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As I stay up for my subsequent summer time 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 prepare journey from Sapporo, that is considered one of my favourite summer time experiences anyplace in Japan.
Hokkaido’s flower fields, to make certain, are greater than alternatives to reap Instagram likes. Amongst different delights, you’ll be able to 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 be taught extra about why—and the way—you must put your Hokkaido lavender journey collectively, this 12 months, subsequent or anytime sooner or later.
The place to Keep in Hokkaido if You Love Lavender
The unhealthy information? Not one of the accommodations in shut proximity to the Hokkaido lavender fields provide an expertise I feel is…nicely, lavender sufficient. Whereas Pension Lavender, for instance, has a backyard stuffed with its namesake botanical, it doesn’t go as excessive as I’ve come to anticipate themed Japanese lodging to do. It looks as if a missed alternative to me one way or the other (though I’m not ready to open my very own lavender lodge, to be truthful).
This leaves you with two choices. The primary could be to scour Airbnb for properties, which include a caveat: The connection of the Japanese authorities with Airbnb signifies that each the amount and high quality of houses can very drastically. An alternative choice, in case you don’t thoughts a protracted trek out and an extended one again, is to remain in Asahikawa, and journey through prepare 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.
Can’t-Miss Lavender Actions in Hokkaido
Apply 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 mates traipsing amid the lavender. The higher information? When you can’t bear the crowds at Farm Tomita, and don’t think about its hilliness a necessity in your footage, you’ll be able to set your GPS for the Hokkaido lavender fields of Lavender East (which is owned by the identical individuals) as a substitute.
Pattern lavender tender cream (and different Hokkaido milk concoctions)
The lavender fields themselves however, another excuse individuals flock to Naka-Furano is to eat lavender tender cream. The one served at Farm Tomita has each the aroma and the style of pure lavender; others can odor and look downright pretend. (TIP: Plain Hokkaido milk tender cream served in half a melon can also be a pleasant summer time deal with!)
Buy selfmade Hokkaido lavender merchandise
Whether or not at Farm Tomita or any variety of different outlets within the neighborhood, there’s by no means a scarcity of lavender-related items to purchase. Specifically, soaps and fragrances are well-liked, although you may also buy plush toys, teas and unfastened lavender, amongst different seasonal merchandise.
Commerce purple for blue
When you’ve had sufficient of the Hokkaido lavender fields or simply need to break up days on finish of Instagram taking pictures, drive (or, in case you’re affected person) journey the prepare/bus north to Biei. Along with a number of waterfalls and a scrumptious burger stand I hope remains to be open. Biei is dwelling to the aptly-named Shirogane Blue Pond, which is very vibrant and colourful on a shiny, sunny day.
(Or the zoo)
The journey from Furano to Asashikawa is barely longer than the one to Biei, however the rewards are extra advanced. If Asahiyama Zoo finally ends up not being your factor—and let’s face it: it isn’t for many individuals—you’ll be able to spend your time discovering underrated, sleepy Asahikawa metropolis, which could be a good reprieve, specific in case your journey so far has been tourist-filled.
BONUS: See lavender at a wierd Sapporo cemetery
Need to see lavender in Hokkaido 2024 with out touring removed from Sapporo? Set your GPS for Makominai Takino Cemetery, which is lower than half-hour from town by automobile (and likewise solely round an hour through public transport). Along with housing an enormous Buddha encased in a lavender-covered dome, the cemetery is dwelling to replicas of Stonehenge and the Easter Island monoliths.
Learn how to Get to and Across the Hokkaido Lavender Fields
You’ll discover many various Hokkaido rental automobile choices upon arriving at New Chitose Airport, which is essentially the most handy place to choose one up. Many Western firms have workplaces there, albeit some in partnership with Japanese suppliers. I made my reserving by means of Hertz, for instance, however ended up driving a car off the lot of Toyota Lease-a-Automobile, which is now my firm of alternative when renting a automobile in Japan.
After all, you needn’t lease a automobile in case you merely need to see the Hokkaido lavender. You possibly can stroll or take a bus from Naka-Furano Station (which is itself accessible immediately from Asahikawa and not directly—through Asahikawa—from Sapporo) to each Farm Tomita and Lavender East, and do most anything within the space utilizing public transport as nicely, although doing so will go away 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.
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 vegetation (and a few scattered lavender fields) in different components of Japan, that is undoubtedly the place pictured in any images you’ve seen.
How do I get to Farm Tomita?
You possibly can attain Farm Tomita by bus or on meals from JR Naka-Furano station. Alternatively, you’ll be able to stroll to Lavender East, which is positioned nearer to the station and tends to be much less crowded, even when additionally it is 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 somewhat 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 somewhat colorless in the course of the winter, I have to warn you).
The Backside Line
The place are you able to see lavender in Hokkaido? Whether or not you’re planning a visit in 2024, 2025 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 uncertain? Contemplate hiring me to plan your Hokkaido journey in case you’re uncertain in any respect!
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