Furano is famous for the spectacular lavender fields that transform the surrounding countryside into vibrant hues of purple. Lavender is not indigenous to Hokkaido, but due to the cool continental climate, it has found its home here.
Lavender was originally a cash crop, grown for its oil which has many therapeutic and cosmetic uses. In the late 1960s, the demand for lavender oil dried up and many of the lavender farms went out of business. In the face of great economic difficulty, Tomita persevered and tended his fields as the other farms slowly disappeared. By 1973, Farm Tomita was the only lavender farm to remain in the Furano area.
Tomita’s perseverance would be rewarded when a freelance photographer submitted a photo of the breathtaking lavender fields to the Japan Rail Calendar in 1976. This created a sudden boom of tourists from mainland Japan, revitalized the local economy and sparked central Hokkaido’s tourist industry. Today, Farm Tomita has expanded to a year-round flower park featuring hundreds of varieties of live and dry flowers in indoor and outdoor gardens.
Map of Farm Tomita. Farm is really huge!!
Hanibito field with its California poppies, Clovenlip toadflax, marigolds and other flowers welcomes visitors.
Panoramic view of Hanibito field.
Hanibito house in the background and this is where you can take a break or grab a light snack at the cafe or buy souvenirs at the gift shop.
Farm Tomita is free to enter and you can wander around at your own pace.
Irodori field (aka Rainbow field) is the most popular site of the farm.
Starting with the purple of lavender, seven colors of different flowers paint a rainbow on this gentle hill.
AG even managed to capture a dragonfly resting on a stalk of lavender using my DSLR camera.
I'm really impressed!
I'm really impressed!
Freshly cut lavender stalks are available for you to buy home too.
In Autumn field, you can enjoy the many colors of Sage, Cosmos and the bright pink of the Cleome.
Sea of lavender. Soooo beautiful!
In Sakiwai field, you can see four different types of lavender here: Okamurasaki, Yotei, Hanamoiwa, and the dark purple Noushihayazaki.
Lavender flavoured soft-serve ice cream bought from the cafe. 200 Yen. Pretty yummy.
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