[Hokkaido] [Lavender]Furano’s Lavender Fields Bursting with Blooms and Brimming with Awe !

“You know how people often say that Hokkaido is so vast and awe-inspiring, even within Japan? Any recommendations on where to go in Hokkaido?”
Oh absolutely! I love the way you think. If you’re visiting during the summer, I highly recommend the lavender fields in Furano. They’re at their peak between June and July. There are places where the entire view is just flower fields, especially lavender. The vivid colors and vastness are breathtaking – truly a must-see for any Instagrammer. Furano is centrally located in Hokkaido, making it easily accessible from the gateway to Hokkaido, New Chitose Airport, and the major city of Sapporo. Since you’re in Japan, do make sure to experience the grandeur of Hokkaido through its expansive lavender fields!

An Impromptu Review of the lavender fields in Furano

There are several lavender fields in Furano, but the most expansive one is at Tomita Farm. To give you an idea of just how awe-inspiring Tomita Farm can be, I’ve decided to rate it on a 5-point scale. Brace yourselves, because I’m about to shower praises on the Furano lavender fields until you’re utterly overwhelmed. You see, I’m somewhat of a nature and plant enthusiast, deeply in love with the great outdoors and flowers from all over Japan. So, with that passion in mind, I’ve evaluated Tomita Farm in Furano based on five key points:

Tomita Farm’s Scenery: ★★★★★
Novelty & Curiosity Factor: ★★★★★
Cleanliness & Freshness: ★★★★★
Fragrance of the Flowers: ★★★★☆
Accessibility from Tokyo: ★★☆☆☆

・The sight of over 20 plots of lavender fields lining the hillside goes beyond breathtaking—it’s truly moving.
・The way these lavender fields are laid out to maximize their allure is something you’ll find in very few places worldwide.
・the therapeutic effects of plants are profound; you’ll feel a surge of the ‘happiness hormone,’ serotonin.
・While the scent of the flowers is refreshing, lavender blossoms inherently might not be as fragrant as one would expect.
・Getting there involves catching a plane, and then, quite some time in either a rental car or on a train.

As for the time you should spend touring the lavender fields:
For a quick feel of the ambiance: About 1 hour
For those wanting to fully immerse themselves: 2 hours or more is recommended.

Features of Furano’s Lavender Fields

When you think of lavender, the herb and flower that come to mind are typically associated with Europe. It’s famed for its vivid and delicate purple blossoms and pleasant scent. Well, the scent actually comes from the seeds, not the… ahem, nevermind. It smells delightful, doesn’t it? Besides its wonderful aroma, it’s effective as a deterrent against mites, making it a highly beneficial plant to cultivate.

The climate in Furano, with its limited rainfall and cool summers, mirrors that of Europe, making it an ideal environment for lavender to thrive. This led to the creation of the fields, and when they blossom between June and August, the sight is simply stunning. Recognizing that it would be a waste for only the farmers to enjoy this spectacle, Tomita Farm decided to open its doors to the public.

The breathtaking view of over 20 plots bursting with lavender flowers is complemented by the vibrant hues of other flowers, the panoramic view of downtown Furano from atop the hill, and the region’s delicious melons and soft-serve ice cream. Despite being a place where one can easily spend the whole day without getting bored, admission is free! How generous!

Tourist Spots Near Furano

Despite its somewhat challenging accessibility, once you’ve made it to Furano, it’s only right to thoroughly explore and savor everything the region has to offer. The photo shows the Blue Pond located in Biei town, right next to Furano. Impressive, isn’t it? Its hue is so magical that you might expect a dragon to emerge or suspect it was conjured up by a sorceress.

The pond owes its striking blue color to volcanic activity, with dissolved minerals such as aluminum and sulfur contributing to its hue. However, achieving this particular shade requires specific atmospheric conditions. Even in volcanic Japan, such a landscape is unique to the Blue Pond.

You can reach this spot from Furano with just a 1-2 hour journey, hopping on a train and then a bus.

Access to Furano’s Tomita Farm

Hokkaido is vast, even by Japanese standards. Feeling its expansiveness is part of its charm, but indeed, distances can be long. There are two main ways to access Furano’s Tomita Farm: by rental car or by taking the train plus a bus.

Rental Car: Convenient but requires adherence to safe driving practices.
Train + Bus: Fewer services in Hokkaido, but it allows for leisurely viewing of the scenery.

【Rental Car】
There are car rental services available at New Chitose Airport. One might think, ‘Just follow Google Maps…’ Ahem, apologies for that oversight. It’s less than two and a half hours to Tomita Farm on the expressway. From Chitose, get on the highway and head east towards the Tokachi region. Drive for about an hour to the Shimkappu (Shimukappu) Interchange. From Shimkappu, head towards Furano. After about an hour and a half driving north through gentle hills, you’ll arrive at Tomita Farm. Once you enter Furano city, there are clear signs for Tomita Farm, so it’s easy to find.
The journey offers several scenic spots, but there can be heavy traffic. Sudden deceleration or abrupt stops are not only violations of driving etiquette but can also lead to accidents. It’s essential to maintain a consistent speed and drive safely. If you find yourself lost, for accident prevention, continue driving without abrupt changes – it’s a driving etiquette in Japan.

【Train】
By train, it takes about three and a half hours to reach Furano’s Tomita Farm.
New Chitose Airport Station → (JR Rapid Train) → Sapporo Station → (JR Limited Express Train) → Takikawa Station → (JR Local Train) → Furano Station → (JR Local Train) → Lavender Field Station.
During the journey, the train passes through expansive Hokkaido plains, and occasionally, you might spot foxes or deer. A leisurely train journey can indeed be a delightful experience.

Public transportation within Furano city is somewhat inconvenient due to the limited number of buses and trains. In the end, renting a bicycle can be the most convenient option. Whether you’re coming from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo, your primary access choices are rental cars or the train. Both options can be time-consuming, so it wouldn’t be accurate to describe the location as easily accessible.

Summary

In this article, we introduced the beautiful lavender fields of Tomita Farm in Furano, Hokkaido.
Tomita Farm, combining practicality with tourism, stands out not only for its scenery but also for its meticulous maintenance. One can observe the passion and care of the workers as they happily tend to the fields. The paths for visitors and fences are continuously improved upon, keeping in mind what would bring the most joy to tourists. They even adapt to the rise of social media platforms like Instagram by creating photo spots.
This constant evolution and dedication to betterment make Tomita Farm a place you’ll undoubtedly want to revisit.
If you haven’t been yet, make sure to visit during the summer!