In Summer, the Hills of Furano Turn Lavender

Lavender, an herb of the mint family, grows natively on Mediterranean coastlines. Fragrances extracted from lavender are used in so-called aroma therapy, where they are claimed to have properties of inducing relaxation, relieving tension, and easing tempers. Strolling through lavender fields, inhaling deeply of invigorating breezes as one goes, is believed by some to be capable of relieving everyday stress, thereby revitalizing both body and soul.

Almost all of the flowerbeds in the Furano area are open and admission-free every day during the best viewing period, which runs from June to late August. This article presents three such flowerbeds, starting with Farm Tomita, said to be the cradle of Hokkaidō’s lavender field tourism.

Lavender is distinguished by its striking violet blossoms and sweet, comforting fragrance.

Farm Tomita, a Lavender Theme Park

Cultivation of lavender in the Furano region on an industrial scale began around 1952, near the end of the post–World War II occupation of Japan. The land area under cultivation expanded throughout the 1960s, as the plant provided raw material for perfumes derived from natural substances. In the 1970s, however, advances in technologies for creating synthetic perfume compounds, combined with the arrival of inexpensive imported perfumes, caused the price of lavender oil to tumble, driving many farmers out of the market.

Farm Tomita continued steadily growing lavender amid these upheavals, however. And when its lavender fields were featured in the 1976 calendar produced by Japanese National Railways (the state-run predecessor to today’s privatized JR Group), the area was overrun with amateur photographers from all over Japan, intent on capturing for themselves the vistas depicted there. Farm Tomita found itself presented with a new business opportunity, switching from producing oils for perfumes to becoming a sightseeing destination. Thus, the hills of Furano were once again turned lavender.

Twice the relaxation benefit: green forests and the bracing scent of lavender.

Fields covered in violet are full of visitors wielding cameras.

Each such area is arranged to provide flowers in different aspects for visitors’ enjoyment. One field offers color gradations of four different kinds of lavender blossoms, while another sets the blossoms off against flowering plants of various other colors with a stand of pine trees as a backdrop.

Breathtakingly colorful views entice photographers and sightseers.

Flowering plants in various colors bring out the purple of the lavender blossoms.

On the farm grounds are a variety of ingenious offerings, including tours of the only distillery in Japan that extracts essential oils from lavender blossoms, an arts-and-crafts corner where visitors can make bookmarks scented with the fragrance of their choice, and exhibits of some of the country’s largest dried flower arrangements. There is also an extensive line of original branded merchandise for sale, including potpourri and dried flowers. It all comes together to make this farm something more like a lavender theme park.

The farm’s original soft ice cream, flavored with extract of lavender, has a clean, fresh taste and hits the spot on a hot summer day.

The farm has a café serving original sweets, as well as a gift shop selling lavender seedlings and potpourri, among other merchandise.

A lavender ice cream cone set against fields of flowers is made for Instagramming.

DATA

• Address: Kisen-Kita 15, Nakafurano, Sorachi, Hokkaidō
• Tel.: 0167-39-3939
• Admission: Free to enter, free parking
• Hours: The flowerbeds and parking lots are open 24 hours; hours vary at the café and gift shop.
• Access: 25 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi from Nakafurano Station on JR Furano Line, or 7 minutes on foot from Rabendā-batake (Lavender-Farm) Station, a stop serviced by the Furano-Biei Norokko, a train that runs only in the summer months.

Furano-Biei Norokko is a train on the JR Furano Line offering great views of the pastoral fields of the area, but only during the summer.

Chōei Lavender Farm and Nakafurano Flower Park: Flowerbeds by Chairlift

Mount Hokusei, the symbol of Nakafurano, provides the slope for the town’s municipal ski run in winter. In summer, however, that same slope turns purple. The main attraction here is being able to ride the ski lift above the blooming lavender fields. It’s a different experience seeing them spreading out below oneself than at eye level. Another treat is being able to see the peaks of Mount Tokachi and Mount Furano to the east on the way down.

The slope with the chairlift at one side.

In summer, bright colors transform what had been a silvery ski slope in winter.

DATA

• Address: 1-41 Miyamachi, Nakafurano, Sorachi, Hokkaidō
• Access: 10 minutes on foot from Nakafurano Station on JR Furano Line
• Admission: Free to enter, free parking
• Sightseeing Chairlift: open 9:00 am to 6:00 pm through August 31; ¥400 round-trip fare for high-school students and older, ¥200 for elementary and junior-high school students
• Inquiries: Nakafurano Town Hall, Industries and Construction Division (Tel.: 0167-44-2123)

Hinode Lavender Garden: Dedicated to People in Love

The hilltop observation deck affords a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view. To the northwest, lavender fields spread out all over, while the majestic Tokachi mountains press in close from the east. It is said that if you visit the pure white Ai-no-kane (Bell of Love) in these fields with a lover and ring the bell together, you will have a happy relationship. Couples can thus be found here, as well as people posing for souvenir photos in white wedding gowns.

The area also has a popular motor home campground with a full complement of facilities. Visitors may want to stay there overnight and take leisurely strolls through the lavender fields.

The view from the observation deck looks like a green and purple patchwork quilt.

The Bell of Love is popular with couples. It is claimed that exchanging vows here will bring happiness.

DATA

• Address: 27 Higashi Issen-kita, Kamifurano, Sorachi, Hokkaidō
• Access: 15 minutes on foot from Kamifurano Station on JR Furano Line
• Admission: Free to enter, free parking
• Inquiries: Kamifurano Town Hall, Industrial Promotion Section (Tel.: 0167-45-6983)

(Originally published in Japanese. Photos by Maeda Akihiro. Banner photo: the lavender fields of Farm Tomita.)