Toyako Art Museum & Park

洞爺湖芸術館
Admission¥300 adults
¥200 high school students
¥100 children
Free for Toyako townspeople
Opening Hours10:30 - 16:30
ClosedMondays
November to March
Contact0142-87-2525
NotesLocal 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. 

 

 

[the_ad id=”4264″]

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

フラワーランドかみふらの
AdmissionFree
Opening Hours9:00 - 17:00
ClosedWinter
Contact0167-45-9480
https://flower-land.co.jp/
NotesFlower 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

Furano, Naka-Furano and Kamifurano really comes alive during the warmer months with beautiful flowers and delicious food. In Kamifurano you can find Flower Land, which has fantastic views over the fields of flowers with Kamifurano as the backdrop! It is here you can get some great photos on your trip.  Entry is free, with a large parking area for cars and tour buses. Inside the large barn, you can find souvenirs, small eatery, locally produced goods, and local produce. Here you can find fresh asparagus, high grade Furano melon, delicious corn, steamed potatoes, and onions, depending on the season.

[the_ad id=”4264″]

On the other side of the souvenir and eatery barn, the fields of flowers await you! There are plenty of paths to walk around and take in the sights. The fields overlook the valley of Kamifurano making for great views. For those who want to take a more leisurely approach, there is a popular tractor bus that goes around the grounds. The journey takes ten minutes, and costs ¥500 for adults, and ¥300 for children. To get to Flower Land, take the 237 National Highway. From Asahikawa or Furano, it’s a thirty minute drive, From Chitose airport or Sapporo, it takes about two and a half hours. Flower land is one of many great spots to take in the natural beauty of the Furano districts. 

Shikisai no Oka

四季彩の丘
AdmissionFree (¥200 donation is preferred)
Opening Hours9:00 - 17:00
ClosedWinter
Contact0166-95-2758
https://www.shikisainooka.jp//
NotesFlower viewing, small shop, photography spot, parking, alpaca farm inside, buggy rentals available
Location /
Getting There
It's a 12 minute drive from Biei station or a 30 minute drive from Furano train station
〒071-0473 Hokkaido, Kamikawa District, Biei, Shinsei, 第3

Beautiful

Shikisai no Oka (known as Shikisai Hill in English) is famous for its sweeping vistas and beautiful flower arrangements covering the hills on this huge expanse of land. Shikisai is open all year and is a great place to visit not only in the summer months but also during the winter. The flowers here are spectacular and a great place to get some photos.  Throughout the year, there are different kinds of flowers that are in full bloom. In June, the poppies are out. In July (which is a great time to go), you can see nadeshiko, salvia, marigold, and stunning fields of sunflowers. September is best time for salvia and dahlia. 

 

 

[the_ad id=”4264″]

Flowers in July

To get round the fifteen hectares of these panoramic gardens, there are walking paths, but there are other options. You can take the popular tractor bus ride around the fields at a cost of ¥300 for children and ¥500 for adults. Alternatively, you can drive yourself around with a buggy ¥500 per person, or a four person cart hire which costs ¥2000 per fifteen minutes. Shikisai no Oka is also open during the winter from early December to early April. Here you can go on a fun snowmobile ride or tour, plus you can rent out sleds, or tubes and enjoy the slopes! Finally, Shikisai no Oka is also home to an alpaca farm. For ¥500 you can go in and feed and meet the dozen alpacas that make their home here.  

Snowmobile rides¥1000 for 1km ride
¥5100 for 30 minute course
Snowmobile tour 5km
(30 minutes)
¥7200
Snowmobile tour 10km
(1 hour)
¥18,000 one person
¥14,400 two people
¥12,000 three people
Snowmobile tour 20km
(2 hours)
¥30,000 one person
¥24,000 two people
¥21,600 three people
Snowmobile tour 30 - 40km
(2.5 hours)
¥42,000 one person
¥38,400 two people
¥33,600 three people

Kamifurano View

深山峠(かみふらの八景
AdmissionFree
Opening HoursOpen 24 hours
Contact-
NotesSightseeing spot , parking available, photography spot
Location /
Getting There
12 minute drive from Kamifurano station on route 237
34 Go Nishi 9 Senkita, Kamifurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0509

Photo spot and information

The districts of Furano can be divided into three areas, Furano, Nakafurano, and Kamifurano. These areas are made up of beautiful farmlands, with mountain ranges on either side. It is in the northern district of Kamifurano, you can find a great photo spot that overlooks the valley with the Tokachidake mountain range in the background. This area can be found along route 237 on the right hand side. It is only a couple of minutes past a large ferris wheel and the Trick Art Museum. The ferris wheel and Trick Art Museum are also popular tourist attractions. There are also a couple of restaurants and coffee shops nearby. 

