Step into a real-life storybook at Ueno Farm Gnomes’ Garden (上野ファーム現在冬季閉園中), where winding paths, colorful blooms, and hidden corners invite kids to imagine what tiny creatures might live among the flowers. Nestled just outside Asahikawa in northern Hokkaido, Ueno Farm transforms with each season, from bright summer meadows to a quiet winter landscape dusted with snow. Families can enjoy a relaxed visit without rushing for tickets or worrying about strict opening hours, making Ueno Farm one of the most flexible and welcoming garden experiences in Japan.
As you plan your trip to Asahikawa, Furano or Biei, this guide is a great place to start! Begin with our Best Things to Do in Asahikawa, Furano & Biei with Kids guide for family-friendly fun along the canal, local museums, sweet shops, and seaside walks. You can also explore our Sapporo with Kids Hub to find more Hokkaido ideas, day trips, and family adventures across the region. For even more inspiration across Japan, browse our Ultimate Guide to Family Attractions in Japan with Kids for theme parks, cultural highlights, nature escapes, and hands-on experiences.
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Why Ueno Farm is Great for Families with Kids
- The whimsical design of Ueno Farm Gnomes Garden turns every path into an imaginative exploration, where kids can wander through colorful flower fields, spot playful garden sculptures, and dream up stories about hidden gnomes.
- Families will love the open, safe spaces that make it easy for children to explore freely, while parents enjoy peaceful views of Hokkaido’s countryside and blooming meadows.
- With its ever-changing seasonal beauty, from spring tulips and lupines to lavender, roses, and autumn hues, kids get to experience nature’s shifting colors in every visit.
- The garden encourages a peaceful pace, helping families slow down and enjoy quiet time together, a refreshing contrast to busier sightseeing spots.
- Thoughtful amenities like family rest stops, shaded benches, and the cozy garden café make it simple to pause for snacks, drinks, or photos after exploring.
Parent Insight: Gardens like Ueno Farm offer a sensory classroom for kids. Touching petals, spotting bees, or noticing how colors shift through the seasons gives them a hands-on connection to nature that screens can’t replace. Slow, unhurried places like this help children develop mindfulness and appreciation for small details, the kind of lessons that last long after the trip ends.
Best Things to Do at Ueno Farm with Kids
- Wander through the Gnomes’ Garden: Let kids follow winding trails where art, flowers, and greenery blend into a magical landscape. Every corner feels like a storybook page waiting to be discovered.
- Spot seasonal blooms: The gardens change with every visit, tulips and narcissus in spring, lavender and roses in summer, and fiery reds in autumn. Kids will love pointing out their favorite colors and flower shapes.
- Join the Gnome Scavenger Hunt: Kids can take part in Ueno Farm’s signature game by searching for hidden gnome statues tucked among the flowers and pathways. Each discovery feels like finding a secret friend, turning the garden walk into a playful adventure for the whole family.
- Play pretend among the garden sculptures: From rustic archways to hidden statues, each design sparks imagination. Challenge kids to find the “gnome king’s favorite chair” or invent stories about who tends the flowers at night.
- Relax at the café terrace: After exploring, families can unwind with homemade desserts, light snacks, or creamy soft-serve ice cream surrounded by garden views.
- Capture colorful memories: With its vibrant flower fields and cozy pathways, Ueno Farm is one of the most photogenic family spots in Asahikawa, perfect for playful or scenic family photos.
- Visit the gift shop: Take home floral-themed souvenirs, seeds, or garden-inspired crafts to remember your visit. Kids often love choosing small keepsakes that remind them of their favorite flower patch.
Practical Tips for Visiting Ueno Farm with Kids
- Cost: ¥ – High school and older ¥1,000, Junior high students ¥500; Elementary and younger Free.
- Best Age Range: All ages, though especially enjoyable for ages 3–12 who can join the gnome scavenger hunt or explore the themed paths.
- Stroller-Friendly?: Partially, as main paths are wide and accessible, but some flower trails and grassy areas can be uneven.
- Rest Areas: Benches and shaded sitting spots are dotted throughout the garden, and there’s a cozy indoor café area for breaks.
- Food: The on-site café serves light meals, homemade pastries, and ice cream made with local ingredients.
- Special Note: The garden is only open from April to October, closing during Hokkaido’s snowy winter season.
Best Time to Visit Ueno Farm with Kids
The best time to visit Ueno Farm with kids is from late spring through early autumn, when the gardens burst into full color and the weather is ideal for outdoor play. Spring brings tulips, narcissus, and lupines, perfect for introducing kids to the first blooms of the season.
