One of Hokkaido's 179 towns
Furano富良野市
Lavender, wine and the belly button of Hokkaido
Kamikawa region · Lavender, patchwork hills and the roof of Hokkaido.
Lavender fields in July, powder skiing in January, and wine all year. Furano is the postcard of central Hokkaido — arrive early in summer.
Furano fills a broad valley in the geographic centre of Hokkaido, with the Tokachidake volcanoes on one side and the Yubari hills on the other. The town's name is shorthand for July lavender, though the biggest fields are actually in neighboring Nakafurano; Furano itself offers a city-run winery and cheese factory, a ski hill above the town and the farm landscapes made famous by decades of television drama. It works in every season, which is rare in Hokkaido, and it is the natural base for the whole Furano–Biei corridor.
- Region
- Kamikawa (上川)
- From New Chitose Airport
- ~115 km · 1.8 h summer / 2.1 h winter
- From Sapporo
- ~121 km · 1.9 h summer / 2.2 h winter
- Best season in Kamikawa
- Choose dates around the flowers, autumn foliage or winter scenery you want to see. Check local conditions and seasonal transport before booking.
Furano at a glance
Drive estimates: straight-line × 1.35, at 65 km/h (summer) / 55 km/h (winter). How we calculate
What to see in Furano
Furano Winery and Cheese Factory
ふらのワイン工場とチーズ工房
Two city-run facilities on the hills west of town: a winery growing its own grapes with a tasting room, and a cheese workshop with hands-on classes. Both have views back over the valley.
Furano Ski Area
富良野スキー場
The slopes rise directly above the Kitanomine district, with long runs and dry inland snow. In summer the gondola area opens for hiking and views of the Tokachi range.
Hokkaido Heso Festival
北海へそ祭り
Held every July, this festival celebrates Furano's position at the island's centre with dancers who paint faces on their bellies and parade through downtown.
Rokugo and the drama countryside
麓郷の農村風景
The farming district east of town where the long-running drama 'From the Northern Country' was filmed. Fields, woods and old farmhouses remain much as they appeared on screen.
Getting to Furano
Asahikawa Airport is about one hour by car via Biei on Route 237. The JR Furano Line from Asahikawa ends at Furano station, and the Nemuro Main Line from Takikawa also reaches it. From Sapporo it is about 2.5 hours by car through Mikasa and Katsurazawa.
Kamikawa region: Asahikawa Airport and Asahikawa Station are useful entry points. Plan the onward journey separately: reaching a railway station is not the same as reaching a flower farm, the Blue Pond or a mountain ropeway. Check seasonal bus services and the last return departure.
When to visit Furano
July for lavender and the belly-button festival, though the town fills up and lodging goes early. September for harvest and grape season, January and February for ski powder. May is quiet and green after the snow melts.
What to eat in Furano
Furano wine and Furano cheese, both from the city facilities, are the take-home items. Melons, carrots and onions come from the valley, and omelette curry with local ingredients is the town's own dish. Milk from local herds shows up in soft-serve everywhere.
Furano in context: the Kamikawa region
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Kamikawa is a large inland region of Hokkaido that includes Asahikawa, Furano, Biei and gateways to Daisetsuzan National Park. It is also the name of Kamikawa town, where Sounkyo Onsen is located. This page helps you choose between the region's sightseeing areas; use the town guide below if Sounkyo is your destination.
Towns near Furano
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Furano & Biei Guide
Plan Furano and Biei with a two-day itinerary, Farm Tomita driving times, no-car options, lavender timing and advice on choosing a place to stay.
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Hokkaido in Summer
Plan a Hokkaido summer trip with lavender fields, regional routes, indoor breaks and room-cooling checks, plus clothing and transport advice.
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Sapporo to Furano and Biei: Train, Bus or Car
How to get from Sapporo to Furano and Biei: the Furano-go highway bus (¥2,700, about 2 hours 55 minutes), JR via Asahikawa (limited express from 1 hour 25 minutes, then about 32 minutes to Biei), the summer-only Furano Lavender Express, or about 2 hours 10 minutes by car. Fares, rail passes and winter tips.
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Hokkaido Rail Pass 2026: Prices, Area Passes and When It Pays Off
JR Hokkaido's passes for overseas visitors: the Hokkaido Rail Pass costs ¥22,000 for 5 days (¥28,000 for 7, ¥37,000 for 10) bought in advance, and 4-day area passes cover Sapporo–Noboribetsu (¥10,000) or Sapporo–Furano (¥11,000). Coverage, rules and how to decide.
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Furano & Biei to Noboribetsu Onsen: Train or Car
How long from Furano or Biei to Noboribetsu Onsen? By car, about 1 hr 48 min on the expressway from Shimukappu IC; by train from Biei, about 3 hr 10 min on board via Asahikawa and Sapporo, plus the last stretch to the onsen town.
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Furano and Biei in Winter 2026–27: Skiing, Snow Scenery and the Cold
Furano and Biei in winter: Furano Ski Area plans to run from November 28, 2026 to May 5, 2027, Tomamu's Ice Village from December 20, and January nights in Furano average -14.4°C. The Blue Pond in winter, getting there by rail pass, and planning tips.
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More towns in Kamikawa
Other regions: Ishikari · Sorachi · Shiribeshi · Iburi · Hidaka · Oshima · Hiyama · Rumoi · Soya · Okhotsk · Tokachi · Kushiro · Nemuro