 

[the_ad id=”4264″]

Lavender fields

The lookout area has a wooden viewing platform and an information booth that offers local information to tourists. The view is exceptionally beautiful during the summer months from May to July as this is when the lavender is in full bloom. This sightseeing spot overlooks a large lavender field. This sightseeing spot is easily accessible on National Route 237, which runs from Kamifurano to Biei. This road is about eight kilometres from JR Kamifurano Station. If you get on the “Rapid Lavender” bus that connects Furano and Asahikawa, you can get off at the “Fukayama Pass” stop in front of you. 

Matsumae Park

松前城 松前城資料館

AdmissionFree admission
Opening HoursAll day
Closed-
Contact0139-42-2275
NotesParking available 175 cars, Toilets, Wheelchair access & toilets.
Matsumae Sakura Festival (late April-mid May)
Matsumae Ajisa Festival (early August)
Location /
Getting There
6 hour drive from Sapporo or 2 hour bus ride from Hakadote, get off at "Matsujo Bus Stop", 7 minutes on foot.
Matsujo, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 049-1511

 

松前城 松前城資料館

The extensive Matsumae Park

Mastumae Park is huge expanse of land that has a lot to see in it! The park itself is arguably most famous for its cherry blossoms that are in full bloom from late April to late May. The cherry blossom forest has 10,000 cherry trees consisting of 250 kinds of different cherry blossoms. It is the biggest collection of cherry blossoms in Hokkaido! Not only does the park hold these beautiful trees, but also there are many historical buildings to walk around. There is Matsumae Castle, Ryuun-in, the Matsumae Kashiwa Mansion, the Matsumae Lord Cemetery, plus around a dozen shrines and temples.


[the_ad id=”4264″]


松前

The path running through the park

Besides the cherry blossoms the park has other flowers that bloom throughout the summer and spring. Camellias come out from April to May, dandelions & azaleas in mid-May. In early June, wisterias are in bloom, and from July you can see hydrangeas & roses in the park. There is a path that runs through all the way up to a second park at the back and to the base of the mountains. It is well worth a walk up as at the top you can enjoy great views looking over the whole of Matsumae Park and the Strait of Tsugaru. There are two festivals held in Matsumae park, the first is the Matsumae Sakura Festival which is held from late April to mid May. The second is the Matsumae Ajisa Festival in early August.



Choei Lavender Farm & Nakafurano Flower Park

AdmissionFree
Opening Hours9:00 - 17:00
June to mid August
ClosedWinter
Contact0167-44-4488
NotesBest viewing times from July to early August
Restaurant on site, Kirara
Toilets on site
Free parking
Wi-fi
Shops - lavender goods, light snacks, soft creams
Location /
Getting There
13 minute drive from Furano station
12 minute walk from Lavender Farm station. JR line
2-1 Miyamachi, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0753


 


Stunning views

There are plenty of beautiful flower viewing areas in the Nakafurano area, and the Choei Lavender Farm and the Flower Park are no exception. The Choei Lavender Farm is a hill covered in a kaleidoscope of color, as the summer flowers start to bloom, including four kinds of lavender, sunflower, marigold and salvia. The hill also serves as a playground for skiers and snowboarders during the cold winters. There is a single-chair lift ride to the top of the hill offering sweeping views of the carpet of flowers and also down over the Furano valley and the Tokachi mountain range. This hillside is also the venue of the Nakafurano Lavender Festival, the town’s biggest event in mid July. There is parking at the bottom of the fields of flowers plus small stalls selling souvenirs and delicious ice-cream for those warm sunny days.


Ski lift prices
Cost per person¥400 adults
¥200 children
Opening Hours9:00 - 17:00
June 23rd to August 31st
Closed-
NotesNo pets allowed



[the_ad id=”4264″]


Flower park

Directly adjacent to the Choei Lavender Farm, is the Nakafurano Flower Park. The park is a large grass area with walkways and a viewing platform that has nice sights over the park as well as the Choei Lavender Farm. There are some benches to rest your feet and take in the smells and sun during the summer, or just to take a stroll. The flower park has a fountain and you will also find a nice curry restaurant here. The restaurant, Kirara, serves up delicious lunches. Take your pick of vegetable, beef, or chicken curries. They also have sushi available. Perfect meal for a perfect day out!




Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)
¥600 - ¥1200
Opening Hours10:00 - 16:00
Contact0167-44-4488
Closed-
NotesNon smoking