official notices or social media for Thursday and maintenance closures.
  • For trips toward Chausuyama or higher forests, check weather, fog, road surfaces and morning/evening temperatures; bring an extra layer and rain gear.
Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

  • Summer highland vegetable
    Corn
    Depends on deliveries and availability
  • Rice from Urugi Village
    Urugi rice
    Depends on package size
  • Seasonal farm-shop produce
    Tomatoes, myoga ginger and mushrooms
    Depends on season and deliveries
  • Yorimichi Shokudo
    Yorimichi curry
    See restaurant menu
  • Yorimichi Shokudo
    Urugi Chinese-style noodle soup, soba noodles and river fish
    See restaurant menu
  • La Michette bakery
    Croissants, baguettes and savory filled breads
    See bakery menu
Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Seasonal shopping

Corn / tomatoes / myoga ginger / wild mountain vegetables / mushrooms

The easiest way to take a taste of Urugi Village home. Highland vegetables are a summer draw; mushrooms and rice are autumn favorites.

An official notice dated July 25, 2026 says Urugi-grown corn peaks from late July through the Obon holiday period in mid-August. Freshly picked corn arrives early; selection is greatest at opening time and may sell out during the morning.

Buy rice

Urugi rice / information about rice-growing experiences

Rice is a good way to take home a taste of Urugi Village, where temperatures vary between day and night. Village rice-growing events also show how much the crop matters locally.

Stock, varieties and package sizes change with the season. Check the farm shop's latest information if you want a specific kind.

Sit down for a meal

Yorimichi curry / Urugi Chinese-style noodle soup / soba noodles / river fish

The main option for lunch before a hot spring or forest walk. Allow time to enjoy a meal at this small village restaurant.

Last order 14:30; closed Thursdays and the third Wednesday of each month. Later visits may find dishes sold out or the kitchen closed early.

Buy something for the car

La Michette croissants / baguettes / savory filled breads

Bread can make the journey more enjoyable even if you skip the restaurant. It also makes a convenient light bite before a hot spring or camping trip.

Open Friday–Monday and public holidays, and closes when sold out. Do not count on a full selection late in the afternoon.

Browse sweets and prepared products

Goat-milk products / prepared foods / Urunosuke character goods

When fresh food is hard to take home, prepared products and souvenirs offer another reminder of Urugi Village. It is worth browsing the small shop.

The online shop's range also changes by season and may differ from what is sold on site.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Roadside Station Minami Shinshu Urugi

A food stop in a small village at 850 m, with corn, Urugi rice, bread, and shopping after a hot-spring visit.

Open in Google Maps
2
Day-use hot spring
Urugi Onsen Komadori no Yu

After eating and shopping at the roadside station, unwind at a nearby hot spring with views of Urugi Village's rural hills.

Open in Google Maps
3
Forest walking and nature observation
Chausuyama Nature Park: Atebidaira Kotori no Mori

A detour for forest walks and birdwatching at 1,200 m; pick up supplies at the station first.

Open in Google Maps
4
Lakeside camping
Iwakura Dam Campground

Check food and weather at the station before heading to quiet lakeside camping suited to intermediate and experienced campers.

Open in Google Maps
5
Temple and cherry blossoms
Hozoji Temple and Urugi Village's cherry blossoms

After browsing spring wild vegetables at the station, make a short detour to the village's weeping cherry trees.

Open in Google Maps
Food outlets and the market on the station grounds share the station pin. Nearby places are separate destinations to combine with your visit.
Nearby

Places to visit nearby

Urugi Onsen Komadori no Yu
Day-use hot spring
Urugi Onsen Komadori no YuJapanese guide
About 3 minutes by carAbout 1 km

For a day when you want to eat and shop at the station, then relax at the hot spring

Chausuyama Nature Park: Atebidaira Kotori no Mori
Forest walking and nature observation
Chausuyama Nature Park: Atebidaira Kotori no MoriJapanese guide
About 25 minutes by carAbout 14 km

For adding a highland forest walk to food and shopping at the station on a clear day

Minami Shinshu Urugi Hoshi no Mori Auto Campground
Campground
Minami Shinshu Urugi Hoshi no Mori Auto CampgroundJapanese guide
About 20 minutes by carAbout 12 km

For topping up supplies before camping, or stopping at the hot spring and farm shop on the way home

Iwakura Dam Campground
Lakeside camping
Iwakura Dam CampgroundJapanese guide
About 12 minutes by carAbout 6 km

For stocking up at the station before quiet lakeside camping or autumn foliage

Temple and cherry blossoms
Hozoji Temple and Urugi Village's cherry blossomsJapanese guide
About 3 minutes by carAbout 1 km

For pairing mid to late April cherry blossoms with wild vegetables and lunch at the station

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