Overview
Furano is a city in Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture noted for its lavender fields, such as Farm Tomita with views of Mount Tokachi. Besides lavender, poppies, lilies, and sunflowers also grow in the Nakafurano area.
Description
Furano is one of Japan's most inland towns and considered the center of Hokkaidō – a distinction that has earned it the cute nickname Heso-no-machi (Belly-Button Town). It is equally attractive in summer and winter: summers are almost hot (but not quite) and there are fields of flowers, farm-fresh produce, and ice-cream stand to be enjoyed, plus plenty of opportunities for walking, hiking, and cycling. Winters, on the other hand, are very cold – resulting in extreme amounts of powdery snow. Furano is one of the country's top skiing and snowboarding destinations, though it lacks the international recognition of rival Niseko.