Seasonal

The Furano Cheese Factory (富良野チーズ工房) sits on a hill about 3km from Furano Station, surrounded by birch trees and overlooking the town below. It’s free to walk in, watch cheese being made through glass windows, and sample products in the shop. That alone takes maybe 15 minutes. But the real draw is the hands-on workshops, … Read more

Furano is the obvious base for a Hokkaido ski trip if you want to avoid the Niseko circus. But sticking to just one resort for your entire trip means missing out on some of the best skiing in Japan – and it’s all within a couple hours’ drive. The Hokkaido Powder Belt is a roughly … Read more

Furano gets around 8 meters of snowfall every season, and most of it is the driest, lightest powder you’ll find in Hokkaido. If you’re planning a ski trip, you’ll want to check conditions before you go. Here’s how to track Furano’s snow in real time and what to expect through the season. Where to Check … Read more

I’m going to tell you about a festival where 4,000 people paint giant faces on their bare bellies and dance through the streets of Furano. And no, I’m not making this up. The Hokkai Heso Matsuri — literally the Hokkaido Belly Button Festival — is one of the weirdest, funniest, most genuinely joyful events in … Read more