Every summer, the Furano valley turns purple. Millions of lavender plants bloom across farms and hillsides from late June through early August, and for those few weeks, this quiet farming area in central Hokkaido becomes one of the most visited destinations in Japan.
In This Article
- When Is Lavender Season in Furano?
- Farm Tomita — The Famous One
- What to eat and buy at Farm Tomita
- The crowd problem (and how to deal with it)
- When is Farm Tomita open?
- The Smaller Farms Are Better for Photos
- Nakafurano Flower Park
- Hinode Park (Kamifurano)
- Kanno Farm
- Choei Lavender Garden
- Highland Furano / Lavender Forest Area
- Beyond Lavender: Furano’s Full Flower Calendar
- Getting to the Lavender Fields
- The Lavender Bus
- JR Lavender Field Station
- Cycling (My Top Recommendation)
- By Car
- What You Can Honestly Skip
- Tips for the Best Lavender Experience
- Where to Stay During Lavender Season
I’ve been here during peak bloom and during the shoulder weeks. Both are worth it, but they’re very different experiences. Here’s everything you need to know about when to go, where to go, and how to avoid the worst of the crowds.
When Is Lavender Season in Furano?
The short answer: late June to early August. The longer answer depends on which variety you’re looking at.
Early bloomers (okamurasaki variety): These start showing color in mid to late June. By early July, they’re at full bloom. If you visit in late June, you’ll see lavender — just not the full carpet of purple that you see in photos.
Peak bloom (all varieties): Mid-July is the sweet spot. This is when every field is at maximum color — okamurasaki, hanamoiwa, noushi hayazaki, and the other varieties all overlapping. The famous rainbow rows at Farm Tomita are at their most photogenic during this window.
Late varieties: Some fields hold color into early August, particularly the later-blooming hanamoiwa variety. But by mid-August, the season is essentially over. Farmers start harvesting for essential oil production.
A bit of history: farmers in this area started growing lavender in the 1940s for essential oil production. At its peak in the 1960s, Furano and Kamifurano had over 200 hectares of lavender under cultivation. Then cheaper synthetic alternatives from overseas killed the market. By the early 1970s, most farmers had ripped out their lavender and switched to other crops.
Tourism saved it. One photograph of Farm Tomita’s remaining lavender fields appeared in a national railway calendar in 1976, and people started showing up. Slowly at first, then in huge numbers. Now the flowers that almost disappeared entirely are what Furano is famous for. It’s a good story — and it explains why Farm Tomita is treated with almost reverent respect by the local community.
Farm Tomita — The Famous One
Let’s get this out of the way first because it’s where everyone goes. Farm Tomita is the most famous lavender farm in Japan, and it’s free to enter. No tickets, no reservations, no admission fee. Just drive up (or bike, or take the train) and walk in.
The signature attraction is the Irodori Field — rainbow-colored rows of different flowers (lavender, poppies, baby’s breath, red salvia) planted in perfect stripes across a hillside. This is the postcard image of Furano. It’s genuinely beautiful and looks exactly like the photos. Sometimes better.
Farm Tomita also operates Lavender East, a separate location about 4km away that’s the largest lavender field in Japan. Fewer crowds, more lavender, less Instagram. Worth the detour if you have a car.
What to eat and buy at Farm Tomita
Lavender soft serve ice cream (about 400 yen) is the signature snack. It’s actually good — not just a gimmick. The lavender flavor is subtle, not like eating soap. They also sell melon soft serve made with Furano melon, which might be even better.
The gift shops sell dried lavender sachets, lavender essential oil, lavender soap, lavender honey, lavender everything. The essential oil and sachets are the best value for souvenirs. The perfume shop lets you blend your own scent.
The crowd problem (and how to deal with it)
Here’s the honest truth: Farm Tomita in mid-July is packed. Tour buses start arriving by 9am and the parking lot turns into a nightmare by 10am. On weekends and holidays, you’re shoulder-to-shoulder on the paths through the Irodori Field.
Your options:
- Arrive before 8am. The farm opens at sunrise and it’s nearly empty at 7am. The early morning light is also the best for photos.
- Come after 4pm. The tour buses leave, the crowds thin, and the golden hour light makes everything glow. This is my preferred strategy.
- Visit on a weekday. If you have any control over your schedule, avoid Saturday and Sunday during peak bloom.
- Skip the car. Take the seasonal JR Lavender Field Station (open June through September only) which drops you right next to Farm Tomita. Or rent a bike in Furano — about 1,500 yen/day — and cycle down. No parking headache at all.
Parking at Farm Tomita is free but limited. It’s the number one complaint about the farm. Using transit, the Lavender Bus from Furano Station, or cycling eliminates this problem entirely.
