Every summer, the rolling hills of central Hokkaido put on a show that no photograph can quite capture. The lavender fields of the Furano-Kamifurano area have drawn visitors from across Japan and around the world for decades, and late June through mid-July is the window when everything comes together — the fragrance in the air, the purple stretching to the horizon, and the cool mountain breeze that makes Hokkaido summer feel like a different country from the sweltering mainland.
Farm Tomita: Where It All Began
Farm Tomita in Nakafurano is the undisputed heart of Hokkaido's lavender country. The farm's story goes back to 1958, when the Tomita family planted their first lavender seedlings on a modest hillside plot. By the 1970s, a photograph of the farm's lavender field was selected for Japan's national railway calendar, and visitors began arriving by train. Today the farm sprawls across multiple themed gardens, each blooming in sequence from late June through August.
The most famous plot is the Irodori Field — a gently sloping hillside planted in horizontal stripes of purple lavender, white baby's breath, red poppies, orange California poppies, and pink garden catchfly. From the viewing deck at the top of the slope, the seven-color bands stretch out with the Tokachi mountain range behind them, creating the scene that has launched a thousand postcards.
Don't overlook the Traditional Lavender Field, the farm's oldest plot, where four different lavender cultivars — Okamurasaki, Yotei, Hanamoiwa, and Noushi Hayazaki — bloom at slightly different times, giving the field a layered palette of violet, blue-purple, and pale lilac.
Farm Tomita is free to enter, open year-round, and needs no reservation. The on-site shops sell lavender essential oils, dried flower sachets, and lavender honey. The farm's lavender soft-serve ice cream is practically mandatory — creamy with a floral, not soapy, sweetness. Arrive early in the morning (before 8:00 AM) if you want the fields largely to yourself; by 10:00 AM in peak season, the paths between the flower beds are shoulder-to-shoulder.
This year, the Farm Tomita Lavender East annex opens June 20 and stays open through July 20, adding an expansive extra field across the road. The Lavender East field was originally planted for essential oil production and covers a massive four hectares — Japan's largest single lavender field. It's a short drive (or a 15-minute walk) east of the main farm.
Hinode Park: The Hilltop Panorama
Hinode Park Lavender Garden sits on a hill overlooking the town of Kamifurano and offers what many locals consider the finest view in the region. From the summit, you look down across terraced lavender beds with the entire Tokachi mountain range — including the distinctive cone of Mount Tokachi — spread along the eastern horizon. The park is less crowded than Farm Tomita and has a contemplative, unhurried feel. A paved walking path winds up through the lavender rows, and there are benches at the top where you can sit and take in the panorama.
The Lavender Festa Kamifurano runs from July 4 to 12 at Hinode Park, with local food stalls, craft workshops, and evening illumination of the lavender fields. It's a livelier counterpoint to the quiet morning visits.
Beyond Lavender: Furano's Summer Palette
Lavender is the headline, but Furano's summer is about more than one flower. The rolling farmland between Furano and Biei — connected by the scenic "Patchwork Road" and "Panorama Road" — is planted with sunflowers, lupins, poppies, and potatoes in a patchwork quilt of colors. Rent a car or an e-bike and spend an afternoon weaving between the fields.
Ningle Terrace, tucked into the woods behind the New Furano Prince Hotel, is a cluster of tiny log-cabin workshops where local artisans sell handmade crafts — beeswax candles, felted wool animals, wood-turned pens, and botanical paper. The forest boardwalk that connects the cabins is especially atmospheric on misty mornings. The terrace was conceived by the writer Sou Kuramoto, creator of the beloved TV drama Kita no Kuni kara (From the Northern Country), which made Furano famous across Japan in the 1980s.
For food, Furano is a dairy country powerhouse. Furano Cheese Factory offers free tastings and hands-on butter-making workshops. The town's local curry restaurants serve rich, aromatic Furano curry using locally grown vegetables and Hokkaido beef. And if you're visiting in the evening, the Furano Wine House — with panoramic windows overlooking the valley — serves wines made from grapes grown on the surrounding hillsides.
When to Go
Early-blooming lavender varieties start coloring up around mid-June, but peak bloom for most fields is late June through mid-July. The Irodori Field at Farm Tomita is usually at its most vivid in the first two weeks of July. Late-blooming Okamurasaki lavender can last into early August.
Hokkaido summer temperatures are mild — daytime highs around 22-26 degrees Celsius — but the sun is strong at this latitude. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. Rain gear is wise too; Hokkaido's summer is drier than Honshu's rainy season, but afternoon showers aren't uncommon.
Getting There
From Sapporo, drive the Doto Expressway to Takikawa, then Route 38 south to Furano — about 2.5 hours total. JR trains run from Sapporo to Furano via Takikawa (about 2 hours, with a transfer at Takikawa).
From New Chitose Airport, a direct rental car drive takes about 2.5 hours. During peak lavender season (late June to July), JR Hokkaido runs the seasonal Furano Lavender Express limited express train from Sapporo, with no transfer needed — check the JR Hokkaido timetable for exact dates.
Once in Furano, the Norokko-go sightseeing train runs between Furano and Biei during summer, with a stop at Lavender-Batake Station — a tiny seasonal station built specifically to serve Farm Tomita. It's a five-minute walk from the platform to the entrance.
Tips for the Best Visit
- Arrive before 8 AM at Farm Tomita for soft morning light and thin crowds.
- Weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends.
- Combine Furano with Biei: the Blue Pond (Shirogane Blue Pond) and Shikisai-no-Oka flower park are 30-40 minutes north and make a perfect day-trip extension.
- Bring a light layer: Hokkaido mornings can be cool even in July.
- Don't skip the food: lavender soft-serve, Furano melon, fresh dairy, and local curry are half the experience.
Image: Irodori Field at Farm Tomita, Nakafurano, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
