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Furano located in the geographical center of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, is an amalgamation of several quaint farming towns around a small municipal center.
Furano is famous for its remarkably light and dry powder snow, entirely domestic vineyards and its summertime beautiful lavender fields, which draw multitudes of visitors from overseas as well as from all over Japan. There are many flower farms and tourist flower gardens. The JR Furano Line runs north to Asahikawa, through the scenic Furano Valley, full of flower fields in the summer. |
Farm Tomita
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The Furano-Biei Norokko Train runs daily from June through August and on weekends into the fall.
It stops at Nakafurano with its lavender slopes, at the seasonal Lavender Field station near Farm Tomita, and at Kamifurano near Flower Land Kamifurano. Yamabe Station on the JR Nemuro Main Line east "toward Obihiro-shi" offers access to mountain-climbing trails on Mount Ashibetsu, which is located within the Taiyou no Sato park, about 45 minutes' walk from the station. |
Furano-Biei Norokko Train
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Don't expect to meet a large number of English speakers outside of the major hotel and tourist areas.
Furano's inland location and high elevation result in a continental climate, the reason behind Furano's successful ski hill and wine industries. There is a very large temperature variation, so a light jacket is recommended even in the summer. Summer midday temperatures may exceed 30 degrees Celsius, and midwinters will drop below -30. Furano has very heavy snowfall in the winter. |
Kanno Farm
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Furano Ski Area is divided into two sections, the Kitanomine zone "open mid-December until late March" and the Furano zone, "open late November until early May".
They are three and six minutes away from the town of Furano respectively by shuttle bus, and all accessible on the same passes available at the resort town. A ski run goes from the Furano Zone to the Kitanomine Zone, and also a lift connects the two. There are rest areas and restaurants at both ski areas. |
Kitanomine Ski Zone
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Furano is close to many great hiking trails, including: Furano-dake, Ashibetsu-dake, and Tokachi-dake.
The tourist office next to the station has the contact details of an outdoor activity center. Other winter activities include snowmobiling and ice-hole fishing. With temperatures so low and mountains protecting it from coastal winds, the broad valley around Furano has some of the world’s best powder for skiing and snowboarding. |
Furano Ski Zone
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Furano Cheese Factory was built in the 1980s. You can see the cheese getting produced downstairs, while upstairs you can buy from the shop.
A specialty item is the cuttlefish ink cheese, Camembert-style with white mold and black cream colored by cuttlefish ink. If you have time, a hands-on project — making cheese or ice cream — could be fun. Tours are free; workshop prices vary. The cheese factory, 3.4 km from Furano Station can be reached in a 10 minutes taxi or car ride. |
Furano Cheese Factory
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AccessPlane - Furano has indirect train service from New Chitose Airport. All trains require a transfer at Takikawa station.
Buses connect Asahikawa Airport with Furano "takes about 60 minutes". Train - Furano can be reached from Sapporo via Takikawa on the JR Nemuro Line. In the winter, there is also a Ski Express Train from Sapporo, and can also be accessed from the local airport train. |
Furano Station
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There are 12 direct trains from Asahikawa on the JR Furano Line as well.
Bus - Chuo Bus connects Sapporo and Furano in 2.5 hours. Furano Bus provide services from Furano city as well as Asahikawa Airport. |
Furano Bus
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Furano-shi - Kamikawa Sub-prefecture, Hokkaido Prefecture
