Kamikawajinga Shrine Festival

When: July 20 – 22
Admission: Free
Where: Between 3-jo-dori 13-chome & 3-jo-dori 20-chome, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
Description: Portable shrines and musical groups parade throughout the city and down the streets of Hokkaido’s second largest city. Food, drink and game stalls line the main street, 3-jo-dori, for what seems like endless blocks. This area is historically important to Asahikawa and is also the location of one of the city’s last remaining fish and produce markets.

Yomiuri Firework Festival

When: July 25
Admission: Free
Where: Tokiwa Park, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Description: Spend an enjoyable evening at one of Japan’s most beautiful parks while watching an amazing firework display from Ishikarigawa River, Hokkaido’s longest river.

Asahikawa Summer Festival (Taisetsu 3-6 Festival)

When: July 31 ~ August 2
Admission: Free
Where: City centre 3-jo-dori 6-chome vicinity, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
Description: One of Hokkaido’s largest festivals featuring firework displays in Tokiwa Park, Omikoshi Portable Shrine Parades down Kaimono Koen Shopping Street, and outdoor discos in the city centre. Countless food and beverage stalls line the streets of the downtown core and beer gardens are abundant. Feels as though all of Asahikawa’s 360,000 citizens come out for this festival, making it an event not to be missed.

Mt. Nishi-dake Hiking Season Opening Ceremony and Climb

When: 7:00 a.m. Saturday, June 7
Cost: Adults 1,500Yen, Children 800Yen (Discounted rate for Furano Ropeway)
Where: New Furano Prince Hotel Furano Ropeway, Furano, Hokkaido
Description: The Furano Ropeway, Japan’s fastest moving cable car, commences its summer hiking and sightseeing season on this day. Following a traditional Shinto blessing of the mountain, participants ride the Furano Ropeway to the top of Furano’s famous ski field. From here, climbers will ascend Mt. Nishi-dake through beautiful trails and stop at the peak for lunch before climbing back down to the base of the mountain by 2:00 p.m.

Mt. Furano-dake and Genshi no Hara Hiking Season Opening Ceremony and Climb

When: 6:00 a.m. Sunday, June 15
Cost: Adults 1,500Yen, Children 800Yen (includes return trip bus fare from JR Furano Station)
Where: JR Furano Station, Furano, Hokkaido
Description: Hikers gather early in the morning at JR Furano Station where a shuttle bus delivers them to the trailhead of Mt. Furano-dake. After the traditional Japanese mountain opening ceremony at 7:00am, hikers will have the choice of hiking three different trails with experienced members of the local Alpine Club. Beginner hikers, and those looking to proceed at a leisurely pace, generally choose an hour and a half hike through the woods up to Henshi no Hara area, or a two and a half hour hike past beautiful waterfalls to the same point. After enjoying the surroundings and having lunch, hikers make their way back to the base for the 1:30 p.m. bus back to JR Furano Station. More experienced hikers can continue on from Hensi no Hara up to the 1912m peak of Mt. Furano-dake. From there, they will hike down to Mt. Tokachi-dake Hot Springs where they can sooth their sore muscles in the amazing Ryounkaku Hot Springs free of charge. At 4:00 p.m., a shuttle bus will pick up the hikers and take them back to JR Furano Station.

Point Green Outdoor Concert

When: June 28~29
Admission: 5,000Yen ~ 6,000Yen
Where: Kitanomine Ski Area, Furano, Hokkaido
Description: In 2006, a national survey found Furano to be the most environmentally friendly city in Japan and thus it was chosen to host the annual Point Green music festival. New trees are planted in Furano each year in conjunction with the festival bringing Furano closer to carbon-neutrality. Participation in this festival scores a point for the world in the battle against climate change. Headline artists include the Gospellers, Ayaka Hirahara, Depapepe, and Shoko Sawada. For tickets,

