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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Kumamoto Prefecture · Kyushu

Roadside Station Suika no Sato Ueki (道の駅すいかの里植木)

道の駅すいかの里植木

Buy and taste Ueki watermelons, then head for the hot springs or Tabaruzaka from this gateway to northern Kumamoto City.

Updated 2026-10-02Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Kita Ward, Kumamoto City

Road

Prefectural Route 329 | Hara–Ueki Line

Hours

Indoor facilities: 9:00–18:30; parking and toilets: available 24 hours. Listed times are a guide.

Parking

See facility information

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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

Toilets and farm shop

With children, use the toilets first, then browse the fruit stalls at an easier pace.

Main attraction

Ueki-grown watermelons

Around April–June, compare varieties, growers and sizes.

Quick snack

Watermelon Pan

Get a taste of the station without taking time for a long meal.

Rain or extreme heat

Ueki Onsen / Tabaruzaka Museum

Trade a long spell outdoors for a hot spring or indoor exhibits.

Outdoor time

Ono Sensui Park

Add a short walk and seasonal waterside scenery.

Highlights

Roadside Station Suika no Sato Ueki (道の駅すいかの里植木), near the Ueki Interchange on Prefectural Route 329, makes the fruit of Ueki in Kumamoto City’s Kita Ward a reason to stop. Official and tourism information puts the main watermelon shipping season around April–June and lists melons, mandarins and other fruit, vegetables, light meals, a tourist information desk and a multipurpose space. Compare watermelon and melon varieties and growers in the market, or make a quick snack stop for Watermelon Pan or watermelon soft serve. Hiyori Naruse suggests starting with a toilet break for the children, buying fruit, then heading to a hot spring or indoor museum if it is hot outside. Add Ueki Onsen, Ono Sensui Park, the Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum or Kichijien tourist farm for a half-day trip that goes beyond shopping.

#Kita Ward, Kumamoto City
#Ueki Town
#watermelon
#melon
#Watermelon Pan
#farm shop
#Ueki Interchange
#Ueki Onsen
#Tabaruzaka
#Ono Sensui Park
#family rest stop

Practical information

Registration number: 熊本-29
Prefecture: Kumamoto Prefecture
Municipality: Kita Ward, Kumamoto City
Road: Prefectural Route 329 | Hara–Ueki Line
Closed days: Closed on the third Thursday of each month and January 1–3. If the third Thursday is a public holiday, closure is indicated for the next weekday.

Facilities

Farm produce market
Watermelon and Melon Plaza
Growers’ Plaza
Light-meal counter
Prepared dishes and boxed meals
Handmade bread
Tourist information desk
Information and multipurpose space
Outdoor dining and rest area
24-hour toilets
Parking
EV charging facilities

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)suikanosato-ueki.com (Japanese guide)suikanosato-ueki.com (Japanese guide)suikanosato-ueki.com (Japanese guide)www.instagram.com (Japanese guide)www.qsr.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)kumamoto-guide.jp (Japanese guide)kumamoto.guide (Japanese guide)higomaru-call.jp (Japanese guide)ueki-onsenkumiai.com (Japanese guide)www.city.kumamoto.jp (Japanese guide)www.kichijien.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Visit for Ueki watermelons around April–June

The Kumamoto City tourism guide and the Kyushu Regional Development Bureau identify approximately April–June as the main shipping season for Ueki watermelons. Comparing varieties and growers, then choosing with the journey home in mind, is part of this stop’s appeal.

A taste of Ueki in a short stop: watermelon bread and light meals

The official producer page features Watermelon Pan from the handmade bakery Beckham. Even without a long sit-down meal, bread, soft serve and prepared dishes make a manageable snack stop with children.

Near Ueki Interchange, a convenient gateway to northern Kumamoto City

Official directions lead from Ueki Interchange via National Route 3 to Prefectural Route 329. Stop for toilets, shopping or tourist information before heading into central Kumamoto or toward Yamaga and Tamana.

Hot springs and a museum offer options for hot or rainy days

Rather than keeping all outdoor activity at the station, choose Ueki Onsen, the Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum or Ono Sensui Park according to the weather. On a summer fruit-shopping day, deciding where to cool down in advance makes the family outing easier.

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.

