Hokkaido Isn't Just Fun in Winter, Summer Is Also Wonderful: Seven Stunning Summer Flower Fields
As the scorching summer approaches, the weather is so muggy that I feel I could evaporate on the spot. I just want to jump on a plane and escape to some cool place for a holiday! Hokkaido, with its vast lands and sparse population, is definitely the top choice for a summer vacation. Pleasant climate, super wide-angle views, lavenders, sunflowers, and other flowers are blooming one after another, stretching into endless flower fields. My mind has already flown to Hokkaido in summer, ready to run barefoot in the flower fields in a skirt! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we can't go abroad, so let's first take a look at our introduction to prepare for future trips!
▋Mid-July to Early August: The Main Star of Hokkaido Summer – Lavender
Speaking of the leading role of Hokkaido summer, it's undoubtedly lavender. Centered around Biei and Furano in central Hokkaido, lavender fields with a light fragrance can be seen all over Hokkaido. While visiting the flower fields, don't forget to try Hokkaido's most famous lavender ice cream. The purple ice cream has a faint lavender aroma, making you feel intoxicated. Head to Hokkaido to romance the whole summer!
【Furano】 Farm Tomita
Located in Furano, Farm Tomita can be said to be the most famous lavender garden in all of Japan. Besides lavender, there are also flower fields of various colors. During the lavender season, you can take the summer-limited lavender train Norokko-go, which runs from Furano to the "Lavender Field Station" next to Farm Tomita. With the wide-open windows, you can enjoy the beautiful rural scenery of Furano, and the faint floral and natural fragrances blow in with the wind. It can be said to be a summer-exclusive poem of Hokkaido.
Furano Farm Tomita Address: Kita 15-go, Kisen Kita, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido
Access: Take the JR Furano Biei Norokko-go to "Lavender Field Station" and walk about 8 minutes.
Hours: July, August 8:30 to 18:00; May, June, September 8:30 to 17:00; April, October, November 9:00 to 16:30; December to March 9:30 to 16:30
Admission: Free
【Furano】 Hinode Park
Furano's Hinode Park has been selected as one of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Kamifurano." It is the birthplace of lavender in Japan. Lavender is planted over a large area along the slopes, forming purple waves in summer. Besides lavender, the terrain offers a super wide-angle view of the undulating hills of Furano. On clear days, you can even see the distant Tokachi mountain range. Although it is not accessible by public transportation, if you are driving, don't miss this place!
Furano Hinode Park Address: Higashi 1-sen Kita 27-go, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hinode Park
Access: About 15 minutes' walk (1.5 km) from JR Kamifurano Station
Hours: April 25 to October 25, open 24 hours
【Sapporo】 Hitsujigaoka
At Hitsujigaoka, the statue pointing to Sapporo city, with the grassland and blue sky, has long become one of Hokkaido's most iconic sceneries. But you may not know that there is also a lavender field here in summer. If you don't have a long stay in Hokkaido and don't want to miss the blooming season, we recommend Hitsujigaoka, which can be reached by a single bus from Sapporo Station!
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Address: 1-banchi, Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: Take a bus from Fukuzumi Station on the Tozai Subway Line (about 10 minutes)
Hours: May, June 8:30 to 18:00; July, August 8:30 to 19:00; September 8:30 to 18:00; October to April 9:00 to 17:00
▋Mid-July to Late August: Sunflowers
【Asahikawa】 Kitataki Sunflower Village
Each year in July, 1.5 million sunflowers bloom on the hills of Kitataki Town in Asahikawa. The sunflower field contains over thirty different varieties of sunflowers in various shapes and colors, covering an area as large as five Tokyo Domes! Every sunflower faces the sun with spirit, and the endless yellow sea stands out strikingly in the field.
Asahikawa Kitataki Sunflower Village Address: Aza Wa 11-1, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido
Access: Take a bus from Asahikawa Station to Hokuryu Chugakko-mae (about 1.5 hours)
Hours: The 2020 Sunflower Festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admission: Free
▋Spring to Autumn: Floral Carpets on the Fields
【Biei】 Shikisai no Oka
One of Hokkaido's most iconic sceneries, Shikisai no Oka appears on countless postcards. In each season, meticulously arranged flowers cover the hill like a carpet, resembling striped carpets undulating with the terrain. Whether viewed from afar or up close, you will marvel at the spectacular beauty of Shikisai no Oka. There is also a paid animal area featuring funny-looking alpacas, suitable for families with children.
Shikisai no Oka Address: Dai-san, Shinsei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Access: It is recommended to go by car, or from JR Furano Line "Bibaushi Station" walk about 25 minutes.
Hours: April, May, October 9:00 to 17:00; June to September 8:30 to 18:00; December to February 9:00 to 16:00; March, November 9:00 to 16:30
Admission: Free
【Biei】 Zerubu no Oka & Atomu no Oka
Closer to Biei Station, reachable by bicycle, Zerubu no Oka & Atomu no Oka is a small but beautiful garden, perfect as the first stop of a flower field trip. With concentric circular flower hills, a full field of sunflowers, and an observation deck overlooking the beautiful Biei hills, the essence of Hokkaido summer is all here.
Zerubu no Oka & Atomu no Oka Address: Dai-san, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Access: 32 minutes' walk from Biei Station
Hours: Open year-round
Admission: Free
【Abashiri】 Wakka Native Garden
Located beside Lake Saroma, the largest lake in Hokkaido, Wakka Native Garden may have the name "garden," but it is not the orderly, well-arranged flowerbed you might imagine. Instead, small coastal plants grow somewhat rebelliously among the reeds by the lake, spreading stubbornly along the shore into a vast, free-spirited area of colorful flowers. The area is very large, with trails up to 10 kilometers long. Here you can take a horse-drawn carriage, ride a bicycle, or just sit by the lake and enjoy free-spirited Hokkaido time.
Wakka Native Garden Address: 639-1 Aza Tokoro, Tokoro-cho, Kitami-shi, Hokkaido
Access: Inconvenient by public transport, recommended to drive.
Hours: Open year-round
Bloom period: Late April to late September
Admission: Free
In fact, summer in Hokkaido is full of surprises. Often around a corner, you'll encounter a large expanse of wildflowers in full bloom or carefully planted floral carpets. The magnificent natural scenery of summer is incredibly healing. If you haven't decided on a summer retreat, book your tickets and head north!
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