What to Do at Ueno Farm
Where Imagination Becomes Reality
The trees, flowers, terrain, structures, animals, and food at Ueno Farm combine to engage the senses and present a “slow life” environment rendered in the style of an English country garden.
Visually Engaging
There are various gardens to explore here, with names like Purple Walk, Long Border, White Birch Path, Circle Border, and Mirror Border. Long Border challenges visitors to sense the slight shift in elevation and corresponding changes the vegetation. The “Voice of the Tree Garden” has a lone black poplar tree that reportedly whispers softly when the wind rustles its leaves. The Mirror Border garden faithfully duplicates the flowers and other vegetation on both sides of the path.
Shateki Mountain
Most visitors to Ueno Farm take a walk up Shateki Mountain, which was once a shooting range for soldiers in training. It is actually a hill with a gentle slope, so the ascent is easy. The hilltop has rainbow-colored chairs and offers a panoramic view of the entire Asahikawa area. Rice farms are visible in every direction.
Gnomes in Residence
From Shateki Mountain, the white birch and conifers of the Gnome’s Footpath will guide you down to The Gnome’s Garden, which appears to be straight out of a fairy tale. A gnome-sized hut is set next to a pond, and wildflowers bloom everywhere. According to Ueno family folklore, gnomes come out at night to tend the garden.
Café Dining
The Naya Café is housed in an old barn that was renovated in 2020. The structure has a high ceiling, huge barn doors, and a wood and stucco interior. The café is known for dishes like a “farmer’s curry” full of seasonal vegetables, and ice cream made from milk supplied by a local dairy farmer.
When the weather is good, visitors often take their lunches outside to eat in the garden. There are many tables and chairs, benches, and even outdoor furniture set out for that purpose.
The Shop and More
What was once an old cattle barn is now the garden entrance and shop. Nearby is a nursery where visitors can purchase plants, seeds, and other garden supplies. There is also a small storage shed where the Ueno family keeps their chickens. The birds often escape captivity, so it is not unusual to find one or more of them roaming around the garden. There are ducks and geese waddling around as well.
Please follow this link [link to What to Do page] to read the story behind Ueno Farm.