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,
Thank you very much for the useful guide.
I will be arriving CTS airport on 5 July 8:30 am and leaving on 10 July morning.
2 of us are travelling.
Could you help us to plan the trip, where to stay , place to visit etc.
Thanks
Swan
I have replied to your email, please check it out. Thank you!
Hi, Takkhis. My fiance and I will be travelling to Hokkaido on 25th-30th July for pre-wedding photoshoots. Photoshooting will be at lavendar farms and otaru canal. How should I plan my itineary? My photographer recommended us to stay near Asakihawa area.
Hi,
Would you please check your email inbox? I have sent a message there. Thanks!
Hi Takkhis,
First of all thank you so much for this blog. I feel lucky that I came across it.
I have commented earlier too in this blog last night but some how I couldn’t find my comment :(. I re typing few questions I have for my up coming Hokkaido summer trip from 20th July – 24th July 2017 (This is the only leave I have). I am travelling by myself.
Please help me by validating my trip’s itinerary which is planned and booked based on your blog :-
1) 20th July – Arrive in New Chitose Airport in afternoon and stay a night booked at at Hoshimo Resorts Tomamu The Tower Hokkaido (Is is the same Tomamu resort you mentioned in your blog)
2) 21st July, early morning visit Unkai Terrace Then leave Tomamu for Furano – How do you recommend travelling to Furano – Rental car/Bus/Train??
I have booked n Furano Natulux Hotel for two nights 21st – 23rd July – Is this hotel a decent location to explore and see flower farms (The primary reason for which I am visiting Hokkaido). What should be the order of visiting the farms (Lavaneder farms is the one I must see )
3) 23rd Leave for Sapporo, halt at Asahikawa ramen village. Check in Hotel Hokke club sapporo, explore for one and half day and leave on 24th evening.
Is this itinerary good enough? I earnestly look forward to your comments and suggestions to improve. All my hotel bookings can be changed. Many Thanks
Anand
Hi Anand,
Would you please check your email inbox? I have replied your message there.
Wishing you all the best, thank you so much!
Hello Takkhis, I’m planning a trip to Hokkaido with my friends in early July but we cannot drive… If we’ll like to visit Furano, Biei, Otaru, Jozankei for onsen, can you recommend a way for us to travel between these places without self-drive?
Hello Sam, I hope you are doing fine. There is no problem when you can’t drive yourself. There are buses and trains to get to the sights you wish to visit. For example, you can get to Otaru from Sapporo (along the JR Hakodate Main Line) by train from Sapporo station. While on the other hand, you can take the bus the to get to Jozankei Onsen. Please visit here for more: http://jozankei.jp/en/access
Contact me again if you have any doubt about this matter. Thanks a lot.
Hi Takkhis, thanks for your informative blog! Is late June a good time to visit, or is it too early for summer/flowers?
Hello, thanks for visiting this post. If you are serious about witnessing impressive summer flower fields in Furano & Biei areas, I would like you to get there in mid July. Even if you can’t make it at that time, then try visiting these two areas in early July. I hope this helps. Thank you. 🙂
Hi Takkhis, will be travelling with 2 other girl friends this July. Do you think it’s okay for for us to drive ourselves since this is our first time to Hokkaido?
Hi Jane, I hope you are doing great!
Why not? Everyone likes it here. And if you are a good driver then nothing could stop you. Make sure you follow the traffic rules. Learn where and how to rent a car in Japan here. All the best!