contact the Furano Tourism Association at james@furanotourism.com

Furano Bellybutton Festival

When: July 28 ~ 29
Admission: Free (includes free Bellybutton T-shirt, fruit, and beer)
Where: Downtown Furano, Hokkaido
Description: The rather curious tradition of the Hokkaido Bellybutton Dance (Heso Odori) began about thirty-five years ago. It was decided that a town festival was needed, in order to unify and energize Furano's people, who are spread over a large area. Inspired by Furano's location in the very middle of Hokkaido, the festival organizers came up with the idea of a dance featuring the bellybutton. This dance was not exactly an immediate hit. In the first official Heso Matsuri, only 11 people joined the dance. However, over the years, Heso Matsuri has become one of the most famous summer festivals in Hokkaido, drawing people from around Japan and the world. Last year, over 5,000 people participated in the two-day dance, with tens of thousands more gathering to watch. Humor is a key reason for the festival's success. Dancers make their “heso” (bellybutton) into a face, using paint, special costumes, and props. There are many innovative variations to the simple, energetic Heso Odori (Bellybutton Dance). Competition is intense as dancers compete for prizes and glory in various categories. All things have a centre; for a person, this is the bellybutton. Hokkaido's bellybutton lies in Furano. Join us for this unique, humorous and unforgettable spectacle. The Furano Tourism Association will put together an international team allowing inbound tourists to participate in the unique festival for free. Brave participants will have their chests painted while those of a shyer nature can simply wear a bellybutton festival t-shirt while parading through the streets together.To register yourself on the international team,

contact the Furano Tourism Association at james@furanotourism.com

Furano Creator’s Market

When: August 9 ~ 10
Admission: Free
Where: Furano Lifelong Learning Centre, Furano, Hokkaido
Description: Furano’s unique culture that encourages expression through various art forms makes the town a magnet for Japanese artisans. Each year, artists from around Hokkaido flock to this event to display and sell their creations. The Furano Creator’s Market provides the perfect chance for travellers to wander around and see all these creations as well as sample locally produced and freshly prepared food and drinks.

Furano Wine and Grape Festival

When: September 21
Admission: Free
Where: JR Furano Station, Furano, Hokkaido
Description: This festival is for lovers of both the alcoholic version and the non-alcoholic version of the juice produced from grapes and is one of the local events people look forward to each year. This exciting festival presents an ideal chance to interact with locals as the drinks are flowing and barbecues are smoking all at a beautiful time of year when Furano is alive with colourful autumn leaves. Not only can guests sample and buy locally produced wine and grape juice made with Furano grown grapes, but this is also the time of year when local produce is being harvested and you can enjoy seasonal delights such as fresh corn on the cob, pumpkin dumplings, and cheese pancakes. The event is a lively one with barefoot grape stomping, wine barrel races, and pumpkin weight guessing contests. Children remain entertained by watching the array of shows and demonstrations or by making crafts.

Kamifurano Lavender and Firework Festival

When: July 27
Admission: Free
Where: Hinode Park, Kamifurano, Hokkaido
Description: This is one of the largest festivals of the year in Kamifurano. Thousands of people gather around the flower and lavender farms to watch the fireworks and to see the lavender in full bloom. Food, drink, and activity stalls are located around the festival site and live musical performances run throughout the day providing fun for the whole family. The flower farms and festivals are easily accessed using local transportation from Furano.

Lavender Festival

When: July 20
Admission: Free
Where: Mt. Hokusei Ski Area Lavender Park, Nakafurano, Hokkaido
Description: Nakafurano hosts one of the biggest lavender festivals of the flower season when the lavender and flowers at their most beautiful state. The farms come alive with stalls and children’s entertainment shows making this the perfect time to visit Furano and experience the festivals. Simple and affordable access to and from the festival / flower farms is available.

• Kamui Ski Links Bus Tour

• Private Bus Tour to Asahi-dake

• Private Bus Tour to Tomamu Ski Resort

• Bus fare & Time table

• Japan’s Most Northern Zoo

• Shuttle Bus Connecting Asahikawa City Area Hotels, Asahikawa Airport, and Kamui Ski Links

• Highland Furano Hot Spring Taxi Service

• Furano La Terre Banka no Yu

• Hot Spring Bus Tour (Wed., Fri., Sun.)

