If you are planning to visit Hokkaido during the lavender season in summer, and looking for a perfect Hokkaido summer itinerary then you have come to the right place. Summer and winter seasons attract millions of Hokkaido travel enthusiasts who actually think themselves as adventurous and nature lovers.
According to my travel experience, Hokkaido is different than rest of the parts of Japan. It is totally up to you that you can either agree with me or disagree with my opinion.
Most importantly, it is a diverse destination which offers you so many things to see and do. And when it comes to talking about summer, then I guess you must read this page. I am sorry for the request!
If you are interested in knowing about Hokkaido then you can read this book. Highly recommended!
Lately, a lot of people who are interested in visiting Hokkaido in the summer have been asking me to share a suggested itinerary. They make me glad knowing that they are willing to visit Hokkaido, and that’s what I really want to see. Such a kind of request I can’t just let go. I take it seriously!
Today, I will feature a special itinerary for visiting Hokkaido lavender. This is the itinerary that is made to give you some ideas on how you should make a travel plan to Hokkaido.
Someone may thing this is not a complete one, Ok you may think so, but I do my own job as part of responsibility. Please note that I will cover only the best recommended destinations that are great to visit in the summer.
Special Hokkaido Lavender Tour Itinerary: 7 Days (Hokkaido Summer Itinerary)
I suppose you would visit Hokkaido one big reason which is to see lavender there.
If you have not got any idea where to start your journey from till the end then take a look at the following itinerary. You can modify it on your own. There is no problem at all.
I generate you that these ideas just to help and give you a clear view of it. Apart from visiting flower farms in Furano and Biei areas I have included other top sightseeing spots such as in Asahikawa, Sapporo, Otaru, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu and Shiraoi.
Day 1 – New Chitose Airport to Tomamu Ski Resort
Arrive at New Chitose Airport and stay a night at Tomamu resort. If you are not tried and still have got some time, then walk around the resort area.
Getting to Tomamu Ski Resort from the Airport is not a daunting task. This page here exactly show you the right path to reach there.
Day 2 – Tomamu to Nakafurano, Furano
The following morning, you get up early and pay a visit to Unkai Terrace (sea of clouds). Even if you don’t see any clouds there, views of the surrounding mountains from the observation platform look very awe-inspiring. You won’t forget your experience there.
Have your breakfast at the café located there. Then leave Tomamu for Furano by taxi. You are heading towards a flower kingdom! Excited?!
I would like you to stay the night in Nakafurano area at Pension Raclette. It is because the hotel is located near the flower farms in Nakafurano. Try visiting Farm Tomita, Lavender East, Saika-no-Sato, and Choei Lavender Garden.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Furano, and leave for Asahikawa in the evening
Get ready to explore rest of the flower farms. If you fail to visit Farm Tomita on Day 2 then start your trip visiting it on day 3. Then head towards the best flower farms in Kamifurano area such as Flower Land Kamifurano, and Hinode Park Lavender Garden.
Your next destination would be Biei where you have to visit its most popular flower farm Shikisai no Oka, Kanno Farm including Zerubu hill.
You can visit all these flower gardens before 5:00 PM. Bear in mind, you don’t have to visit all the flower farms mentioned here because you would run out of time.
****You can easily extent a day here if you wish just to travel all around the main Furano town, which will give you much time to spend few extra minutes at the major flower farms.****
It is time to leave for Asahikawa from Biei, stay overnight there and have some rest. For a comfortable stay, you can stay a night at JR Inn Asahikawa, located next to Asahikawa station.
Day 4: A day in Asahikawa, then make your way to Sapporo by train in the evening
Visit Asahiyama Zoo and Ueno Farm. No one leaves Asahikawa without visiting the ramen village, especially foodies, while Asahiyama Zoo is considered the best and largest Zoo of Japan.
In addition, if you think that ramen village is not your cup of tea, head towards Ueno Farm.
It’s also worth spending some of your valuable time roaming around Asahikawa Station.
Enjoy an enjoyable ride from Asahikawa to Sapporo through a direct train ride. Stay overnight in Sapporo city. It would be best if you stay a night at one of the hotels located nearby JR Sapporo Station.
Based on your budget, stay overnight at one of the following hotels in Sapporo city:
1) JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
2) HOTEL MYSTAYS Sapporo Aspen
3) Century Royal Hotel Sapporo
Day 5: Sapporo Sightseeing
As Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, you have got a lot of things to do and see here. You can gladly visit Odori Park, Sapporo Beer Museum, Sapporo TV Tower, the Historical Village of Hokkaido, Mount Moiwa Ropeway, Moerenuma Park, Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, Hokkaido Shrine, Sapporo Factory, Nijo Market and so on.
You can’t visit all these interesting attractions on a single day. In fact, having a tight schedule may ruin your entire trip! So, when you think of visiting Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park or the Historical Village of Hokkaido, be sure to spend there half a day.
In Sapporo, there are plenty of places to eat and drink around. Hopefully you will be able to taste the most popular dishes of Hokkaido in various restaurants located downtown Sapporo.
Again stay the night in Sapporo. You have to stay two nights there because after visiting all those sites you would definitely get tired. The next morning, I want you to catch a train to Otaru.
