Lavender has been cultivated in Hokkaido for more than half a century. When the arrival of lower priced, imported lavender led to a decrease in demand for Hokkaido’s lavender in the 1960s and 70s, the local lavender’s main function shifted from agricultural product to tourist attraction.
Nowadays, Furano‘s lavender fields attract large numbers of visitors to the region every summer, when the plants are in full bloom. The majority of lavender usually starts blooming in late June and reaches its peak from around mid July to early August. Less numerous, later flowering varieties of lavender remain in bloom into mid August.
Image via Flickr
Many other flowers make Furano an attractive destination outside of the lavender season, as well. The main season for flower viewing takes place between June and September, although some flowers also bloom earlier and later than that. Flowers include rape blossoms, poppies and lupins from June, lilies from July and sunflowers, salvias and cosmos from August and September.
There are numerous flower fields of various sizes all across Furano. The best spot to view the lavender is Farm Tomita, whose lavender and flower fields with the Tokachi mountain range as backdrop are spectacular. The popular farm is free to enter and besides the flower fields has cafes and shops that sell a wide range of lavender related products. The farm naturally gets rather busy during the peak season.
In 2008, Farm Tomita opened a second farm, Lavender East to the public. Located about four kilometers east of Farm Tomita, Lavender East has by far the most spacious of all lavender fields in Furano, covering 14 hectares. Besides a shop, cafe and observation deck, the farm offers paid 15 minute rides on the “Lavender Bus” through the lavender fields.
Another popular farm for lavender and other flowers is the Flower Land Kamifurano. The farm’s hillside location affords beautiful views of the Tokachi mountain range in combination with the flower fields. Among the attractions are rides through the fields on tractor pulled carts and hands on experiences such as lavender cutting and flower pressing.
An attractive way to travel between Furano, Biei and some of the lavender farms while enjoying the scenery, is the Furano-Biei Norokko train. The train operates daily from early June through August and stops at the temporarily constructed Lavender-Batake Station, a five minute walk from Farm Tomita.
Schauwecker’s Japan Travel Blog: Furano Lavender in full bloom
http://www.japan-guide.com7/14/09
A photo of lavender fields at Farm Tomita in a railway calendar in the 1970s marked the beginning of Furano as Japan’s ultimate lavender viewing destination, a distinction that is attracting large numbers of domestic and …
富良野 ラベンダーの季節 Flower and Lavender Fields. Furano Hokkaido, Japan
2006年7月26日に撮影した富良野のラベンダー。 ハイビジョンビデオカメラ：「HDR-HC1」、 動画編集：「Windows Live ムービーメーカー」 音楽：「TAM Music Factory」 http://www.tam-music.com/ □北海道旅行のブログ記事 http://gank2o.bl…
Hokkaido has the most number of famous Hot Springs in Japan. Various Hot Springs located at beautiful scenic mountain area, lake side and other natural scenic places making Hokkaido a wonderful place for Hot Spring Therapeutic Treatments. No matter which Hokkaido Hot Spring you have chosen, once you dip in, it would give a wonderful relaxing experience that is beyond your imagination.
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