A Journey to Enjoy Furano Lavender, Ueno Farm, and Asahiyama Zoo

Purpose of the Trip The theme of this trip is to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Hokkaido, including Furano's lavender fields, the beautiful Ueno Farm in Asahikawa, and Asahiyama Zoo! Schedule Day 1 Fly from Haneda to Asahikawa Airport. Although booked with ANA, the flight is operated by ADO. A dedicated airport bus takes about 30–40 minutes to reach Asahikawa city center. I stayed at Super Hotel Asahikawa, where I first dropped off my luggage before heading to "Kibana no Mori" in Asahikawa. This spot offers free factory tours, a cozy café, and sells fresh cakes and other sweets, making it a great place to buy souvenirs. Super Hotel Asahikawa features a small natural hot spring bath sourced directly from Frontier Furano Onsen. However, the baths are gender-segregated on a rotating schedule, which might be inconvenient for couples. Women's hours are 3:00 PM–5:50 PM, 9:00 PM–10:50 PM, and 8:00 AM–9:50 AM the next morning. I checked in at 3:00 PM and immediately enjoyed the bath. After relaxing in my room, I went to "Jingisukan Daikokuya 5-chome Branch" for dinner. This popular restaurant offers counter seating for solo diners, which had a relatively quick turnover. Back at the hotel, I enjoyed the complimentary welcome bar available daily from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, followed by another soak in the hot spring at 9:00 PM. Day 2 The hotel provides a complimentary Japanese-Western buffet breakfast from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM, featuring Hokkaido specialties like soup curry and Secoma yogurt. Women can also use the hot spring from 8:00 AM to 9:50 AM, so I took another bath before heading out. I had booked the "Asahikawa Patchwork Course" day tour, which departs from Asahikawa Station at 9:50 AM—a relatively relaxed start. The tour included: - Patchwork Road (viewed from the bus) - Hokusei-no-Oka Observatory (20-minute stop) - Roller Coaster Road (viewed from the bus) - Panorama Road Ehana (viewed from the bus) - Farm Tomita (80-minute stop) - Shirogane Blue Pond (40-minute stop) - Shirahige Falls (20-minute stop) - Biei Shrine (15-minute stop) The tour returned to Asahikawa Station around 5:00 PM. For dinner, I tried "Shinko-yaki," a local soul food consisting of a grilled half chicken, at "Yakitori Ginneko." I opted for takeout and enjoyed it in my room. Of course, I also made use of the hotel's welcome bar and hot spring again that evening. Day 3 After breakfast at the hotel, I took a bus from Asahikawa Station to Ueno Farm. The garden was stunning, with beautiful roses and a serene atmosphere. The on-site café is perfect for brunch or lunch. From there, I transferred buses to visit Asahiyama Zoo. The zoo's concept of showcasing animals' natural behaviors was delightful, with highlights including red pandas, seals, and penguins. After returning to Asahikawa Station by bus, I picked up my luggage and headed to the airport. At the airport, I enjoyed Hokkaido specialties like ramen before flying back home. Transportation Tourist spots in Asahikawa are far apart. As a solo traveler, I found it challenging to drive long distances, so I joined a bus tour, which was an excellent choice. The tour cost around 8,000 yen. Asahikawa's bus network is fairly well-developed, but note that buses to Ueno Farm are infrequent, while those to the zoo are more frequent. Accommodation I stayed at Super Hotel Asahikawa, which is suitable for solo female travelers. However, the gender-segregated hot spring schedule might not be ideal for families or couples. The free breakfast, drink bar, and the option to choose five amenities per night were enjoyable perks. Tips Both the lavender fields and Ueno Farm are outdoor attractions, so bad weather can be a challenge. Lavender has a specific season, so check the timing carefully if you want to see it in full bloom. Instagram-Worthy Spots Shirahige Falls, Shirogane Blue Pond, and Farm Tomita.