| Opening Hours | 7:00 - 21:00 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 011-578-3361 http://www.mit-ueki.com/ishiyama_shisetu.html |
| Notes | Autumn is best time, parking available for 46 cars, walking paths, sculptures, restrooms on site, car needed, wheelchair access, tennis courts, gateball field, |
| Location / Getting There | The park is a 25 minute drive south from Sapporo. On the east side of Toyohira, take route 453 and it's on the right after crossing over the overhead bridge. Take the Chuo Bus Karumanuma Line (Shin-101) or Takino Line (Shin-102) from the Subway Namboku Line "Makomanai Station" and get off at "Ishiyama Higashi 3-chome". 4 minutes on foot 78 Ishiyama, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0849 |
Ishiyama Green Space is a fantastic area to walk around, explore and relax. It has a real unearthly feel to it as the park is surrounded by sheer, white rock topped with overhanging trees. There are also beautiful and interesting sculptures placed around the park and are built into the landscape, adding to the mystique and beauty. The park was originally a soft rock mining site and in 1993 it was transformed into its current look. This park is definitely a must see during the autumn as the changing leaves add a vibrant color in contrast to the white cliffs!
The park is split into two sections with a small road dissecting the space. There is parking on both sides. The northern park has a lookout point which offers great views down the valley that leads to Jozankei. It is also on this side you can find a play area for the kids, plus there are tennis courts that can be rented out for ¥620 per hour. There is also a gateball (a kind of croquet style game) field here. The southern section of Ishiyama Green Space has paths and sculptures that wind around by ten meter white rock cliffs. This space has areas to sit, to walk around and explore this amazing space.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥800 - ¥1400 |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 20:00 |
| Closed | Monday |
| Contact | 011-522-5533 http://nafd.co/index.html |
| Notes | Cafe, seating 18, English menu available, parking for 4, car needed to get there or taxi, inside & outside seating |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the hills of west Sapporo, near Asahiyama park. It's a 10 minute drive from Maruyama subway station. 〒064-0808 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 8 Jonishi, 3−10 |
In the hills of west Sapporo, there are some nice little cafes offering views over Sapporo. Nollys Botanical Cafe is one of these coffee shops. It is a nice comfortable cafe with nice views through its large windows. It is on the second floor above a flower and crafts store. Nollys also serves as a shop selling up art & crafts, garden goods, and flower products called Nollys/Araza. It is an especially nice cafe to visit in the spring and summer time with its outdoor seating. It also makes for the perfect stop in, especially if you have been to the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens which are around the other side of Asahiyama Park.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The menu is in English as well as Japanese, making it easy to order for those traveling. They have various coffees to choose (both ice and hot) which you can enjoy on their own or with one of the dishes from the food menu. They have half a dozen dishes which include a spicy baked curry, a home made quiche, and a pasta lunch. These lunches can come in a set, and for an extra ¥400 you can get drink plus a dessert. These delicious dishes are served with a soup or a salad. Nollys is a great place to have a coffee and to do a little shopping for some nicely designed handmade crafts.
| Admission | Free ¥500 parking |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Closed | Beginning of July to the end of July |
| Contact | 011-622-5167 |
| Notes | Photography spot, sightseeing spot, parking available, taxi ride to site needed or own transport |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the western hills overlooking Sapporo. It is a 15 minute drive from Maruyama subway station past the zoo. Hiring a taxi is an alternative option, there is a taxi stand at the gardens. 471-110 Bankei, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0945 |
To see beautiful fields of lavender with stunning views, you don’t need to travel all the way to Furano. Sapporo has a secret spot where you can enjoy these beautiful lavender fields, and its right on the edge of town! If you only have a couple of days in Sapporo you can simply take a quick subway ride and then take a taxi to the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens. The gardens were created in 1987. Originally, there were only 120 lavender plants. This number has now grown to an impressive 5,000. It is a great place to wander around and get some stunning photos.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Not only do the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens have beautiful flowers, but from the top of the hills here, you can get some sweeping views over the city of Sapporo. On the crest of the hill there is a large tree which is the centre piece of the gardens and creates a beautiful photography spot, so make sure you bring your camera! For ¥500 you can cut and take some lavender home. Why not take some of fragrance home or give it as a gift. There are also some lavender products and postcards to buy from a small store located in the gardens. And it being summer, there is a an ice cream shop set up.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Grounds open all day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-52-2115 (Travel Tourism) |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, lavender blooms from late June to end of July |
| Location / Getting There |
The Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields are found on the shores of Kanayama Lake and are a great spot to get some good photos, and enjoy the gardens that have been made there. The lavender fields are in full bloom from the end of June and can be viewed until early August. Why not stop in while driving from Sapporo to Furano. The lavender gardens are nice in a beautiful area, and unlike other flower gardens in central Furano, they are not crowded and there is a lot of space to wander around at your leisure! What also makes these gardens unique, they overlook Kanayama Lake and have the mountains in the background making for the perfect backdrop.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
With plenty of parking, and just being right off route 465, the Lavender Fields are an easy spot to visit. Just make sure to bring the camera! There are a few benches plus a covered table so you can take a seat and enjoy the scenic views. It makes the perfect spot to have some lunch or a picnic. Behind the lavender fields on the other side of the road, there is the Kodakara Shrine. This quaint shrine is surrounded by forest. Though beware, the shrine is home to a huge ants nest and the ground is crawling with ants. So while sightseeing, you will have to move quick! The lavender fields are a few minutes walk away from Kanayamakohan Camping Ground so if you have the time, why not stay the night and relax.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-22-1001 |
| Notes | Shops, restaurants, souvenir stores, local produce store, rest area, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the central town of Furano. It's an 8 minute walk from Furano station. 13-1 Saiwaicho, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0024 |
Furano Marche is a small plaza that is home to twenty different shops, eateries and restaurants. Furano Marche serves as a popular tourist spot where you can pick up some great souvenirs, buy some local produce to take home to the kitchen, or take a rest and enjoy a quick feed on some local popular fare. It is conveniently located in the centre of the small town of Furano, and is a stones throw away from Furano station, and Furano shrine. If you are driving in, there is ample parking to be found. Furano marche makes a great spot to include on your travels in the area.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Furano Marche is separated into two different sections, Furano Marche 1 and Furano March 2. They are located on two parallel blocks separated by a small road. Furano Marche 1 has an open plaza in the centre, whereas Marche 2 is a larger building complex. Furano Marche 1 includes a mouth watering burger shop, a cafe, a fresh bread store, a takoyaki (fried octopus snack) shop, a fruit juice counter, a local produce store and souvenir store. The larger building of Marche 2 has a flower store, local souvenir store, a rice ball eatery to take out, a local restaurant, a grocery store, a ramen restaurant, and an ice-sundae eatery.
| 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.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
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”.
One way ¥ 3,940
One way ¥ 5,470