Summer transforms the landscape into a patchwork of roses, lavender, and sunflowers, making it the most photogenic time for family photos. By autumn, the flowers fade into warm golds and reds, offering a peaceful farewell before the garden closes for winter.
Arriving in the morning allows families to enjoy cooler air, gentler sunlight, and fewer crowds, giving kids space to explore the Gnomes’ Garden paths at their own pace.
For year-round planning, explore our Japan Seasonal Guides for Families, including detailed resources for spring, summer, autumn, winter, and our full Best Time to Visit Japan with Kids guide.
How Long to Spend at Ueno Farm with Kids
Plan to spend about 1–2 hours at Ueno Farm with kids, enough time to explore the Gnomes’ Garden paths, join the scavenger hunt, and enjoy a relaxing break at the café. This timeframe lets families move at a relaxed pace, take photos, and enjoy the seasonal flowers without feeling rushed.
Families with toddlers and younger kids may prefer a shorter visit of 45–60 minutes, focusing on the main paths and shaded rest areas. School-age children often enjoy staying longer, especially if they join the gnome scavenger hunt or take time sketching or photographing flowers.
How to Get to Ueno Farm with Kids
- By Train: From Asahikawa Station, take the JR Sekihoku Line to Sakuraoka Station (about 20 minutes). From there, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk to the garden entrance.
- By Bus: Limited local buses run from central Asahikawa to Ueno Farm stop; check the latest schedule before departure, as frequency can vary by season.
- By Car: Ueno Farm is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Asahikawa and offers free on-site parking right by the entrance.
- Special Note: There are no taxis stationed regularly at Sakuraoka Station, so families arriving by train may want to pre-arrange a ride or plan for the short walk.
Luca & Nico’s Tip: Join the gnome scavenger hunt and see how many hidden gnomes your family can find! Keep an eye out for the special gold ones, spotting even one feels like uncovering a secret garden treasure.
If your trip includes bullet trains, don’t miss our Shinkansen With Kids guide for tips on seats, luggage, and navigating stations with little travelers. Parents comparing rail options can also see our Japan Rail Pass Guide to understand when the pass is worth it for families. And if you want stress-free station transfers, our Japan Luggage Delivery Guide explains how to send suitcases ahead so your family can travel light and move easily between cities.
Family-Friendly Hotels Near Ueno Farm in Asahikawa
- Luxury
- OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts – About a 20-minute drive from Ueno Farm. Stylish and modern with family-friendly rooms, on-site dining, and fun local experiences designed especially for travelers exploring Hokkaido.
- ART HOTEL Asahikawa – Roughly 15 minutes by car. Spacious rooms, a well-reviewed breakfast buffet, and easy access to city attractions make this a great pick for families who want comfort and convenience.
- Mid-Range
- JR INN Asahikawa – Located inside Asahikawa Station, about a 20-minute drive from Ueno Farm. Perfect for families traveling by train, with clean rooms, large public baths, and direct station access.
- Hotel WBF Grande Asahikawa – About 18 minutes by car. Known for its natural onsen, family rooms, and proximity to shopping and dining around the station area.
- Budget
- Dormy Inn Asahikawa – Around a 20-minute drive from Ueno Farm. Comfortable, reliable, and known for its onsen and complimentary nighttime ramen — a family favorite after a day outdoors.
- Hotel Route-Inn Grand Asahikawa Ekimae – About 20 minutes by car or train. Offers modern rooms, breakfast included, and convenient access to Asahikawa Station.
- Ryokan Sensyoen – Approximately 25 minutes from Ueno Farm. A traditional Japanese stay experience with tatami rooms and local hospitality, ideal for families who want to try a cultural overnight in Asahikawa.
Finding the right base can make exploring Hokkaido easier and more enjoyable with kids. Our Best Family Hotels in Japan guide highlights family-friendly stays across the country, from modern hotels with spacious rooms to cozy ryokan and hot spring retreats. If you’re still choosing which Hokkaido destinations to include in your trip, explore our family guides to Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Furano & Biei for ideas on what to see, do, and experience with kids.
Family-Friendly Attractions Near Ueno Farm
- Asahiyama Zoo – One of Japan’s most famous zoos, featuring glass tunnels that let kids watch penguins and seals swim overhead — a can’t-miss stop for animal lovers.
- Blue Pond (Aoiike) – This striking turquoise pond looks almost magical, especially on sunny days. It’s an easy walk from the parking area and a favorite photo spot for families.
- Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka – Rolling hills covered in rainbow-colored flowers from spring to autumn. Families can ride tractors, take photos, or sample lavender soft cream.
