
Tag: Central Hokkaido

Toya Temple & Monument

Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | - |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0142-82-5076 |
Notes | Buddhist temple, sightseeing spot, photography spot, historical landmark |
Location / Getting There | Located on the northern shore of Lake Toya. Can be found just above the road located north of Route 132 23 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
On the northern shore of Lake Toya you can find Toya Temple and a scenic monument of Hokkaido. They are both just off route 132 and there is a road leading up where you can find parking. Toya Temple is a Shinto shrine that offers scenic views over the lake. The public are welcome to walk around the small grounds here where you can appreciate the statues, architecture, and wooden carvings that surround the temple. The doors to the temple itself are often closed but it’s still a nice area to check out. The temple makes for a nice look in if you are taking a stroll around the path that follows the shore.
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The path that winds around the northern part of the lake that includes sightseeing spots such as Ukimido Park, and Toyako Art Museum & park plus the Ko Park Camping Ground. The whole area is dotted with beautiful sculptures. Along the small access road that leads to Toya Temple, you can also find one of the ‘scenic monuments of Hokkaido’. There are three scenic monuments in Hokkaido, with the other two being in Jozankei, and on the small island of Rishiri. These three scenic monuments were selected in 1923 by the Otaru Newspaper which was one of three main papers in Hokkaido at the time.

Tomita Farm

Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | 8:30 - 18:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | 016-739-3939 https://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/ |
Notes | Flower viewing, souvenir shops, photography spot, parking available, cafe on site |
Location / Getting There | ✸ From Asahikawa Airport ~ 45 minute drive via National Route 237 ✸ From New Chitose Airport ~ 2 hours 30 minute drive via Higashi-Koukan IC on the Higashi Expressway ✸ From Sapporo city ~ 2 hours 30 minute drive via Hokkaido Expressway Mikasa IC 15号 Kisenkita, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0704 |
Tomita Farm is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Furano, and is one of the top spots during the spring and summer. It is a huge area that is divided into different fields of stunning flowers, souvenir shops and food stalls. Whether getting to the farm via car, bus, or train you can spend a couple of hours here enjoying the great sights! The flower season starts as early as mid April and goes until early October. The different flowers have different blooming times, though the best times to visit the park are around late June through July.
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The most prominent flowers at the Tomita Farm are the lavender fields which bloom early and are best seen early July. The lavender field here was the first lavender field in Japan and was foundation for Tomita farm. The souvenirs and the numerous shops sell many lavender based products, from soap and scent packs to lavender ice cream! Apart from the lavender, Farm Tomita has various flower fields, a forest covered field, a herb & perennial garden, a greenhouse, and a birch forest. Take your time and enjoy the splendid views as each garden offers colorful beauty.
Getting to the farm by bus
The nearest bus stop is “Nakafurano” (Furano Bus). The Furano Bus (rapid lavender) does eight trips a day. For more information, click on this bus timetable. From Asahikawa station it takes 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs ¥780 one way. From Asahikawa airport it takes 48 minutes at ¥680 one way. The Chuo Bus from Sapporo runs ten times a day. Check here for the Sapporo bus timetable. From Sapporo to the Furano terminal it takes 2 hours and 30 minutes at ¥2,260 one way. From the Furano bus station you can take a taxi which is a fifteen minute ride, or you can take the local train to the farm.
Getting to the farm by train
The local station is “Lavender Hata Station” which is a 7 minute walk from Farm Tomita, or its a 25 minute walk from “Nakafurano Station”.
Sapporo Station ~ Takikawa Station ~ Furano Station ⇔ Nakafurano Station
- SapporoJR Limited Express Super Kamui and others (about 55 minutes)
- TakikawaJR Nemuro Main Line (about 1 hour 10 minutes)
- FuranoJR Furano Line (about 10 minutes)
- Nakafurano
One way ¥ 3,940
Sapporo Station ~ Asahikawa Station ⇔ Nakafurano Station
- SapporoJR Limited Express Super Kamui and others (about 1 hour 25 minutes)
- AsahikawaJR Furano Line (about 1 hour 5 minutes)
- Nakafurano
One way ¥ 5,470

