| 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”.
One way ¥ 3,940
One way ¥ 5,470
| Pricing Guide | ¥1420 adults ¥710 children ¥1280 adults ¥640 children (groups of 15 or more) Extra ¥200 for firework viewing tour |
| Operating Hours | 8:30 - 16:30 Ferry leaves every 30 minutes 9:00 - 16:00 (during the winter) |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 0142-75-2137 http://www.toyakokisen.com/price/price01.html |
| Notes | Last cruise from Nakanoshima is at 15:00, free parking available (large-size vehicles allowed), firework tour unavailable in winter |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, between the lake and the hotels. Found at Funsui Hiroba Fountain Square. 049-5721 Hokkaido, Abuta-gun, Toyako, Tōyakoonsen, Route 2 |
Local ferry
In the centre of Lake Toya , there is a large island called Nakanoshima. This beautiful area can be accessed via the local ferry that leaves from the southern shore of the Toyako Onsen district. The ferry leaves the port every thirty minutes. The last ferry to leave from the island of Nakanoshima is at 15:00, so don’t miss it! Once on the island you are free to walk around and follow the well kept trails. The forest here is a beautiful escape, and is a popular spot to take in the greenery.
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One of the small swan boats for hire
For those who don’t want to visit the central island in Lake Toya, there is a small cruise package available. The cruise goes around Nakanoshima and takes fifty minutes (an additional thirty minutes if passengers are alighting at the island). There is a summer cruise and a winter cruise, both offering beautiful views. The summer cruise operates slightly longer than the winter schedule. From April 28th to October 31st there is a special fireworks cruise. The departure time is at approximately at 20:30 and from the boat you can enjoy the spectacular firework display that lights up the lake.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing 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.
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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.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot , parking available, short walking trail |
| Location / Getting There | 12 minute drive from Toyako Onsen on the southern edge of Lake Toya Takinomachi, Machi Sobetsu, Usu District, Hokkaido 052-0101 |
The path up past the shrine.
Sobetsu Waterfall can be found on the southern edge of Lake Toya. It is a beautiful waterfall, where you can take a nice walk to its base. You can get some great photos and experience the waterfall up close. To get to the waterfall you need to follow the road down on route 2 keeping Sobetsu river on your left (coming from Toyako Onsen). At the bottom of the hill, make a U-turn and cross over the river and follow the small road keeping the river on your left. There will be parking on the left hand side. Once parked, simply follow the winding path until you reach the waterfall.
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The flowing stream
The walk to the waterfall is a nice stroll and it takes about 8 minutes to get there. On the way you can enjoy the flowing stream and the surrounding trees creating a picturesque scene. The path crosses over the river twice over small bridges. On the way to the falls you can also find a small Buddhist Shrine on the left. With the falls in the background, this small shrine is also a good spot to get some photos. The path reaches a small wooden viewing platform about 10 metres from the falls. This wooden platform can get slippery so make sure you hold on to the rail. Sobetsu Waterfall is a beautiful spot to visit.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Contact | 014-275-3088 |
| Notes | Access from Smile Garden Cafe |
| Location / Getting There | Southern edge of Lake Toya. Located in central Toya Onsen district. 35-17 Tōyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
Cadillac Fleetwood V12
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The 1987 Ferrari Testarossa
The car gallery is free to get in. Finding your way in may seem tricky as there is no obvious entrance. To actually get into the showroom you will need to enter the large white building next door, and head into the Smile Garden Cafe. The staff here will direct you to the entrance which is on the left hand side at the back. Once in, you are free to wander around and take a look at automobiles here. You can see a 1974 Morgan, a lovely 1972 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1965 Triumph TR series, a Porsche 356, the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, and a 1961 Mercedes Benz to name a few.
| Admission | Free |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-511-0262 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo, 2 minute walk from Hosuisusukino subway station. 6 minute walk from Susukino & Nakajima park subway station. 1-chōme-2 Minami 6 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806 |
Nice little garden inside the walls
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Beautiful Japanese style garden
The temple of Shinzenko has over a hundred years of history, being built in 1884. It is here, the teaching of the jodo sect focuses on the “ritual recitation of the Nembutsu” (meaning the follower is opening themselves up to light and salvation). Followers believe this recitation benefits not just the speaker, but the entire world as well. There are three floors inside the temple itself and include up to one thousand burial urns. Throughout the year, the temple has special Buddhist ceremonies on their calendar. Being in the entertainment district, the temple is not a far walk from the Susukino and Nakajima Koen subway stations making it an easy place to access.