Sleep tight!
Day 6: Sapporo to Otaru, Leave for Lake Toya from Sapporo in the evening
You can spend 6 hours in Otaru and then take a train back to Sapporo. Visit the famous Otaru canal, and Sakaimach Street. I am sure you would find out the other interesting attractions near the canal as well. After lunch, you can head over to some souvenir shops. Buy some to bring home!
Say “Goodbye” to this lovely port town and leave Otaru right away for Sapporo.
After check out, make your way to Sapporo Station. Hop onto a limited express train that connects Sapporo with Hakodate. Get off at Toya Station. From the station, you get to Lake Toya area (Toyako Onsen bus terminal) by bus.
Experience a breathtaking firework display in Lake Toya area, starting at 8:45 pm, which lasts for about 20 minutes. It takes place in the summer from April 28th to October 31st illuminating the night sky every evening.
You should make an online reservation at The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort and stay the night there comfortably.
Day 7: Lake Toya
Visit Lake Toya and its nearby tourist attractions. Explore Mount Usu, take Usuzan Ropeway to get to the upper station’s observation deck and then enjoy panoramic views of Lake Toya. In addition, there is a list of summer activities await you there, find here for more info.
That’s it! Next day you get to New Chitose Airport and fly back home safely.
The success of this itinerary depends on various factors, such as your budget, time, and number of people you are going to visit with. Actually this is the way you plan your trip in which you give much priority to certain places to spend more times.
Accommodation and transport facility in Hokkaido is great, no doubt. Though, travel experts say, when visiting flower farms in Furano and Biei areas, visitors can explore them by a rental car and driving it through the designated routes along the flower farms. It gives you much freedom and pleasure.
If you are a family of 4 or 5 members then I guess renting a car would be a great idea. For this suggested itinerary, I suggest you to buy a Japan Rail Pass/Hokkaido Rail Pass.
Therefore, buy it before you arrive in Hokkaido. I do hope that before you take a trip to any places around Hokkaido, make sure you get some ideas how to access to them quite easily and affordably.
Hey WAIT! Before you visit Hokkaido, make sure you have this highly recommended Japan travel guidebook with you. I believe it makes your trip simple & unforgettable in many ways. Thank you very much.
Hi Takkhis,
Thanks for all of your helpful information.
I plan to visit Furano for the lavender field and Soppora area based on your proposed itinerary from July 18 – 26. I have a few questions and hoping you would answer them:
1. Is July 18-26 too late to enjoy the flowers at Farm Tomita?
2. I try to book a room at the Pension Raclette on July 19, but all rooms are sold out. Do you know if that’s true, or are they not releasing the rooms that early yet? If the latter is true, what is the normal time to check back to book the room?
3. If the Pension is truly sold out, which other places would you recommend?
4. I am traveling with a colleague. We are thinking of renting a car, but I also would like to look into a tour as well. Any suggestions and recommendation for a tour contact?
Thanks again. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Courtney
Hi Courtney,
Sorry for the late reply. Anyway, thanks a lot for visiting kyuhoshi.com.
1. That’s not too late! I would recommend you to visit Farm Tomita first then manage time for rest of the destinations including Sapporo. If you follow this I am sure you would be there at the right time and won’t miss seeing impressive lavender field there. So try to reach Furano on July 18/19.
2. That could be true as everyone is looking to reserve their room in advance. However, why don’t you send an email at raclette_furano@yahoo.co.jp and please check out its official website here: http://www.raclette-net.com/index.html
3. There are two other recommended places to stay that are located not far from Farm Tomita: Minshuku Nakafuranosanso, and First Track Inn.
4. Chou Bus offers local tours to Furano and Biei in summer. http://teikan.chuo-bus.co.jp/en/
Probably they would offer the day tours at the end of spring season. If you are thinking of renting a car then rent a car in Asahikawa, it will be cheaper.
Contact me again if you have any doubt and I would definitely try to help you as much as I can. Have a good day, thank you.
Thank you, Takkhis.
I will try contacting the Pension Raclette directly.
I tried the other two places and they are sold out. Other suggestions?
Courtney
You’re welcome. I see, that sounds terrible! Well, if you can’t manage room in Nakafurano then find hotels in Kamifurano area. However you can check this hotel. Good luck and thank you.
Hi, thank you for the Hokkaido information on your blog. I am thinking of exploring Hokkaido for 9 days in July 2017 for summer/flowers. I was wondering does it matter which week in July I should go for best nature/flowers? Which one is generally best/recommended – early or mid or end of July? Thank you!
Hi, it is my pleasure, thanks! I am glad to tell you that the best time to enjoy flower fields in Furano and Biei area is in mid-July. 🙂
Hi Takkhis,
After opening few tabs from Google search engine regarding summer Itinerary in Hokkaido and came upon yours, I quickly closed the rest. This is truly helpful and on point! good job and thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Me and two of my friends are keen to visit by first week of July 2017, along with this itinerary we are considering to rent a private car with an English-speaking driver to facilitate our tour for 1 week. Would you happen to have any recommendation to contact?