Toyako Art Museum & Park

Admission | ¥300 adults ¥200 high school students ¥100 children Free for Toyako townspeople |
Opening Hours | 10:30 - 16:30 |
Closed | Mondays November to March |
Contact | 0142-87-2525 |
Notes | Local art gallery, parking available, wheelchair access |
Location / Getting There | Located on the northern side of Lake Toya. 3 minute walk from Toya Mizu-no-eki (Toyasui Station). 35-17 Tōyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
The Toyako Art Museum is a small art museum that can be found by the northern shores of Lake Toya. The museum predominantly displays works from local artists. They have works from sculptors, painters, photographers, and writers. Inside the lovely rooms, there is a collection of first edition books, plus limited edition books from modern and contemporary writers. There is also works of the Village International Sculpture Biennale on display. Whilst looking at the artworks, viewers can also get nice views from the windows that look out directly across the lake.
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Throughout the year, the Toyako Art Museum holds a variety of events, including special exhibitions and mini concerts. Besides the Toyako Art Museum, you can also find a nice little park across the road. The park is home to a historical landmark, being the monument of Okubo Jinnojo. Okubo Jinnojo was a statesman, born in 1849 in Shikoku. He, among other things, used his money for pioneering Hokkaido, especially in the Toya district. To get to the museum and park, you can take a bus from Toyako Onsen bus terminal bound for Toya Mizu no Eki (Toyasui Station). Get off at Toyasui station and it’s a three minute walk from there.

Flower Land Kamifurano

Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
Closed | Winter |
Contact | 0167-45-9480 https://flower-land.co.jp/ |
Notes | Flower viewing, small shop, photography spot, parking available, cafe on site |
Location / Getting There | It's a 7 minute drive from KamiFurano train station. Located between Biei and Furano. Car is needed to get there. 27 号 Nishi 5 Senkita, Kamifurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0505 |
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Hagi Park Camp Ground

Cost per night | ¥2000 large tent ¥700 small tent |
Open | April - November |
Closed | Winter |
Contact | - |
Notes | Lakeside campsite, Washing area, Toilets, Parking, Summer night time fireworks |
Location / Getting There | Located on the northern side on Lake Toya. 2 hour drive from Sapporo 100 Tōyamachi, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
Lake Toya is a beautiful lake that can be found in the southern area of Hokkaido. It is about a two and a half hour drive from Sapporo. The lake is famous for its pristine waters, local wilderness, and its volcano which lies dormant to the south of the lake. The volcano being Mt Usu. There are couple of camp grounds by the shores of Lake Toya which are fantastic spots to set up your tent. The Hagi Park Camp Ground is one of these. The camping area is large and there is plenty of space with spectacular views all overlooking the lake. The campground has toilets, parking, and sinks with running water to clean up.
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The camping ground has a small river running through it leading out to the lake. It’s here you can find some of the local residents paddling around. The swans like to feed here and it’s a good spot to get some photos! The grounds surrounding the whole lake has sculptures all through it, and at the Hagi Park Ground you can find some great pieces of art. During the warm summer months you can see (and hear) the fireworks show that is held daily across the other side of the lake. On setting up your tent at the site, friendly staff will do the rounds and you can pay the going rate for the tents. There is no office here. Hagi Park Camp Ground is the perfect spot to get away.

Farm Restaurant Azemichi Yorimichi

Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
Opening Hours | 10:30 - 15:30 |
Closed | Wednesdays |
Contact | 0167-45-3060 |
Notes | Vegetable curry & spaghetti restaurant, coffee shop, seating 36, no smoking, Japanese menu only, parking available |
Location / Getting There | Located in central Furano farmland area, 15 minute drive from Furano city. 7 minute drive from flower viewing at Tomita farm, and Naka-Furano flower park. 16 Go Higashi 6 Senkita, Kamifurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0526 |

Vegetable curry
Furano is home to delicious, fresh produce and it is here at Farm Restaurant Azemichi Yorimichi that you can find these delicious vegetables in some good home made cooking. The restaurant is located at a homestead in the middle of the Furano farming area and is accessible via car. The house is two stories and offers beautiful views over the farmlands (and the lavender fields in spring). All the dishes at Farm Restaurant Azemichi Yorimichi include local vegetables and they serve up curries, and spaghettis on their menu. The menu is only in Japanese but has pictures so you can order from those.
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Outside seating area
To order at Farm Restaurant Azemichi Yorimichi, tell the waitperson what you want and then in turn they will give you a number. When your meal is ready they will call out the number and you will need to pick it up from the kitchen on the ground floor (so keep an ear out for your number in Japanese). The menu has some fantastic vegetable curries full of fresh flavor, plus a doria (Japanese casserole dish), and vegetable based spaghetti dishes! The meals come with a small, medium, or a large rice. They also have coffee, teas (including a blueberry tea), and juices. Sit inside or enjoy outside seating in their small garden.