• North Country
  Reservations both by phone and online are accepted.
  Tel: +81-167-23-6565 (International call) 0167-23-6565 (Domestic call)
  www.northcountryinnfurano.com
  
  
• Alpine Visitor Centre
  
  Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  Tel: +81-167-22-1311 (International call) 0167-22-1311 (Domestic call)
  Fax: +81-167-23-4385 (International call) 0167-23-4385 (Domestic call)
  Reservations are accepted at the Outdoor Activity Centre located three minutes from the Gondola Station in the Kitanomine Zone.

• Furano Information Centre
  (1st floor of the Gondola Station in the Kitanomine Zone)
  
  Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  Tel: +81-167-23-3388 (International call) 0167-23-3388 (Domestic call)
  Fax: +81-167-39-1222 (International call) 0167-39-1222 (Domestic call)

Kamui Ski Links Bus Tour
(Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)

• Round-trip fare 2,500Yen per person (One-way fareYen 1,500)
• A five-day lift pass from Furano Ski Ground allows skiers free access to the Kamui Ski Links lifts.
  Depart Furano 8 a.m. ⇒ Arrive Kamui Ski Links 9:15 a.m.
  Depart Kamui Ski Links 3 p.m. ⇒ Arrive Furano 4:15 p.m.

Private Bus Tour to Asahi-dake

• 9,000Yen per person (price includes round-trip bus fare and ropeway ticket)
• Ropeway service may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

Private Bus Tour to Tomamu

• 9,000Yen per person (price includes round-trip bus fare and Tomamu Ski Ground lift ticket)

Furano Ski Ground Kitanomine Zone

Ski hosts are dedicated to guiding first time visitors around the Furano Ski Ground. Come by the Ski Host Reservation Desk by 10 a.m. to spend the morning with a ski host skiing runs that are appropriate for your level. Feel free to visit us to learn more about the ski facilities, the sounding areas, and to acquire local information in English.

*For those who wish to ski on the New Furano Prince Hotel side with a ski host, please make a reservation in advance.

New Furano Prince Hotel – Furano Ski Ground (Kitanomine Zone / Hotels) – Downtown Furano
Evening Shuttle Bus

For passengers who wish to get off the bus partway through the trip, please inform the driver. There are no bus fare refunds.

• The bus will only stop at bus stops where reservations have been made.
• Poor weather conditions may cause late arrivals or trip cancellations.
• Tour conductors / guides will not accompany the bus tour.

Please book and pay for bus tours at the hotel front desk by the day prior to the tour.
Customers who are not staying at one of the participating hotels may also make bus tour reservations.
(Hotels)
New Furano Prince Hotel   Tel. 0167-22-111
Furano Prince Hotel   Tel. 0167-22-1111
Hotel Naturwald Tel. 0167-22-1211
Hotel Bell Hills Tel. 0167-22-5200

Getting to Hot Springs in the Furano Area

• One-way trip from Furano Ski Area: Approx. 15min
• Price includes round-trip taxi fare and admission to hot spring
• Towel rental: 300Yen

• Two people: 2500Yen each
• Three people: 2000Yen each
• Four people: 1,500Yen each

• Friday, November 23, 2007 – Monday, March 31, 2008

• Hotel departures 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

• Adults 980Yen, Children (4 – 12) 500Yen

• Saturday, December 1, 2007 – Monday, March 31, 2008

• Bus tour to the natural hot spring “Hakuginso.”
  
  "Hakuginso";
  Separate baths for men and women as well as open-air baths of various temperatures. There is also a mixed-sex open-air bath where bathing suits are required.

Furano Winter Village Kan Kan Mura

＊ Dates may change depending on snow condition
＊ Events are planned for weekends during this period
＊ Christmas event is planned

2008 New Years Festival

＊ New Years Eve countdown party with fireworks

Furano Ski Festival

＊ Banba-jin World Championship
＊ Firework Display
＊ Various food and goods stalls, mini-events planned

Zero Trial Race

Ski and board race for people of all levels. It does not matter how fast you can get down the hill, the participant with the smallest time difference between their two runs is pronounced the winner.

• International Culture Exchange Event
  (Interaction with local Furano citizens with a focus on traditional Japanese performing arts.)
• Take part in a Japanese tea ceremony put on by local high school students
• Watch a long running theatrical performance put on by Furano Group
  Try on a Kimono