When is Farm Tomita open?
The flower fields are open roughly April through October, with the best displays from late June through August. Some facilities on the farm — the shop, the cafe, the dried flower gallery — operate year-round, but there’s no reason to visit in winter unless you’re specifically looking for lavender products to buy.
There’s no closing time for the fields during summer. Technically you can walk through at any hour. The shops and food stalls typically operate from about 8:30am to 5pm, with extended hours during peak season.
The Smaller Farms Are Better for Photos
I’m going to say something controversial: if you only have time for one lavender spot, it doesn’t have to be Farm Tomita. The smaller farms have better views, fewer people, and more room to wander.
Nakafurano Flower Park
Town-run park on a hillside in Nakafurano, right next to the Hokusei Mountain ski slope. A chairlift runs to the top during lavender season (a few hundred yen), giving you a panoramic view down across the lavender fields with mountains in the background.
The crowds here are maybe a third of what you’ll find at Farm Tomita. You can actually sit on a bench, take your time, and enjoy the view without someone’s selfie stick in your face. Free entry. Small parking lot that’s usually manageable.
Hinode Park (Kamifurano)
This is my favorite spot for sunset photos. A hilltop park in Kamifurano with lavender fields and panoramic views across the entire Furano valley. On a clear evening, you can see the Tokachi mountains turning pink while the lavender fields catch the last light.
Free entry, free parking, almost nobody there compared to Farm Tomita. The walk up the hill is a bit steep but takes only 10 minutes. Bring a tripod if you’re into photography — the golden hour here is spectacular.
Kanno Farm
Located between Furano and Biei along Route 237, Kanno Farm is a smaller operation on a gentle hillside. The lavender here is beautiful, and they also grow sunflowers, salvia, and other flowers that create a patchwork of color across the slope.
Free entry. Their lavender ice cream is excellent — different recipe from Farm Tomita’s, slightly more floral. The farm is quieter even in peak season because most tour buses don’t stop here. If you’re driving between Furano and Biei’s flower hills, it’s right on the way.
Choei Lavender Garden
Another town-managed garden in Nakafurano. Small but pretty. Not worth a special trip on its own, but if you’re already at Nakafurano Flower Park, it’s a quick addition.
Highland Furano / Lavender Forest Area
The area around Highland Furano (which is also an onsen hotel) has scattered lavender plantings in a forested setting. Different atmosphere from the open-field farms — more shaded, more intimate. Good for a walk if you want a break from the tourist circuit.
Beyond Lavender: Furano’s Full Flower Calendar
Lavender gets all the attention, but the Furano valley has flowers blooming from May through October. The farms plant different species to extend the season — smart business, and great for visitors who can’t make the July peak.
| Month | What’s Blooming |
|---|---|
| May | Cherry blossoms, tulips, lily of the valley |
| June | Lupins, German iris, oriental poppies, early lavender |
| July | Lavender (peak), poppies, baby’s breath, blue salvia |
| August | Sunflowers, late lavender, marigolds, dahlias |
| September | Cosmos, dahlias, autumn colors beginning |
| October | Late cosmos, autumn foliage |
June is underrated. The lupins at Farm Tomita are gorgeous — tall spikes of purple, pink, and white along the hillside. And because it’s pre-lavender season, the crowds are a fraction of what they’ll be two weeks later. If you don’t mind missing peak lavender, late June gives you early lavender plus lupins plus manageable crowds. That’s a good trade.
August sunflowers are also worth timing for. Several farms around Furano and Biei plant massive sunflower fields that bloom from late July through August. Different vibe from the delicate lavender, but equally photogenic.
September and October bring cosmos fields and the beginning of autumn foliage. The hills around Biei and Kamifurano turn yellow and orange while late-season flowers provide foreground color. Tourist numbers drop dramatically after mid-August, so if you want the flower farm experience without crowds, September is a strong option — just don’t expect lavender.
Getting to the Lavender Fields
The Lavender Bus
During summer (roughly late June through August), a seasonal bus connects Furano Station to Farm Tomita and other flower spots. Schedules change yearly, so check the Furano Tourism Association website for current timetables. It’s the easiest option if you don’t have a car.
JR Lavender Field Station
This seasonal train station (open June through September only) sits right next to Farm Tomita. Trains from Furano Station take about 25 minutes. It’s a small, unmanned station that only exists because of the lavender tourists — and it works perfectly for that purpose. One of the most convenient station-to-attraction connections in all of rural Japan.
Cycling (My Top Recommendation)
I keep saying this because it’s true: cycling is the best way to see the lavender. Rent a bike in Furano (1,500 yen/day for a regular bike, 3,000+ for electric assist) and ride south toward Nakafurano. The route takes you past multiple farms, through farmland, with mountain views the entire way.
