2025 Sorachi District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

🗺️🗺️ 【Travel Itinerary】 Day 1: Chitose - Biei Day 2: Biei - Furano ✅ Day 3: Biei - Otaru Day 4: Otaru - Sapporo Day 5: Sapporo Day 6: Sapporo - Chitose 📍📍【Recommended Attractions】 Shirogane Blue Pond Area Shirohige no Taki Waterfall Furano Cheese Factory Farm Tomita Nakafurano Flower Park 🏠🏠【Recommended Accommodation】 Airbnb 📣📣【Photo Spots】 Shirogane Blue Pond Area Shirohige no Taki Waterfall How to get there: Take bus numbers 39 or 42 from Biei Station. Note: Buses only accept cash payments. IC transportation cards and credit cards are not accepted. 📷📷 【Photo Spots】 Furano Cheese Factory How to get there: Ride a bicycle for about 3 km (approximately 15 minutes) from Furano Station. Note: They sell ice cream and pizza, and their dairy products are fresh and delicious. 📷📷 【Photo Spots】 Farm Tomita How to get there: 10 minutes from Lavender Station. Note: You can enjoy the beautiful lavender hills and purchase lavender-themed products. 📷📷 【Photo Spots】 Nakafurano Flower Park How to get there: 20-minute walk from Nakafurano Station. Note: In winter, it’s a place for skiing and sledding, but in summer, it transforms into a stunning flower field!

#summervacay **📍 Where?** Nakafurano, Hokkaido (2.5h from Sapporo) **🌸 Best Time?** **Mid-July** for peak lavender bloom & purple haze --- ### **✨ Why Visit Farm Tomita East?** - **Less Crowded** than the main farm, with the **same breathtaking views** - **Lavender Soft Serve Ice Cream** 🍦 – A must-try Hokkaido specialty - **Photo Paradise** – Endless rows of purple against Tokachi mountain backdrop - **Summer Festivals** – Live music, local crafts, and lavender workshops (July only) --- ### **🚆 Solo Traveler Access** 1. **From Sapporo:** - Take JR Furano Line to **Lavender Farm Station** (2.5h) - Or rent a car for flexibility (scenic Route 237 drive) 2. **From Furano:** - Local bus or taxi (15min) **💡 Pro Tip:** Buy the **Furano-Biei Free Pass** if exploring multiple farms! --- ### **🌞 Perfect Solo Itinerary** - **7:00 AM** – Sunrise among lavender (best lighting + no crowds) - **9:00 AM** – Lavender soft serve at **Farm Tomita Café** - **11:00 AM** – Walk to **Choei Lavender Farm** (10min away, even quieter) - **1:00 PM** – Picnic with Furano melon & local cheese - **3:00 PM** – Visit **Tomita Melon House** for sweet treats --- ### **📸 Best Photo Spots (Solo-Friendly!)** ✅ **Lavender East Slope** – Sweeping purple waves ✅ **Wooden Observation Deck** – Elevated Tokachi mountain views ✅ **Lavender & Sunflower Combo Field** (Late July-August) --- ### **💡 Essential Tips for Solo Travelers** ✔ **Pack light** – Sunscreen, hat, and a **mini tripod** for selfies ✔ **Weekdays > Weekends** – Avoid tour groups ✔ **Check bloom status** on Farm Tomita’s website before going --- ### **🌿 Nearby Solo Adventures** - **Blue Pond (Biei)** – Surreal blue waters (1h drive) - **Furano Cheese Factory** – Free tastings! - **Ningle Terrace** – Forest craft village (evening fairy lights) --- ### **📌 Hashtags for Your Lavender Journey** #SoloJapan #HokkaidoLavender #FarmTomita #HiddenFurano #PurpleParadise --- **🌸 Solo Traveler’s Moment:** "Walking alone through endless lavender, the sweet scent in the air, and the distant hum of bees—this is summer magic in Hokkaido." **Will you chase the lavender or the ice cream first?** 🍦💜 Comment below!

