Furano: Skiing, Lavender, and Culture

Furano brings together winter sports, summer nature experiences, and cultural and craft activities. When looking for hotels in Furano, it’s worth first deciding what you want from your trip: Is the ski resort the main draw, would you like to stroll among lavender in summer, or are you interested in a cultural visit? The area’s features offer different ways to plan your stay.

Furano’s Landscape and Location

Furano is a vast hilly landscape that stretches up to Mount Tokachi. The area is part of Furano-Ashibetsu Nature Park and lies along the Sorachi River. These geographic features shape the different experiences available here: rafting trips are offered on the river, while the hills and Mount Tokachi provide the scenic backdrop. If you choose Furano as your destination, you can take both nature experiences and sporting activities into account.

Ski Runs and Summer Lavender

Furano Ski Resort has long, fast, and challenging runs. These three features give skiing a clear focus: the runs each stand out for their length, speed, and difficulty. This offering differs from a leisurely walk through a flower field or a visit to cultural sites. If you want to plan your trip mainly around skiing, the resort is a specific reason to include Furano in your options.

Furano Lavender-no-Mori offers a different seasonal landscape experience. In summer, you can stroll among fragrant purple lavender flowers. The visit combines walking through the field with the flowers’ fragrance and color, creating a distinct experience alongside the sporting character of the ski runs. If you want lavender to be the focus of your trip, summer is the key season.

Festival and Crafts

The Hokkai-Heso Festival takes place every year on July 28 and 29 in Furano’s shopping street. If your trip falls on these dates, check the program details for that year before making plans, as future arrangements may vary. The festival is a specific cultural event in the annual calendar, setting it apart from a visit focused mainly on scenery or sports.

Ningle Terrace is a forest craft village designed by Sō Kuramoto, with 14 small arts and crafts shops. Its seasonal operating schedule is relevant to your visit, so check visitor information for your travel dates. The Hokkai-Heso Festival and Ningle Terrace offer different cultural experiences: the festival takes place on recurring dates in July, while Ningle Terrace’s seasonal operating schedule is a factor when planning.

Wine, Hands-On Activities, and Rafting

Furano Winery offers facility tours and wine tastings. Furano Cheese Factory focuses on hands-on workshops where you can make butter, ice cream, and cheese. These provide two different options: a look around the winery with a wine tasting, or making dairy products yourself. If you’d rather take part in an activity than go on a tour, the workshops offer a specific option to consider.

Rafting trips are also offered on the Sorachi River in Furano. The river is therefore both part of the area’s geographic description and the setting for an outdoor activity. Rafting offers a different experience from the runs at the ski resort or a walk through the lavender field. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on a river activity, winter sports, or a summer landscape experience.

Getting Around the City

Furano Marche is in the city of Furano, about a seven-minute walk from Furano Station. The Kururu Bus runs a seasonal loop to various attractions within Furano and returns to Furano Station. The station and Furano Marche are two specific landmarks, while the bus offers a loop route that returns to the station. As the bus may operate seasonally, check the timetable for your travel dates before visiting.

First consider which experiences you want to shape your trip, then compare the available hotel options in Furano.

More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Kitahiroshima, Iwamizawa, Akkeshi, Asahikawa, Kato District, Urakawa, Monbetsu District, Rebun District

For the main travel overview: Hokkaido.