Family drives in April–June

A short early-summer stop to buy watermelon

After parking, use the toilets first. In the farm shop, compare varieties and sizes and consider the journey home. On days with tastings or cut-fruit sales, children can get a sense of different flavors, making shopping part of the trip.

Parking → toilets → watermelon and melon stalls → bread or sweets → head home with cooling in mind.

The stalls get busy at peak season and on weekends, so avoid relying on a single early-afternoon arrival time.

En route to central Kumamoto, Yamaga or Tamana

Eat and shop around Ueki Interchange

Easy to reach from National Route 3 and Ueki Interchange, this is a place to unwind during a long drive. If you want a light meal, try Watermelon Pan, prepared dishes or soft serve, then pick up vegetables or fruit for dinner at the farm shop.

Interchange or National Route 3 → roadside station → central Kumamoto or northern Kumamoto Prefecture.

Although parking is spacious, the area around the entrance can get busy on event days and during fruit season.

After shopping, when you want a bath

Finish a hot day at Ueki Onsen

Watermelon season also brings stronger heat. After shopping at the station, head to Ueki Onsen for a bath or a meal at an inn; this makes a half-day outing easier on adults and children alike.

Roadside station → Ueki Onsen → home.

Day-use bathing days, hours and admission conditions vary by facility.

An educational stop for elementary-school-age children and older

Head to the Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum on a rainy day

When outdoor play is difficult, combine shopping with the Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum. Watch a short film or browse the exhibits to learn some history, then return to the station or continue home.

Roadside station → Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum → farm shop.

The exhibits may feel heavy for very young children; consider a shorter visit.

Families wanting a short outdoor walk

Enjoy the seasons at Ono Sensui Park and Kichijien

Ono Sensui Park offers a short walk by water and greenery; Kichijien offers fruit picking and a cafe. Together with the station’s watermelons and melons, they show more of Ueki’s fruit-growing area.

Roadside station → Ono Sensui Park → Kichijien / reverse the order if the season suits.

Fruit picking depends on season, reservations and weather. Watch your footing in the park after rain.

Hours

Opening hours

Indoor facilities

9:00〜18:30

Checked against official information and the Kumamoto City tourism guide. Follow official notices if times change.

Parking and toilets

Available 24 hours

Parking: 99 standard spaces, 7 large-vehicle spaces and 2 spaces designated for disabled users. Listed times are a guide.

Closed days

Third Thursday of each month / January 1–3

If the third Thursday is a public holiday, closure is indicated for the next weekday.

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 or under

★★★☆☆

Best for toilets, brief shopping and the outdoor rest area. Keeping the visit short and focused is easier.

Fruit season can make the shop busy; check how easily you can move with a baby carrier or stroller.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

The look of the watermelons and bread can be fun. There is little space for running around, so add a park after shopping.

Toilets first, then a snack, then shopping is a manageable order.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Different fruit varieties, Watermelon Pan and a walk in Ono Sensui Park can all be enjoyable.

Keep outdoor play short in hot weather, then head to Ueki Onsen or take a break in the car.

Elementary-school age

★★★★☆

Choosing fruit, learning the history of Tabaruzaka and visiting Kichijien for a fruit experience can fill half a day.

The museum covers weighty history; choose a theme instead of trying to see every exhibit.

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

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.

For watermelons and melons, check the season, arrivals and shipping conditions through official social media or at the shop.
Pack a cooler bag or newspaper in the car when buying fruit.
For a wider meal choice, use the Ueki Lunch & Sweets Map to find nearby options.
With toddlers, pair the station with Ono Sensui Park or a hot spring for a change of scene.

Gallery

A closer look

Illustrative, photo-style image evoking a farm shop with watermelons and melons

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Illustrative, photo-style image evoking a walk around Ueki Onsen and Ono Sensui Park

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

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.

Farm shop / fruit
Ueki-grown watermelons
Main shipping season around April–June / check at the shop
Farm shop / fruit
Melons and seasonal fruit
Varies by season and grower
Bread / snack
Watermelon Pan
Check availability at the shop
Sweets
Watermelon soft serve and seasonal sweets
Check availability at the shop
Light meals
Prepared dishes and boxed meals
Use with the dining space
Shopping
Local vegetables and processed foods
Varies with daily deliveries