The distance from Furano Station to Farm Tomita is about 12km. Flat to gently rolling terrain. Even casual cyclists can handle it in 40-50 minutes. And you can stop whenever you see something beautiful, which will be approximately every 30 seconds.
For more on cycling and other outdoor activities in the area, see our activity guide.
By Car
Most visitors drive, which is why parking is such a problem. If you do drive, arrive before 8am or after 4pm at Farm Tomita. The smaller farms rarely have parking issues. There’s a large temporary overflow parking area near Farm Tomita during peak season, but even that fills up on busy weekends.
Having a car does make it much easier to hit the smaller farms, do a combined Furano-Biei circuit, and visit Lavender East. If you’re renting, pick up the car in Furano or Asahikawa rather than driving all the way from Sapporo through mountain passes. Parking is free at all the farms mentioned in this guide.
One route I recommend: start at Farm Tomita early morning, drive to Nakafurano Flower Park mid-morning, head north to Kanno Farm for lunch and ice cream, continue to the Biei flower hills in the afternoon, then circle back to Hinode Park for sunset. That’s a full day covering all the highlights with manageable driving distances between each stop — no more than 15-20 minutes between points.
What You Can Honestly Skip
Some things in the Furano lavender circuit aren’t worth your limited time.
Lavender East during peak hours. Farm Tomita’s secondary field is worth visiting, but only if you have a car and time. It’s just lavender — no rainbow rows, no food stalls, no shops. Beautiful in its scale, but not essential if you’re short on time.
Expensive lavender products. Lavender-scented everything is sold at every farm, every gift shop, and every roadside stand in the valley. Some of it is great (essential oil, sachets). Some of it is overpriced junk (lavender-flavored caramels at 800 yen for a tiny box). Use judgment. The sachets from Farm Tomita’s shop are well-made and reasonably priced. The random roadside stalls are mostly tourist traps.
Guided bus tours from Sapporo. They rush you through Farm Tomita in 45 minutes, stop at one other spot, then drive you back. You see nothing properly. If you can’t get to Furano independently, the bus tour is better than not going at all — but just barely.
Tips for the Best Lavender Experience
Best photos: Early morning (6-8am) or golden hour (5-7pm). Midday sun washes out the purple. Overcast days actually produce more saturated colors — the lavender practically glows under cloud cover.
Don’t just do Farm Tomita. I can’t stress this enough. Farm Tomita is worth seeing, but the smaller spots are better for photography, better for relaxation, and better for actually experiencing the lavender rather than the crowd. Hit Farm Tomita early, then spend the afternoon exploring Hinode Park, Kanno Farm, and the Nakafurano area.
Lavender products make great souvenirs. Dried lavender sachets keep their scent for months and are light to carry. Essential oil is the most concentrated way to bring the smell home. Skip the lavender candy — it’s not great.
Combine with Biei. The flower farms in Biei (Shikisai no Oka, Zerubu Hill) are about 30-40 minutes north of Farm Tomita and have a completely different landscape. Rolling hills with patchwork flower fields stretching to the horizon. If you have a car, doing both areas in one day is very doable.
Plan your full Furano trip around the lavender. You need at least two full days to properly see the flower farms, and three is better. One day for Farm Tomita and surroundings, one for Nakafurano and Kamifurano, and one for Biei. Rushing through in a single day is doable but unsatisfying — you’ll see the highlights but miss the quiet moments that make this place special.
Check bloom forecasts. The Furano Tourism Association and Farm Tomita’s official site both post bloom updates during the season. Lavender timing varies by 1-2 weeks depending on the year’s weather. A warm spring means earlier blooms; a cool, rainy June pushes everything back.
Where to Stay During Lavender Season
Furano town is the most convenient base, with the widest selection of hotels, guesthouses, and rental apartments. Nakafurano is closer to Farm Tomita and quieter. Kamifurano is the most peaceful option — just you and the farms.
Book early. I mean weeks-in-advance early. Peak lavender season (July 10-25 roughly) coincides with the Belly Button Festival on July 28-29, and accommodation across the entire valley fills up. If you’re flexible on dates, the first week of July or last week of July gives you good lavender with slightly easier booking.
Budget options are limited — this is peak tourist season in a small town. Expect to pay 8,000-15,000 yen per person for a basic hotel or pension. Check our Furano accommodation guide for specific recommendations.
One last thing. The lavender will still be there tomorrow. Take your time. Sit on a bench at Hinode Park at sunset with a Furano melon ice cream and just watch the purple fields change color as the light shifts. That’s the experience you came for — not rushing between five farms to check them off a list.