Furano
Lavender in summer, powder snow in winter.
Why Japanese travelers love itThe lavender fields and Biei's hills are the picture of a Hokkaido summer drive.
Furano sits in the middle of Hokkaido, surrounded by farms and mountains. In July its lavender fields turn purple, and neighboring Biei adds rolling hills and the Blue Pond. In winter it becomes a ski town with dry snow. Public transport is thin outside summer, so a rental car makes life much easier. Pack layers: inland Hokkaido gets very cold in winter.
Best time: Early lavender blooms start in late June and peak in mid-July. Winter is ski season.
Weather
Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Furano AMeDAS (JMA)).
Top 5
- Farm TomitaThe best-known lavender and flower fields.
- Biei hillsFarmland patchwork for slow drives and photos from the road.
- Blue Pond (Shirogane)A strangely blue pond with standing dead trees.
- Furano Ski ResortDry winter snow and wide runs.
- Local dairy and cheeseFarm shops and ice cream along the way.
A simple day
- Start early at Farm Tomita before tour buses arrive.
- Lunch in Furano town.
- Drive to the Biei hills.
- See the Blue Pond in the late afternoon.
- Dinner back in Furano.
Where to stay
- Furano townRestaurants and the station.
- KitanomineNext to the ski lifts in winter.
- BieiQuiet farm stays and pensions.
Getting there
Sapporo → Furano: about 2h on the seasonal Furano Lavender Express. Other times, go via Asahikawa (about 1h25 by Limited Express, then a local train).
psst — skip this mistake: Stepping into the fields for photos. They are working farms; stay on paths.