Ueno Farm, Asahikawa

Ueno Farm began as a family-run rice farm in 1906 when a farmer from Miyagi Prefecture established the operation in Hokkaido's challenging northern climate. The transformation into a garden destination occurred in the 2000s when current manager Ueno Sayuki studied gardening in England and returned to create an English garden on part of the farm property. What started as a small oasis for local rice customers has evolved into one of Hokkaido's premier garden attractions.

This 6,600-square-meter English-style garden has been uniquely adapted to Hokkaido's climate and features more than 2,000 varieties of flowers that bloom in succession from spring through autumn. The centerpiece "Gnomes' Garden" showcases a natural-style design where wildflowers and ornamental grasses coexist with cultivated blooms. Distinct sections include the Purple Walk, White Birch Path, Circle Border, and Mirror Border, each planted in traditional English country garden style but featuring plants that thrive in northern Japan's conditions.

Visitors experience a carefully orchestrated seasonal display that changes dramatically throughout the growing season. The garden year begins in May with colorful bulb displays, including varieties unique to Japan, followed by oriental poppies and lupines. The design philosophy emphasizes perennial plantings that create different visual compositions as the seasons progress, earning it recognition as a "Dramatic Garden" for its ever-changing appearance.

Ueno Farm anchors the 200-kilometer Hokkaido Garden Path, a touring route that begins in Asahikawa and continues through Furano and Tokachi regions. The property includes NAYA Café, housed in a renovated barn built over 70 years ago, where visitors can rest after exploring the gardens.

From Sapporo Station, take the JR Kamui Limited Express to Asahikawa Station, then transfer to the JR Sekihoku Line to Sakuraoka Station, followed by a 15-minute walk to the farm. Alternatively, the rare #666 bus from Asahikawa Station reaches the farm in 55 minutes. By car, the farm is approximately 10 minutes from JR Nagayama Station or 20 minutes from the Hokkaido Expressway Asahikawa Kita interchange.

Admission costs ¥1,000 for adults and high school students, ¥500 for junior high school students, and is free for elementary school children and younger. The farm operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and remains closed from late October through late April. Return visitors receive half-price admission for one accompanying person on subsequent visits.