Lavender has been cultivated in Hokkaido since the 1940s. When the arrival of lower priced, imported lavender led to a decrease in demand for Hokkaido's lavender in the 60s 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.
Many other flowers make Furano an attractive destination also outside of the lavender season. The viewing season 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 on selected days during summer and stops at the temporarily constructed Lavender-Batake Station, a five minute walk from Farm Tomita.
Getting there and around
Lavender and flower fields are spread across Furano, and many of them are not easily accessible without private transportation. A rental car is the easiest way to get around. Alternatively, there are some sightseeing buses that visit some of the sights during the summer months.
Farm Tomita
On selected days during summer, the Furano-Biei Norokko trains stop at the seasonally constructed "Lavender-Batake Station" (20 minutes, 300 yen from Furano or 35 minutes, 540 yen from Biei), from where the farm can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk. Farm Tomita is also served by some sightseeing buses from Furano and Asahikawa.
Outside of summer, access by public transportation in non-existent.
Farm Tomita - Lavender East
Lavender East is located about four kilometers east of Farm Tomita, about an hour's walk or a 5-10 minute car ride away. Access by public transportation is not provided.
Flower Land Kamifurano
Flower Land Kamifurano is located three kilometers uphill, a five minute taxi ride or about a 50-60 minute walk from Kamifurano Station (20 minutes, 440 yen from Furano or Biei).
Hours and Fees
Farm Tomita
Hours
Closed
Admission
Farm Tomita - Lavender East (open only in July)
Hours
Closed
Admission
Flower Land Kamifurano
Hours
9:00 to 17:00 (May to June, September to October)
9:00 to 16:00 (March to April and November)
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Furano
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Hotel Hanafuji InnSituated in Furano, 7.9 km from Furano Station, Hotel Hanafuji Inn features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 12 km from Windy Garden. At the hotel, the rooms come with a desk. Hotel Hanafuji Inn provides some rooms with mountain views, and the rooms include a kettle. All rooms in the accommodation are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A continental breakfast is available each morning at Hotel Hanafuji Inn. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 8.2 km from Hotel Hanafuji Inn, while Furano Golf Course is 18 km from the property. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 33 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANALocated in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA provides accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. 4.1 km from Windy Garden and 2 km from Furano City Office, the hotel features ski-to-door access. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Each room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries, while selected rooms are fitted with a kitchen fitted with a microwave. At Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Guests at Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the hotel. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from Winery Hotel and Condominium HITOHANA.View on Booking.com -
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Cottage Morino NakamatachiSet in Furano in the Hokkaido region, Cottage Morino Nakamatachi offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. Every unit features a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. A microwave, a stovetop and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Furano Station is 3.1 km from the lodge, while Windy Garden is 3.6 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 43 km from Cottage Morino Nakamatachi.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House EBISANFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Guest House EBISAN is set in Furano, 21 km from Furano Station and 22 km from Windy Garden. This guest house offers free private parking, a concierge service and free WiFi. The accommodation provides bicycle parking and a shared lounge for guests. At the guest house, the units are fitted with a tatami. The units feature a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing, cycling and hiking. Furano City Office is 21 km from Guest House EBISAN, while Furano Golf Course is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 61 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Tsuru ApartmentsOffering spacious apartments with a kitchen, washing machine and free WiFi, the completely non-smoking Tsuru Apartments is just 300 metres from the Furano ski slopes. Skiing lessons and restaurant reservations can be arranged. Each modern apartment at Tsuru Apartments Furano includes a washing machine and a satellite flat-screen TV with DVD player. The kitchen comes with a dishwasher and microwave, and the private bathroom has a shower and hairdryer. Guests can relax at the living area with sofa. Furano Winery and Furano Cheese Factory are both about 5 km away. The property sells ski passes and offers ski storage. Japanese cuisine are available for breakfast at Tsuru Restaurant (reservation required).View on Booking.com -
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La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot SpringSituated in Furano, 300 metres from Furano Station, La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a restaurant. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The hotel offers a sauna and a 24-hour front desk. All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. The shared bathroom is fitted with a shower, a hairdryer and slippers. At La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring, the rooms come with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Windy Garden is 5.7 km from La Vista Furano Hills Natural Hot Spring, while Furano City Office is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 41 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Pension LavenderA 10-minute taxi ride from JR Furano Train Station, the completely non-smoking Pension Lavender offers a homely lounge with a wood-burning stove and a large flat-screen TV. The heated rooms have free Wi-Fi. The simply furnished, Western-style rooms at Lavender Pension have a lamp and a nightstand. Matching floral patterns decorate the beds and curtains. Some rooms have a private bathroom. The pension is 4 km from Furano Ski Resort and a 25-minute drive from Farm Tomita. Asahigaoka Park is 1.7 km away. On-site parking is free. Free tea and instant coffee are provided at the lounge, and the terrace offers mountain views. You can enjoy a DVD or use the free Wi-Fi, and slippers are provided. Luggage storage and safe deposit are available at the front desk. A Western breakfast set is served at the dining room, which has tall windows and potted plants.View on Booking.com -
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CHALET BURLAP FURANUILocated in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, CHALET BURLAP FURANUI provides accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking, a restaurant and ski-to-door access. This 3-star hotel offers a ski pass sales point and free shuttle service. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a sauna. At the hotel, all rooms have a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a shower and free toiletries, all units at CHALET BURLAP FURANUI have a TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the accommodation every room comes with bed linen and towels. Guests at CHALET BURLAP FURANUI can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The hotel offers a hot spring bath. Guests at CHALET BURLAP FURANUI will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Windy Garden is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Furano City Office is 2 km away. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from CHALET BURLAP FURANUI.View on Booking.com -
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Jstyle STAY FuranoJstyle STAY Furano, a property with a garden, is located in Furano, 3.6 km from Windy Garden, 1.5 km from Furano City Office, as well as 13 km from Furano Golf Course. The 2-star holiday home features mountain views and is 2.4 km from Furano Station. The holiday home provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. Each unit is equipped with a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with bidet and slippers. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. At the holiday home, all units come with bed linen and towels. Skiing is possible within the area and the holiday home offers ski storage space. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from Jstyle STAY Furano.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Munin FuranoSituated in Furano, 2.8 km from Furano Station, Hotel Munin Furano features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 3.8 km from Windy Garden. At the hotel, rooms are fitted with a desk. The rooms in Hotel Munin Furano are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Furano, like skiing. Furano City Office is 1.9 km from Hotel Munin Furano, while Furano Golf Course is 13 km from the property. The nearest airport is Asahikawa Airport, 42 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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