#0 yen trip "Tada Butcher Shop" in Kamifurano Town is a long-established butcher shop founded in 1962. Their "Pork Sagari" (pork cutlet) which they have been selling since the 1960s is a delicacy that has been loved by locals for many years. Their handmade sausages made with locally produced ingredients are also popular and are recommended as souvenirs. Access: About 5 minutes on foot from JR Kamifurano Station. "

#0yentravel "Located on the border between Minamifurano and Shintoku, Karikachi Pass Observatory is a spectacular spot with a panoramic view of the Tokachi Plain from an altitude of 644m. It was also chosen as one of the "New Eight Views of Japan" in 1927, and you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Shintoku Station."

Beautiful purple lavender💜 #Hokkaido #Furano #FarmTomita #farmtomita

#December Travel Support Event **Palm Tomita Tour Review** Palm Tomita had a really beautiful lavender field. The fragrant lavender and colorful flower fields were the perfect place to take pictures. The trails were well-maintained, so I was able to take a leisurely walk and enjoy nature, and the souvenir shop where I could buy lavender-related products was also interesting. **Melon Review** The melon I tasted at Farm Tomita was sweet and juicy, so I couldn't help but be amazed. I could really enjoy the fresh fruit flavor, and it was perfect as a dessert after a meal. **Lavender Ice Cream Review** The lavender ice cream was characterized by its subtle lavender scent and soft texture. The flower scent was not too strong, so I could enjoy it refreshingly, and it was perfect as a cool dessert on a hot day. It was the perfect choice to feel the characteristics of Farm Tomita.

#December Travel Support Event The pork cutlet I had at Farm Tomita was delicious with the harmony of crispy batter and soft meat. In particular, the sauce was moderately sweet and salty, which brought out the flavor of the meat well. The salad that came with it was also fresh and clean, so it went well with the meal. The lavender drink had a unique scent and a subtle sweetness, which made it refreshing to enjoy on a hot day. The lavender scent was not strong, so anyone could drink it without feeling burdened, and drinking it while looking at the lavender field at Farm Tomita felt like a special experience. It was a satisfying time for both the food and the atmosphere.

#December Travel Support Event I visited Sapporo Farm Tomita, and the endless lavender fields were truly fantastic. Various flowers bloomed in each season, creating a rich color, and especially the scent of lavender carried by the wind was healing in itself. I tasted lavender ice cream at the cafe in the farm, and it was a special experience because it was fragrant and soft. The souvenir shop had a variety of lavender-related products, so it was good for gifts. It was the perfect place to spend a peaceful time in nature.

The exterior of this pizza shop is lovely. The interior also has a warm atmosphere. The pizzas are 10 inches (26-27 cm), and if you can't finish it, you can take it away, but you can have one per person. The most popular dishes are the Genovese pizza, of which only 10 are available per day, and the Quattro Formaggi. I was attracted by the anchovies, so I ordered the Pizza Romana. The olives and fresh basil add a nice accent and make it delicious. I also ordered cheesecake for dessert. It was a rare cheesecake. I was wondering whether to have a cafe latte, but it seemed more like an au lait than a latte, so I had some red wine with it. The food was delicious, but the wife's personality was very nice and we had a lot of fun talking together. [cafe seizan] Address: 617-21 Ikutora, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido 079-2400 Telephone number: 0167-52-3339 #HokkaidoTourism#HokkaidoTrip#HokkaidoGourmet#Minamifurano

