As I stay up for my subsequent summer season journey to Hokkaido, one of many experiences I can’t wait to reprise is frolicking amid the Hokkaido lavender fields. Situated in Naka-Furano a brief drive or practice journey from Sapporo, that is one in all my favourite summer season experiences wherever in Japan.
Hokkaido’s flower fields, to make sure, are greater than alternatives to reap Instagram likes. Amongst different delights, you possibly can pattern lavender-flavored and scented merchandise, together with delectable soft-serve ice cream made with actual Hokkaido milk.
Neither is Hokkaido solely interesting as a vacation spot due to lavender paraphernalia. Proceed studying to study extra about why—and the way—you must put your Hokkaido lavender season journey collectively.
Learn how to Get to and Across the Hokkaido Lavender Fields
Whether or not or not you pre-book by way of DiscoverCars, you’ll discover many various Hokkaido rental automobile choices upon arriving at New Chitose Airport, which is probably the most handy place to choose one up. Many Western firms have places of work there, albeit some in partnership with Japanese suppliers. I made my reserving by way of Hertz, for instance, however ended up driving a car off the lot of Toyota Lease-a-Automotive, which is now my firm of selection when renting a automobile in Japan.
After all, you needn’t lease a automobile in the event you merely wish to see the Hokkaido lavender. You may stroll or take a bus from Naka-Furano Station (which is itself accessible straight from Asahikawa and not directly—by way of Asahikawa—from Sapporo) to each Farm Tomita and Lavender East, and do most the rest within the space utilizing public transport as properly, despite the fact that doing so will depart you on the mercy of comparatively rare departures. On this occasion, I’d advocate staying at the least 2-3 nights so that you don’t miss out on something.
Can’t-Miss Lavender Actions in Hokkaido
Follow your selfie recreation at Farm Tomita
The excellent news? One of many chief causes individuals come to Farm Tomita is to {photograph} themselves and their associates traipsing amid the lavender. The higher information? If you happen to can’t bear the crowds at Farm Tomita, and don’t contemplate its hilliness a necessity to your photos, you possibly can set your GPS for the Hokkaido lavender fields of Lavender East (which is owned by the identical individuals) as a substitute.
Pattern lavender smooth cream (and different Hokkaido milk concoctions)
The lavender fields themselves however, one more reason individuals flock to Naka-Furano is to eat lavender smooth cream. The one served at Farm Tomita has each the aroma and the style of pure lavender; others can odor and look downright faux. (TIP: Plain Hokkaido milk smooth cream served in half a melon can also be a pleasant summer season deal with!)
Buy do-it-yourself Hokkaido lavender merchandise
Whether or not at Farm Tomita or any variety of different retailers within the neighborhood, there’s by no means a scarcity of lavender-related items to purchase. Specifically, soaps and fragrances are fashionable, although it’s also possible to buy plush toys, teas and unfastened lavender, amongst different seasonal merchandise.
Commerce purple for blue
If you happen to’ve had sufficient of the Hokkaido lavender fields or simply wish to break up days on finish of Instagram capturing, drive (or, in the event you’re affected person) journey the practice/bus north to Biei. Along with a number of waterfalls and a scrumptious burger stand that I hope remains to be open. Biei is residence to the aptly-named Shirogane Blue Pond, which is very vibrant and colourful on a brilliant, sunny day.
(Or the zoo)
The journey from Furano to Asashikawa is barely longer than the one to Biei, however the rewards are extra complicated. If Asahiyama Zoo finally ends up not being your factor—and let’s face it: it isn’t for many individuals—you possibly can spend your time discovering underrated, sleepy Asahikawa metropolis, which could be a good reprieve, significantly in case your journey so far has been tourist-filled.
BONUS: See lavender at an odd Sapporo cemetery
Wish to see lavender in Hokkaido 2027 with out touring removed from Sapporo? Set your GPS for Makominai Takino Cemetery, which is lower than half-hour from the town by automobile (and in addition solely round an hour by way of public transport). Along with housing a large Buddha encased in a lavender-covered dome, the cemetery is residence to replicas of Stonehenge and the Easter Island monoliths.
The place to Keep in Hokkaido if You Love Lavender
The dangerous information? Not one of the motels in shut proximity to the Hokkaido lavender fields provide an expertise I feel is…properly, lavender sufficient. Whereas Pension Lavender, for instance, has a backyard full of its namesake botanical, it doesn’t go as excessive as I’ve come to count on themed Japanese lodging to do. It looks like a missed alternative to me in some way (though I’m not ready to open my very own lavender lodge, to be truthful).
This leaves you with two choices. The primary can be to scour Airbnb for properties, which include a caveat: The connection of the Japanese authorities with Airbnb implies that each the amount and high quality of houses can fluctuate vastly. An alternative choice, in the event you don’t thoughts a protracted trek out and an extended one again, is to remain in Asahikawa, and journey by way of practice or rental automobile to Naka-Furano, taking what basically quantities to a lavender day journey, as soon as you realize the place to see lavender in Hokkaido.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hokkaido in Summer time
The place can I see lavender in Japan?
The most well-liked place to see lavender in Japan is in Naka-Furano, a city within the central a part of the island of Hokkaido. Though yow will discover lavender crops (and a few scattered lavender fields) in different components of Japan, that is undoubtedly the place pictured in any photographs you’ve seen.
How do I get to Farm Tomita?
You may attain Farm Tomita by bus or on meals from JR Naka-Furano station. Alternatively, you possibly can stroll to Lavender East, which is positioned nearer to the station and tends to be much less crowded, even when it’s also barely much less picturesque (it’s flat) than hilly Farm Tomita.
Is Farm Tomita open in winter?
Farm Tomita is “open” in winter, however with out its well-known flowers is a slightly unhappy place. Definitely, I wouldn’t waste any a part of a winter journey to Hokkaido on this a part of the island, with the attainable exception of Biei (whose blue pond is slightly colorless through the winter, I need to warn you).
The Backside Line
The place are you able to see lavender in Hokkaido? Whether or not you’re planning a visit for Hokkaido lavender season 2027, 2028 or every other time sooner or later, there’s by no means a nasty time to go to Japan’s northernmost island throughout its warmest time of 12 months. The Hokkaido lavender fields themselves are solely the start, whether or not you utilize them as a jumping-off level for culinary and retail adventures, or discover outlying Hokkaido locations in Biei, Asahikawa and even farther afield. Nonetheless not sure? Think about hiring me to plan your Hokkaido journey in the event you’re not sure in any respect!