Introducing UBUYAMA PLACE

Hello, this is Aikero, writer for Sarukuma!

Today I’m taking you to Ubuyama Village in Aso District,
UBUYAMA PLACE.Some of you may already know Ubuyama.
The site of the former Ubuyama Farm reopened this past July as the brand-new UBUYAMA PLACE!
Here you’ll find authentic pizza baked in one of Japan’s largest wood-fired ovens, Italian dishes made with local Aso ingredients,
and freshly made gelato — all available from breakfast straight through to dinner!

UBUYAMA PLACE was created with the vision of “revitalizing the region and bringing new life to rural Japan through food.”
It’s becoming a hub where visitors gather, smiles abound, and the charm of Ubuyama Village is rediscovered!

Future plans include food-education programs for children, outdoor activities, and seasonal festivals!
How exciting to think you can experience all of this in one place!
Definitely keep an eye on what comes next (●＾o＾●)The parking lot is nice and spacious.
The day we visited was cloudy, and a single short-sleeve shirt felt a little chilly.
If you’re heading there in the cooler months, bringing a light jacket will help you stay comfortable outdoors.
There’s a tourist information map on site!
It was my first time in Ubuyama Village, so having a map like this was really helpful.
As you walk up the slope from the parking lot, something catches your eye…

A bell that rings out a clear “clang, clang!”
Go ahead and give the rope a hearty pull!
Outdoor playground equipment for kids.It was wet with morning dew on this visit, but on a sunny day it would be a wonderfully open space for kids to play!And the fun isn’t limited to the playground!
Free-to-borrow hammocks turn any spot you choose into your own private relaxation zone!
You can borrow them from the cafe inside at no charge (^^)/
A 500-yen deposit is required at borrowing time, but it’s fully refunded when you return the hammock — no worries!

Hammock stands are scattered throughout the property, so it’s a fun little adventure to find your favorite spot (●＾o＾●)
As we walked along, we spotted a goat!
My fearless son walked right up to it — I was on edge the whole time, haha.
Turns out this little guy had escaped, and we later watched a staff member gently guide him back to his pen (^^)Right next to UBUYAMA PLACE is the cheese workshop.
We peeked in from outside, but it was closed during our visit.
Step inside and there’s a lovely souvenir corner!
Basashi (horse-meat sashimi), local cheese, melon bread… everything looks irresistible!
The refrigerated section also stocks cherry tomatoes and fresh local milk.This is the cafe counter for takeout orders.
It’s also where you borrow and return the hammocks mentioned earlier.
Inside there’s also a cozy lounge area to relax in.
It wasn’t raining during our visit, but if it does rain you can still settle in here and enjoy the views outside.
Many guests were also using it as a comfortable spot to wait for their restaurant table.Here’s the dining room.
At its heart sits one of Japan’s largest wood-fired ovens!
Huge picture windows showcase sweeping countryside views.
There’s plenty of seating, but the layout is generous — strollers and wheelchairs glide through with ease!

We headed inside around lunchtime and suddenly the place was packed!
(We hadn’t realized because we’d been outside the whole time, haha.)
Reservations are seated first, so we strongly recommend booking ahead!

The staff guided us efficiently, and the service was wonderful.
It feels welcoming for guests of every age.

The bright, cheerful staff and the lively energy of guests made the whole place feel alive (●＾o＾●)
Here’s the menu.
Toppings and sauces are clearly listed, so even unfamiliar pizzas are easy to order!
Most of the names you don’t recognize are probably cheeses.
There are plenty of staff around, so even without a call bell, someone will come to your table quickly.
Feel free to ask about anything on the menu (^^)/
Note: as you’ll be told beforehand, the pizzas are about 30 cm across — quite generous!

《Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza》
~ Seasonal Recommendations ~
・Funghi (mushroom) — 2,000 yen
・Zucca (pumpkin) — 2,200 yen

・Monte Bianco — 1,980 yen
・Quattro Formaggi (four cheese) — 2,200 yen
・Pizza “Aso” — 1,980 yen

《Antipasti》
・Caprese with mozzarella, ricotta and Aso tomatoes — 1,200 yen
・Akaushi (Aso brown beef) carpaccio — 1,180 yen
・Sweet potato chips with ricotta mousse — 680 yen
・Sauteed Aso shiitake with porcini mashed potato sauce — 1,050 yen

《Teppanyaki》
・Akaushi rump (200g) — 3,500 yen
・Akaushi sirloin (150g) — 4,000 yen
・Akaushi fillet (150g) — 4,500 yen

《Pasta》
・Sawamura-san’s tomato peperoncino — 1,280 yen
・Wagyu beef bolognese — 1,680 yen
・Homemade salsiccia and Aso shiitake cream sauce — 1,680 yenThe menu uses local ingredients — and when you see the actual producer’s name, it really makes you feel a personal connection to the people who grew your food!
UBUYAMA PLACE has a fantastic non-alcoholic drinks lineup — perfect news for the designated driver!
Non-alcoholic cocktails and zero-alcohol beers go beyond ordinary soft drinks, so everyone at the table can join in!