The only restaurant in Minamifurano that serves breakfast. Breakfast is served from 6:30 to 9:00. This cafe is amazing! Even the Hokkaido squirrels come to eat breakfast! After 7:30, they may get full and go out, so if you want to enjoy your meal while watching the Hokkaido squirrels, you must get up early! You can see the Hokkaido squirrels from up close, though only through the window. By the way, there are also dogs in cages inside the cafe. The only breakfast menu is the morning set (1,500 yen)! It is a set of hot dog, salad, yogurt, and soup. The latte after the meal was also very delicious. Looking at the menu, the lunch was also attractive. There are almost no Thai restaurants in Hokkaido, but I found Khao Man Gai! Amazing! In addition, although it seems that it is not open at night at this time of year, it also serves motsunabe because the owner is from Fukuoka. Since motsunabe is hard to find in Hokkaido, I thought it was an attractive cafe no matter when you go from morning to night. [Svalbard Cafe] Address: 260-2 Ikutori, Minamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido 079-2403 Phone number: 0167-56-7810 #HokkaidoTourism#Minamifurano #HokkaidoTrip #HokkaidoGourmet

Tokachidake Onsen in Tokachidake, Hokkaido. I came to Yumoto Ryounkaku, a secret hot spring with lukewarm water for climbers. It's 8 degrees in early September, so it's cold. The famous lukewarm water flows from a 30 degree hot spring. It was too cold at night, so I couldn't go in. The bathing while looking at the majestic Tokachidake is ranked in various categories such as lukewarm water, spectacular views, and snow scenery in the Nikkei rankings. It was also used in the movie "From the North Country." On the way back, I had miso ramen and soft serve ice cream at New Chitose Airport! (It takes about 3 hours to get there, so please allow yourself plenty of time.) #besttrip2023

Address - Kisen Kita 15-go, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido 071-0704 TEL +81-167-39-3939 FAX +81-167-39-3111 Avg. Price per Person - free From Asahikawa Airport On National Highway 237・・・45 min. From New Chitose Airport On the Doto Expressway (exit at the Shimkappu IC)・・・2.5 hr. From downtown Sapporo On the Doo Expressway (exit at the Mikasa IC)・・・2.5 hr. Note: Please do not park on public roads or in the tour bus parking lots. Lavender East is 4 km (7 min. by car) from Farm Tomita Nakafurano" is the closest bus stop; it is served by Furano Bus. Furano Bus (Kaisoku Lavender-go) 8 round-trip departures/day Furano Bus Lavender-go ▶ JR Asahikawa Sta. ⇔ Nakafurano.　・・・ 1 hr. 25 min. (800 yen/one way) Asahikawa Airport ⇔ Nakafurano　・・・ 48 min. (690 yen/one way) JR Furano Sta. ⇔ Nakafurano　・・・ 12 min. (260 yen/one way) Walk 25 min. from Nakafurano or take a taxi. Nakafurano Hire (taxi): Phone 0167-44-2331, a 5-min. ride from Nakafurano bus stop. Chuo Bus (Kosoku Furano-go) 10 round-trip departures/day "Kosoku Furano-go" operated by Hokkaido Chuo Bus ▶ Sapporo Station Bus Terminal ⇔ Furano Bus Terminal・・・ 2.5 hr. (2,500 yen/one way) Ride Furano Bus, JR or taxi from Furano JR Sta. Furano Taxi: Phone 0167-22-5001, a 15-min. ride from Furano Bus Terminal Note: For details, including timetables, locations of bus stops and return trip discounts, refer to the websites of the respective bus operator. Lavender Farm Sta. on the JR Furano Line is a 7-min. walk from Farm Tomita. For details, please refer to the page "Lavender Farm Station (Norokko-go)". Nakafurano Sta. on the JR Furano Line is about a 25-min. walk from Farm Tomita. Sapporo Sta. ⇔ Takikawa Sta. ⇔ Furano Sta. ⇔ Nakafurano Sta. Sapporo JR Limited Express Kamui, etc. (about 55 min.) Takikawa JR Nemuro Trunk Line (about 1 hr. 10 min.) Furano JR Furano Line (about 10 min.) Nakafurano 4,340 yen/one way (Including fee for limited express non-reserved seat: 1,150 yen) #japan #hokkaido