- Farm Tomita – One of Hokkaido’s most famous flower farms, known for its vivid lavender fields and family-friendly paths. Kids love the fragrance area and soft-serve ice cream shop.
- Shirahige Waterfall – Located near Shirogane Onsen, this beautiful white waterfall flows into the same blue stream that feeds the Blue Pond. Kids love watching the mist rise between the trees.
- Asahikawa Science Museum – A highly interactive space where kids can experiment, build, and explore exhibits on air, light, and motion. Great for a rainy day near Asahikawa.
- Ningle Terrace – A fairy-tale wooden village tucked into the forest near the New Furano Prince Hotel. Kids can wander the small craft huts and spot twinkling lights at dusk.
- Furano Cheese Factory – A fun, hands-on stop where families can watch cheese-making and taste local dairy products. There’s even an ice cream and pizza-making experience for kids.
- Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum – An educational visit where families can learn about Hokkaido’s Indigenous Ainu culture through artifacts, tools, and guided stories.
- Tokiwa Park – A beautiful lakeside park right next to the museum, perfect for picnics, stroller walks, and feeding ducks after exploring the exhibits.
- Asahikawa City Museum – Learn about local Ainu culture, history, and crafts through hands-on displays, an enriching stop for kids curious about Hokkaido’s heritage.
If you’re mapping out your wider Japan route, start with our Japan 14-Day Family Itinerary for a balanced mix of major cities, culture, and kid-friendly highlights. Families comparing trip lengths often find it helpful to look at multiple options, including classic 7-day and 10-day Japan itineraries that show how to pace Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with kids.
For even more support planning your trip, our Japan Family-Friendly Travel Hub brings together every city guide, attraction, and resource in one place, while our Planning a Family Trip to Japan and Japan Budget Family Travel Tips guides help parents navigate budgets, routes, and practical details.
FAQs: Visiting Ueno Farm with Kids
Here are quick answers to common questions families ask when visiting Ueno Farm Gnomes Garden in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, from ticket details and seasonal hours to stroller access and family tips.
A: Entry to Ueno Farm is affordable for families. High school students and older pay ¥1,000, junior high school students ¥500, and children (elementary age and younger) can enter for free. The pricing makes it easy for families to explore the Gnomes’ Garden and enjoy its seasonal flowers without worrying about extra costs.
A: Ueno Farm is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during its active season, which runs from April to October. The garden is closed in winter when snow covers the fields, reopening each spring for a new cycle of blooms and events.
A: From Asahikawa Station, take the JR Sekihoku Line to Sakuraoka Station (about 20 minutes), then walk 15 minutes to Ueno Farm. From Sapporo, it’s roughly a 2-hour train ride to Asahikawa, followed by the same local route. Driving is the easiest option for families with kids, with free on-site parking available.
A: Ueno Farm is partially stroller-friendly. The main garden paths are wide and smooth, but some areas have gravel or grassy sections that may be bumpy for strollers. Parents with infants often find a baby carrier more convenient while exploring the Gnomes’ Garden’s winding trails.
A: The best time to visit Ueno Farm is between May and September, when the gardens are in full bloom. Spring brings tulips and lupines, summer showcases lavender and roses, and autumn offers warm golden hues. Mornings are ideal for families, with cooler air and fewer crowds.
A: Yes, Ueno Farm offers several family-friendly facilities, including rest areas, restrooms, and a cozy on-site garden café serving light meals, desserts, and local ice cream. The café’s terrace overlooks the flowers, making it a relaxing stop for parents while kids enjoy the open space nearby.
A: The gnome scavenger hunt at Ueno Farm is a fun activity where kids search for hidden gnome statues tucked among the flowers and paths. Families can count how many they find and look for the special gold gnomes for an extra challenge. It turns every garden walk into a playful adventure.
A: Ueno Farm is closed during winter when snow covers the gardens. The official season runs from April to October, with flowers changing throughout spring, summer, and autumn. During the snowy months, families can still enjoy other Asahikawa winter attractions, like the zoo or nearby snow festivals.
A: Most families spend about 1–2 hours at Ueno Farm exploring the Gnomes’ Garden, joining the scavenger hunt, and relaxing at the café. This gives kids plenty of time to enjoy the flowers and open spaces without feeling rushed, while parents can savor the peaceful countryside setting.
Until Next Time…
A visit to Ueno Farm isn’t just about flowers, it’s about the stories your family discovers along the way. Between spotting gnomes, chasing butterflies, and wandering through colorful paths, kids see nature come alive in ways that feel straight out of a fairy tale. Whether you visit in spring bloom or autumn glow, this garden in Hokkaido’s countryside offers a quiet kind of wonder that lingers long after you leave.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
