5 Recommended Lunch Spots in Shiraoi Town: From Premium Beef to Ainu Cuisine
Shiraoi Town is blessed with a rich variety of foods, with the nature of the sea, mountains, rivers, and lakes close by. Since there have been Ainu settlements in the area since ancient times, traditional Ainu food has also been passed down as part of the home cooking. There are many lunch spots in Shiraoi-cho that you should definitely stop by. Here we will introduce some of the unique restaurants, ranging from luxurious gourmet restaurants where you can enjoy brand-name beef to locally loved hole-in-the-wall lunches and traditional Ainu cuisine.
Top photo courtesy of the Ainu People's Culture Foundation
1Farm Restaurant Uemura Beyond
Enjoy the best of branded Wagyu beef at a restaurant directly managed by the farm
Restaurant under the direct management of "Wagyu Kingdom Uemura Farm", which is engaged in the entire process from mating to fattening of "Shiraoi Beef", known as a branded Wagyu beef. You can enjoy steaks and hamburgers of Shiraoi beef "Uemura Wagyu" produced at Uemura Ranch. Uemura Wagyu, which is raised on a spacious ranch, has an excellent balance of lean meat with concentrated depth and flavor, and fat with a mild sweetness. The sirloin steak, which is closest to the buttocks of the loin and has a fine, tender texture, is a dish that allows you to directly taste the appeal of Uemura Wagyu.
A luxurious time to enjoy soothing scenery and delicious food
The dishes are served as an appetizer, soup, and main course, but the green forest spreading out beyond the large windows soothes the soul, allowing diners to relax and enjoy their meal without feeling self-conscious. The restaurant is decorated in the image of Harry Potter, a favorite movie of the owner, and a sense of fun can be seen in the relaxed atmosphere. Quizzes and picture books related to Harry Potter are available for borrowing, keeping diners entertained while they wait for their food. The restaurant is crowded during lunch time, so it is recommended to make a reservation before going.
Local Guide
Supporters
The space with its relaxed atmosphere and high quality hospitality is perfect for adult couples and married couples. Next door is Mother's+, a cafe with delicious cream puffs, so we recommend stopping by after dinner.
- Farm Restaurant "Uemura Beyond
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289-8 Aza-Shadai, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido MAP
4 minutes drive from JR Shiraoi Station
11:00-20:00 (L.O.19:30)
Year-end and New Year's holidays
0144-84-3386
Free of charge
2Cafe Riㇺce
Taste traditional Ainu food in a casual atmosphere.
This café is operated by a social welfare organization in Shiraoi Town and is located in the “Welcome Plaza” of “Upopoy (Symbolic Space for Ethnic Coexistence).”The menu features dishes made with ingredients deeply rooted in Ainu culture, such as “Ohau”—a soup made by simmering salmon and vegetables and seasoned with salt—and “Yukatsu Curry” made with Ezo deer meat.Don’t miss the unique sweets and drinks you won’t find anywhere else, such as “Peneimo”—dumplings made from frozen potatoes—“Piyapa Amazake,” a sweet rice drink made from millet and rice malt, and “Kamuitonoto,” a traditional sake revived by a Hokkaido brewery.
A warm space where the connection between the local people resides.
“Rimse” is an Ainu word meaning “dance.” The patchwork featuring Ainu-patterned embroidery displayed inside the café was created by the “Association for the ‘Giant Patchwork’ Connecting Everyone’s Hearts” in Shiraoi Town.It embodies the hope that the circle of people who acknowledge each other’s differences and live together will continue to expand. “Café Rimse” also sells local products. It’s a great spot to grab a bite before touring Upopoy, take a break after exploring the vast grounds, or browse for souvenirs.
Local Guide
Supporters
The interior of the store, with its abundant use of wood, has a warm atmosphere. There are also large tables and benches in front of the restaurant where you can enjoy take-out drinks and light meals.
- Cafe Liㇺce
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2-2-1 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido "Upopoi" Welcome Plaza MAP
10 minutes walk from JR Shiraoi Station
9:00 - "Upopoi" closing time
Mondays (closed the next day if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
0144-85-2177
Charged
3“Haru of the Sea and Sky”—A Specialty Shop for Ohau and Game Meat
Ainu Cuisine “Ohau” Created by Fuchi
A restaurant that reopened in April 2026 in the entrance area of “Upopoy (Symbolic Space for Ethnic Coexistence).”Run by Fuchi (meaning “grandmother” in the Ainu language) Fumiko Ito—who was born and raised in Shiraoi—the restaurant serves traditional Ainu dishes such as “Ohau” (a hearty soup packed with ingredients), as well as Hokkaido game meat dishes.
The particularly popular “Seasonal Ohau Set Meal” is a satisfying meal featuring Ohau—a soup made with large vegetables and salmon slowly simmered in kelp broth and gently seasoned with just salt and oil—served with millet rice, seasonal side dishes, roasted venison and bear meat, and Ent tea.