I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thank you and speak soon,
Millet
Hi Millet, I hope you are doing great. Well, I have sent you a message to your email address, please check your inbox! Thank you. 🙂
Hi Takkhis,
Thank you for taking time to respond comprehensively and even give additional inputs from my queries Takkhis it’s appreciated a lot!
Your suggestion about driving around Hokkaido on our own sounds great but I may have to check with my IDL conversion for this.
I shall be certainly contacting you before our planned travel date.
Thank you sooo much for your kind generosity in sharing all these information!
All the best!
Hi, it is my pleasure to help you! Contact me again if you have any doubt, I would try my best to write you back as soon as possible. Thanks, and have a great day! 🙂
Hi Takkhis,
Love reading your post, it is so informative. I’m planning a summer hokkaido trip for 2017 and appreciate if you can share your valuable comments.
My planning:
Day 1 – Arriving CTS airport in the morning, pick up rental car and depart to Jigokudani & some tracking to Oyunama footbath, staying overnight in Noboribetsu
Day 2 – Depart to Otaru and making a pit stop at Niseko for lunch. Walk around otaru canal and enjoy evening cruise. Staying overnight in Otaru
Day 3 – Sakaimachi shopping street and depart to Sapporo in the noon. Enjoy soup curry in Sapporo, sightseeing in Odori Park and shopping in Tanuki Koji and of course, crab feast for dinner!
Day 4 – Sapporo Curb market and Sapporo Factory, depart to Asahikawa, pit stop at hokuryu to see sunflower. Stay overnight at Asahikawa.
Day 5 – Depart early from Asahikawa to Biei Blue pond, Shikisai no oka, popura farm and Lavender East. Staying overnight in Furano.
Day 6 – Tomita Farm, furano marche and depart to CTS airport. Staying in airport since flight leaving hokkaido early next morning.
Your comments and opinions are most welcome!
Thanks.
SW
Hi SW,
I am so glad that you love reading my post here. Thank you and I appreciate it. No problem at all, I am here to help all of you.
Your itinerary sounds cool. One of the things I like the most is – you have decided to travel by a rental car. How cool is that! It is a great decision.
When you explore Sakaimachi shopping street, make sure you have some Kamaboko fish cakes at Kamaei. Instead of visiting Sapporo Curb Market, you can visit Nijo Market which is located not far away from Sapporo factory. You can have your lunch in Hokuryu and then enjoy the views of the impressive sunflower fields there. So you better embark for Hokuryu from Sapporo as soon as you finish visiting Nijo/Curb Market and Sapporo Factory.
I don’t know where you would be staying in Furano but if you want then you can stay a night at Guesthouse Akane-yado, located in Nakafurano. Its surrounding landscapes are just stunning, you would love it for sure! Also I suggest you not to miss the Saika farm and Flowerland Kamifurano. These are worth visiting along with other popular flower farms. In addition, on the way back to the airport, if you have time then a visit to Furano Winery would be just great.
I hope this helps, thank you and have a nice day!
Hi there, takkhis! Thanks for sharing the itinerary which is very useful.
I’m planning to go Hokkaido next month between 17 to 23 Aug. Is it too late to see lavenders? Kindly share your valuable advice pls.
Thank you in advance 🙂
Hi, you’re welcome! Yes, it is too late to see lavender in Furano, especially at Farm Tomita, and Lavender East. Don’t be sad because there are other flower farms to see. Visit this post to get some idea about the other flower farms: https://www.kyuhoshi.com/2016/03/22/10-beautiful-flower-farms-to-visit-in-furano-and-biei/
An important tip for you – If possible please rent a car in Asahikawa and then discover the flower gardens located in Biei, Kamifurano, and Nakafurano. In addition, you could visit Hokuryu from Asahikawa. There is an ongoing sunflower festival in Hokuryu now. Find more info here: https://www.kyuhoshi.com/2015/08/03/sunflower-field-in-hokuryu/
Thank you. 🙂
Hi Takkhis, appreciate your reply and thank you so much for going the extra mile to provide suggestion on other flower farms + tip to rent a car to discover the flower gardens in Biei, Kamifurano and Nakafurano & the sunflower festival in Hokuryu. These information are so useful for us.
Thank you so much ^-^
Hello, I am just so glad reading what you have written here. I would like to hear your Hokkaido travel story. If possible, then share it here with me. Thank you! 🙂
Good morning Takkhis, I’ll certainly share if we go on the trip. Our discussions are still in the pipeline.
Have a lovely day ahead!
I wish you good luck! Have a nice day.
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely itinerary! We are traveling by JR pass from Tokyo in July, and hope to spend around 5 days in the Hokkaido region. I definitely want to see Sapporo and the lavender fields. If we have time to see only one other place, out of the ones you’ve mentioned, what would you choose?
You’re welcome! In that case I would suggest you to explore Asahikawa along with Sapporo and Lavender Fields in Furano. First visit Sapporo then head to Asahikawa and your last destination would be Furano. Don’t forget to visit Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa Ramen Village in Asahikawa. In addition if you wish then visit Asahidake Onsen, located at the foot of Mount Asahidake. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much!