Hokkaido, anyone?
Well, it’s somewhat far off, right at the North of Japan. The best way to get there is on a bullet train (Shinkansen) which takes you through the Seikan Tunnel – the world’s longest tunnel running under the sea, all of 54 km long, reaching 240 meters under the sea surface. It is fascinating to watch the speed indicator nudge 200 kmph, so far below the stormy ocean.
Sapporo is where you start. It is a commercial and crowded city, but well worth a one day stop-over. We walked to the Odori Park, a very large park in the heart of Sapporo’s downtown, that provides a lush green escape from busy urban life. Special events and festivals abound throughout the year, most notably the Sapporo Snow Festival. It’s a great place to hang out, as nightlife and shopping districts are close-by, and we had a lovely afternoon and evening strolling around, ending up with a Japanese dinner for a treat.
We were looking for a tall place from which we could view Sapporo, and there it was, the very tall Sapporo TV Tower. Its observation deck looks down on Odori Park and the city, with mountains as background. Try to get there a little before sundown, and you will see a glorious sunset and the night lights. Take in the Clock Tower, too, with a bell that tolls every hour. It has a balloon-type wooden architecture, and rather nice red roof and white walls. There is a little museum as well.
We love zoos, and simply had to visit the famous Asahiyama Zoo, just a bus ride away in Asahikawa. You can see the animals from various angles because of the way the enclosures are set up. We saw penguins swimming underwater from the glass tunnel in the penguin pool and watched polar bears and wolves from small glass domes right in the middle of their enclosures. There were some local wildlife, rather special, though the pride of the zoo are the penguins.
Next stop – Furano, with its famous Lavender fields at Farm Tomita. We were lucky to get there in July, when the flowers were blooming. There are vast fields of lavender, as far as the eye could stretch, and lovely mountains far away. We wandered around for a long time, cameras clicking, enjoying the serene scenery. You can walk right through the lavender fields and be surrounded by flowers everywhere. For a break we tried lavender cake and lavender ice cream at the Poppy House café, surprisingly nice.
An interesting side trip was a 2-hour bus tour from Furano station to the beautiful country town of Biei, surrounded by a picturesque landscape of gently rolling hills and vast fields. A pleasant way to enjoy the charm of Biei would be to drive or cycle through the hills and visit some of the flower fields and famous trees along the way.
The area northwest of the town center is named “Patchwork Road” and the area south of the town center “Panorama Road”. Named after the appearance of its fields seen from above, the Patchwork Road (Patchwork no Michi) is actually an entire, and very pretty area, not just a single road. Beautiful rural landscapes, the Japan you don’t usually get to see, are visible around the year, especially during the green and colorful summer and autumn months and during winter when everything is covered under a deep layer of snow.
Marketing professionals have been attracted to this area’s natural beauty, and some trees were used in commercials or for package label designs. A row of larch trees featured on the Mild Seven Hill in a cigarette commercial, a poplar named Ken and Mary Tree appeared in a car commercial and the Sevenstar Tree showed up on cigarette packages. There is also a nice little group of oak trees called the Parents and Child Tree.
Hokkaido gives you a marvellous taste of Japan, away from the crowded towns, skyscrapers and trains, and zillions of people. If you want to see a different Japan, don’t miss it.
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I’m so jealous you guys made it to Furano! Next time I want to go in the winter, maybe staying here: https://zaborin.com/en/
Japan is my favorite country. I’ve traveled to Japan twice and I cant wait to go back. Hokkaido is on my Bucketlist, I want to visit during summer and see all the colorful and beautiful flowers
I so must visit japan one day! And definitely travel by train while there. A nice road trip around the country would be ideal.
Hokkaido’s been on my bucket list since I’ve seen a documentary about Japan one year ago. I would love to try the lavender cake and ice-cream as well 🙂 looks so yummy
Hokkaido is on my Bucket list. I’ve heard so many great things and have seen so many beautiful photos. I can’t wait to visit hokkaido. Hopefully after all this virus scare is done I can plan my trip there
Oh I would love to see the lavender files!
I have been trying to see that in several places, but I always seem to book my trips wrong. I was heading to see the sunflowers in Bulgaria, but it turned out that the season was unusually warm to the flowers had dried out. Bulgaria was beautiful though, so no loss 🙂
We love train journeys, it’s our favourite way to travel, even when it’s quicker to drive or fly, and we love going to places that are a bit off the beaten path … so Hokkaido looks like our type of destination. I bet the smell of the lavender fields was amazing … did you take lots of photos?
That opening shot made me want to head straight to Hokkaido; beautifully framed. I loved the second shot from Lavender fields at Farm Tomita as well. Really, all the landscape shots are stunning. I spent a summer in Tokyo but sadly didn’t make it here. I have pinned to my bucket list for the future!
Wow, love your photos. I so want to return to Japan and now I have an excuse because I haven’t been to Hokkaido. Looks fun and I love the Japanese bullet trains. Th scenery, the flowers looks stunning. Maybe next year 🙂
Oh, this looks like a gorgeous destination! I love to see lavender fields in bloom and lavender ice cream and cake sound heavenly. Isn’t crazy how they build those tunnels under the ocean? We have several of them here in southeastern Virginia. Imagine how much harder travel would be without them. Thanks for sharing this beautiful place.
Hokkaido iz on my Japan bucket list since I have seen a documentary about Japan o e year ago… I would love to try the lavender cakd and ice-cream as well 🙂 looks so yummy
The ice cream reminds me of the lavender festival we have in Michigan! Except…Japan is just SO MUCH cooler. Love the flower photos!
Japan is high on my wishlist since long but never knew about Hokkaido. This place really looks beautiful. The visit to Furano, with its famous Lavender fields at Farm Tomita is worth visiting.
Hokkaido looks so beautiful! I didn’t know that there are lavender fields there, but your gorgeous pics make me want to visit. I bet the fragrance is amazing. Lavender ice cream sounds interesting, but I can’t even imagine what the flavor would taste like 😀
Love Japan – would return in a heartbeat! I have covered most of Honshu but not Hokkaido. The lavender fields look stunning and definitely a place I would visit. Have pinned this for my trip.
I have never heard of Hokkaido until I read your post. It sounds beautiful!
Hokkaido is awsome – reading this made me miss it! I got lost on a mountain in Hokkaido, scariest but coolest thing I have ever done!
This is one area of Japan I am super anxious to go for one reason – the AMAZING food! It is such a beautiful and the food is very unique!
You are right – Hokkaido is absolutely worth a visit. Especially in summer! There are plenty of wonderful hiking opportunities too. I also have been to the Tomita farm and loved the Lavender Ice cream – not so sure about the cheesecake though……
I love Japan! I was there two years ago after more than 15 years of wishing and wanting. And now I am craving for a new Japan trip! Hokkaido is definitely on my to do list. Thanks for sharing! Best regards, Elisa of flitterfever.com
We were very sorry we missed the chance to visit Hokkaido when we were in Japan. And taking the bullet train would have added so much fun! We too often head to a high point to start our visit to a new area. Good to know the Sapporo TV Tower fits the bill. A visit in July would be perfect to find the lavender in bloom. A spot to visit on our next Japan trip for sure!
I would looove to visit Hokkaido in the summertime when it looks all green like this! I have only visited in the snow. I love love looove the tasty ramen and the perfect natural onsens up there. 🙂 Fab post.
Hokkaido looks so picturesque! I love how vibrant and lush the greenery is and how vibrant the lavender field looks! What a pretty place to stroll and admire the lovely scenery. I hope I get a chance to admire it in person one day! Thanks for the great guide!
Japan has always been on my bucket list and this post only makes me want to gt there even more! I didn’t know tou could take an underwater training, it looks cool, but also a bit scary. Anyway, Hokkaido sounds like totally worth the trip. Thanks for sharing!
I love places with cities and mountain landscapes. Looks like you had a wonderful trip! Those flowers are gorgeous!
This looks like a beautiful part of Japan to visit if you want to escape the city life. Those fields with flowers in them are just stunning.
This is indeed quite scenic I love the lavender fields