A Space Where You Can Experience Ainu Culture
The wood-toned interior is decorated with Ainu crafts such as straw mats and wood-carved bears, allowing you to enjoy not only the food but also the restaurant’s atmosphere.
One of the charms of the “Seasonal Ohau Set Meal” is that it is served on a “Nibutani Ita”—a traditional Hokkaido wooden tray carved by hand. Furthermore, the aprons worn by the staff members are embroidered with Ainu patterns, creating a warm and welcoming space where you can experience Ainu culture throughout the restaurant.
Local Guide
Supporters
In addition to lunch courses, the café also offers a wide variety of casual café menu items, such as sweets and original drinks flavored with the traditional food culture of the Ainu people.
- Haru of the Sea and Sky: A Specialty Restaurant for Ohau and Game Meat
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2-2-5 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi District, Hokkaido, “Upopoi” Entrance Building MAP
10 minutes walk from JR Shiraoi Station
11:00 a.m. – Park closing time (Last order: 1 hour before closing)
Upopoy’s Closed Days
0120-050-866 (Reservations accepted for groups of 10 or more)
4Community Restaurant Granma
At-home cuisine prepared by a grandmother
This is a homey eatery where energetic grandmothers show off their skills. They serve home-style dishes using locally grown wild vegetables and seasonal ingredients. The "Grandma Set" is a set meal that changes daily and is prepared by the veteran Staff/staff member " Tsuma-chan. The main dish, as well as each small bowl of food, is prepared with great care, and the flavorful taste is sure to satisfy both your stomach and mind.
Other menu items include the stylish "Chicken and Vegetable Yakuzen Masala Curry" and the "Special Hockey Dog" with a fried hockey fish in between. The restaurant also sells souvenirs, such as Granma's special oyaki, wild herb tea, and handmade sundries.
An open space where people of all ages and backgrounds gather.
The average age of the kitchen Staff/staff members is in their early 80s. Although they sometimes forget things or make mistakes, the charm of Granma is its cheerful atmosphere that allows them to laugh it off. Perhaps attracted by the relaxed atmosphere, men and women of all ages, from fifth-graders to those in their 80s, enjoy working and spending time together.
The second floor of the store is used as a shared office, and some travelers stay at a guesthouse in town for long periods of time while working remotely and nourishing themselves at Granma. The space is filled with warmth, where people of all ages and backgrounds can freely interact and laugh together, making you want to say "I'm home" without thinking.
Local Guide
Supporters
Look out for humorous POPs such as "Today's average age is 81" and "Blood pressure is good. Please note that the café may be closed in case of storms or icy roads, for the safety of the grandmothers. Please feel the warmth and local atmosphere of Shiraoi-cho.
- Community Restaurant Granma
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3-1-2 Omachi, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraori-gun, Hokkaido MAP
5 min. walk from JR Shiraoi Station
11:00-15:00 (11:00-15:00 and 17:00-21:00 on Mondays only)
Wed. and Sun.
0144-85-2870
Free (10 cars across from the store)
5Farm Restaurant Uemura Beyond
Casual dining of Shiraoi Beef
This restaurant is attached to a ranch where you can casually enjoy "Uemura Wagyu" produced at "Wagyu Kingdom Uemura Ranch," which is engaged in everything from mating to fattening of "Shiraoi Beef," a brand-name Wagyu beef. The restaurant mainly serves take-out hamburgers, but also offers hamburger sets and curry at the eat-in counter. The "Shiraoi Beef King's Raclette Cheeseburger" is the most popular burger, with a patty that focuses on simply enjoying the meat, topped with a thick layer of raclette cheese. The powerful meatiness of the coarsely ground patties, rich homemade demi-glace sauce, and creamy cheese come together to create a mouthwatering taste experience.
Cheerful cows teach us the meaning of life.
Wagyu Kingdom Uemura Farm is located in the Ishiyama district of Shiraoi Town, far from the city center in the mountains. The cows graze and roam freely in the pasture near the Restaurant. This environment, where you can feel the close proximity of cows being raised with care and attention, makes you realize how much we appreciate the precious life we are given. The free deck space next to the Restaurant has benches and hammocks, and you can enjoy the satisfaction of eating a hamburger while looking out at the magnificent natural surroundings.
Local Guide
Supporters
The spectacular location of the ranch, which was carved out of the mountain, is a sight to behold. Please follow the signs along the public road, as you may drive on rough roads if you use your car or smartphone navigation system.
- Farm Restaurant Uemura Base
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109-20 Ishiyama, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraori-gun, Hokkaido MAP
11 minutes drive from JR Shiraoi Station
11:00-17:00 (eat-in until 15:00)
Open daily, but closed irregularly (inquire for business days)
0144-83-4929
Free of charge
MAP
- Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby





