Central Hokkaido's farm country: in July the lavender at Farm Tomita and the striped flower beds of Shikisai-no-oka in Biei are in bloom, and the rolling fields of the Patchwork and Panorama roads are at their greenest. Biei's Blue Pond is unreal turquoise in summer and lit up under snow in winter, when Furano is a ski resort. Public transport is thin away from the stations: a hire car or a day tour works best.
Highlights
- Farm Tomita's lavender (early to late July)
- Shikisai-no-oka flower stripes
- Biei's Blue Pond
- Shirahige Falls
- Patchwork and Panorama roads
- Furano melon and cheese
- Powder skiing at Furano (winter)
- Asahiyama Zoo's penguin walk (winter)
Things to do
- Farm Tomita lavender fieldsJun–SepMorning · 2h
- Shikisai-no-oka flower hillsJun–SepAfternoon · 2h
- Blue Pond & Shirahige FallsMorning · 2h 30m
- Patchwork Road drive or cycleAfternoon · 3h
- Furano Cheese Factory & Furano MarcheAfternoon · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: July – August (lavender); December – March (snow)
Heads up
Golden Week Crowds (29 April – 5 May)
Golden Week is a run of national holidays from 29 April to 5 May: shinkansen and domestic flights sell out, hotels raise prices, and sights are packed. Book transport and rooms early, or plan around those dates.
Heads up
Obon Holiday Rush (mid-August)
Around 13–16 August Japan travels home for Obon: trains and flights are full (Nozomi trains ran reserved seats only at Obon 2026), and resort hotels charge peak rates. Reserve seats for every long journey that week.
Heads up
Hokkaido Snow and Cold
December to March is snowy and -5 to -15 °C in Hokkaido. Flights from New Chitose and trains are delayed or cancelled in storms a few times each winter, so keep a spare half-day before a flight home. Pack a warm coat, gloves and shoes with grip; drive only with winter experience.
Heads up
Furano Flowers Out of Season
The lavender and flower fields bloom from June to September, peaking in July; from October to May the fields are bare or under snow (December to March brings skiing and the snow-lit Blue Pond instead).
- Autumn leaves (koyo) — The maples turn red from late September in Hokkaido, through October in Nikko and the Alps, to mid-November to early December in Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo. Kyoto's temples open at night with lit-up gardens; trains, buses and hotels are as full as in cherry-blossom season.
- Lavender season, Furano — The lavender at Farm Tomita and the flower fields of Biei peak in early to mid-July. Furano's rooms are dear and full that month; the Furano Lavender Express runs from Sapporo in summer.
- Hokkaido ski season — Powder snow from December to March, best in January and February. Niseko's lodging and lift passes peak over Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year; book by summer.