《Non-Alcoholic Cocktails》
・Premium Peach Bellini — 650 yen
・Homemade whey sour — 600 yen
・UBUYAMA Berry Farm — 600 yen
・Sri Lankan tea soda — 600 yen

《Non-Alcoholic Beer》
・Heineken 0.0 — 700 yen
・Homemade shandygaff — 750 yen
・Ubuyama tomato red eye — 850 yen
・Homemade lemonade beer — 750 yen

《Soft Drinks》
・Kumamoto 100% mikan (mandarin) juice — 440 yen
・Kumamoto 100% tomato juice — 550 yen
・Homemade ginger ale — 440 yen
・Homemade lemonade — 440 yen
・Ubuyama milk — 500 yen

《Beer》
・Heartland — 880 yen
・Today’s craft beer — please ask the staff

《Cafe》
・Ubuyama Special Blend coffee — 500 yen
・Ceylon tea — 400 yen
・Chai — 600 yen

UBUYAMA PLACE Recommended Menu

For our antipasto, we ordered the Caprese with mozzarella, ricotta and Aso tomatoes — 1,200 yen.
The staff explained, “The cheese is made from milk produced at a nearby dairy farm and crafted right next door at our cheese workshop!”

Both cheeses are mild and easy to enjoy.
The salt of the prosciutto, the gentle sweetness and acidity of the tomato, and the rich cheese flavor all shine through in this beautifully simple, ingredient-forward dish!
Zucca pizza — 2,200 yen
Pumpkin, ricotta, mozzarella, pancetta, gorgonzola, pumpkin paste, walnuts, rosemary.

I love both pizza and cheese, so it was a tough call — but the curious mix of pumpkin, walnut and gorgonzola won me over!
Sweet pumpkin sets the base, while salty pancetta and the unmistakable funk of gorgonzola provide the perfect accent — absolutely delicious!
Aromatic rosemary and the satisfying crunch of walnut against the soft toppings really do their job, haha.
With so many ingredients combined, it’s amazing how clearly you can still taste the cheese!

The crust is thin, but the toppings are generous, so it’s surprisingly filling (●＾o＾●)
It definitely makes you want to come back and try every other pizza!
The kids happily munched on the crusts (^^;)A kid-favorite — Wagyu beef bolognese — 1,680 yen.
When we ordered, the staff asked, “Would you like the pepper omitted?” We said yes, and they kindly brought a separate pepper mill to the table.
We didn’t realize the dish contained pepper to begin with, so this thoughtful gesture was very much appreciated!
The pasta is fettuccine — wonderfully chewy and satisfying.
It was a bit of a luxury for the kids, but they ate it happily (●＾o＾●)
The sauce clings beautifully to the pasta, with a deep, hearty flavor that really fills you up.
From left: Homemade whey sour — 600 yen, Homemade lemonade beer — 750 yen, Ubuyama milk — 500 yen.
For the kids, drinks come in cups with lids and straws — a thoughtful family-friendly touch.

I went with the homemade whey sour.
Do you know what whey is?
It’s that translucent liquid that sits on top of yogurt or drains from strained yogurt — the cloudy fluid known as whey.
Lately, you’ll even see Japanese yogurt packaging that says “Don’t pour this away!”
It’s high in protein and very nutritious!

Sorry for the long intro — but the drink itself was wonderfully refreshing, with that bright, yogurty tang. So good!
Served as a sour, it really works! I’d happily order it again!

My husband had the homemade lemonade beer.
The lemon adds a gentle fruitiness — he said it was delicious!

The kids stuck with their beloved milk.
It’s an Aso classic — when in Aso, drink the milk!
Apologies — I got so excited about dessert that I forgot to photograph the dessert menu! (T_T)
Freshly made homemade milk gelato — 500 yen
(+ 300 yen to top with espresso for an affogato)

“Wait — they call it gelato, but it looks more like soft serve.” That was my first thought… until I scooped it with a spoon!
Light and airy, with that signature gelato texture in every bite!
Yep, definitely gelato!

But despite that airy lightness, it’s wonderfully rich and milky!
The more you eat, the more it feels like you’re tasting fresh whipped cream — the gap between texture and flavor is genuinely impressive!
If you prefer less sweetness, top it with espresso to make an affogato!
And if you’re planning to save room for dessert, maybe go a little easy on the mains (^○^)
Here’s the pudding (purin) my husband ordered.
It’s a firm-style purin, packed with rich egg and milk flavor!
The caramel was on the milder side — pleasantly subtle.

The dessert lineup also includes ricotta cheesecake and tiramisu.
Ubuyama Village isn’t exactly around the corner for most people, but the food here is so good it’s absolutely worth the trip!
If you’ve come this far, definitely order a freshly baked pizza (●＾o＾●)
We also saw plenty of international visitors enjoying the place!
Between the location, the incredible food, and the warm hospitality — honestly, it feels like a resort!
You’ll think to yourself on the drive home, “That 1.5- to 2-hour drive from the city was 100% worth it!”

Why not come and eat, play, and unwind at UBUYAMA PLACE?
Arrive early for breakfast, stay through lunch, or linger for dinner!
Surrounded by stunning Aso nature, this is a place to refresh both body and soul!
Do plan a visit (^^)/

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Frequently Asked Questions

* Information is accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and opening hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.