Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Horomitoge is one of Sapporo’s most popular scenic locations, with about 7,000 lavender plants filling the hills that overlook the city of Sapporo. The beautiful park is one of our most recommended places to visit in Sapporo during summer!

■Opening days: beginning to the end of July

■Access: Take the train from Sapporo Station to Maruyama Koen Station, then drive or take a taxi for 10 minutes

The lavender field at Farm Tomita is one of the most popular places to visit in the area during summer. Among the soothing purple of lavender are also colorful flowers such as poppies, marigolds and dahlias. Nothing says summer in Hokkaido more than the vivid scenery of endless flower fields.

■Access: Board the JR Furano Line to Lavender-Farm Station, walk for about 7 minutes.

*Express buses are also running from places such as Asahikawa and Furano Stations.

The lavender field at Hinode Lavender Garden overlooks a spectacular view of the Tokachi mountains, and is located atop the vast hills of Kamifurano. The type of lavender found here is called Okamurasaki, and you can spot it later in the summer than other types of lavender. Every year, an annual festival featuring many events and food stands is held in Jul.

■Viewing season: late Jun. to early Aug.

■Access: 15min walk from JR Kamifurano Station

The popular lavender field of Shikisai-no-Oka is in season from the beginning of summer until early August, and the sunflowers are in bloom until the end of August. (If you are lucky, you can also see them from mid-September to early October.) After touring around the flower fields either on the tractor bus or the buggy, don’t forget to visit the Alpaca Farm as well, where you can feed them and see their cute faces up close!

■Opening hours: June–September, From 8:30am to 6pm

■Address: 3 Shinsei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido

At Makomanai Takino Cemetery you can see a large Buddha poking his head out of the cemetery’s hills, giving it the nickname “Atama Daibutsu” (Head Buddha). The landscapes and architecture were designed by architect Tadao Ando, specifically to bring out the beauty of the four seasons.

During summer, the solemn figure of the Buddha reveals a peaceful expression as it’s surrounded by about 150-thousand lavender flowers. The best time to see the lavender field is from mid- to late-July.