Furano offers a variety of reasons to visit: long, challenging runs at Furano Ski Resort, summer walks among lavender blooms, and rafting on the Sorachi River. There are also hands-on activities, wine tastings, and a festival held on fixed dates in July. Two questions can help with planning: When would you like to travel, and which experience should shape your stay?
Hillside scenery around Mount Tokachi
Furano is a vast hilly landscape that stretches up to Mount Tokachi. The town is part of Furano-Ashibetsu Nature Park and lies on the Sorachi River. The landscape is therefore more than a backdrop for individual activities: the hills, mountain, and river are among the destination’s defining geographical features. When exploring Furano, you can choose your focus based on whether you are more drawn to a walk, a ski run, or an activity on the water.
Summer trails and ski runs
In summer, Furano Lavender-no-Mori offers walks among fragrant purple lavender blooms. This is a clearly seasonal experience: a lavender walk belongs in summer travel plans. Furano Ski Resort offers a different kind of experience, with long, fast, and challenging runs. These two options appeal to different interests and travel seasons. If you are just beginning to plan your trip, lavender fields or ski runs can therefore provide a concrete starting point for choosing when to travel.
River, workshops, and wine
Rafting trips on the Sorachi River are available in Furano. A journey down the river is the main attraction, making this outdoor activity quite different from experiences on land. At the Furano Cheese Factory, hands-on workshops offer the chance to make butter, ice cream, and cheese. This is about more than just watching—you can take part. Furano Winery, in turn, offers winery tours and wine tastings. The options range from a river activity to making something yourself to a tour with a tasting. Consider whether you would like to include an active outing, a workshop, or a tour in your itinerary.
July festival and woodland crafts
The Hokkai-Heso Festival takes place every year on July 28 and 29 in Furano’s shopping street. If you plan to travel on these dates, you can use the festival as a fixed point in your schedule; the exact program may vary. Check the program for your travel year before your trip. Another cultural highlight is Ningle Terrace, a woodland craft village designed by Sō Kuramoto, with 14 small arts and crafts shops. When planning your dates, take its season-dependent opening details into account if you would like to schedule a visit.
Getting around town
Furano Marche is in the town area of Furano, about a seven-minute walk from Furano Station. This approximate walking time provides a useful point of reference for getting your bearings around the station. The Kururu Bus runs a loop to various attractions within Furano and returns to the station. Bus service may be seasonal, so check the schedule for your travel dates if you plan to include the route in your itinerary. This lets you account for both getting your bearings at the station and the bus route described here, without mistaking the approximate walking time for a travel time by bus.
Discover more destinations: Saroma, Shakotan District, Suttsu, Koshimizu, Menashi District, Samani, Sapporo, Kenbuchi
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