Hokkaido turns purple in summer — here’s your hit list of the best spots to see (and smell) it.
When Hokkaido blooms into violet every summer, it’s not just a treat for the senses — it’s an entire experience. From the picturesque Furano flower fields to a Buddha rising from a sea of lavender in Sapporo and Biei’s technicolour blooms, this pocket guide leads you to the island’s most scenic and scent-sational spots.
Whether you’re after a photo op, a peaceful stroll, or just want to smell like a fancy soap commercial, here’s where to go.
Farm Tomita
Nakafurano, Hokkaido
Perfect for: A wanderlust-inducing lavender shot
If there’s one lavender field that defines Hokkaido summers, it’s Farm Tomita. The most famous of the Furano lavender fields, this iconic spot is known for its rolling lavender hills, vibrant flower beds, lavender soft serve, and cute little gift shops. Thanks to its location near the JR Norokko train line, it’s also one of the most accessible. Peak bloom is from early to mid-July, but the colours linger longer depending on the different lavender varieties.
Farm Tomita Lavender East
Kamifurano, Hokkaido
Perfect for: A less-trodden blooming gem
Just a short drive from the main Tomita Farm, Lavender East is the quieter sister site that often gets overlooked. It’s actually one of Japan’s largest lavender fields, with long, open rows stretching across the horizon. The vibe is more serene, with fewer crowds and tractor rides that loop around the fields. Come mid-July, it becomes the choice alternative for travellers craving space and uninterrupted views.
Read next: Looking for a Real-Life Wicked Experience? Visit Furano in Japan
Hinode Park Lavender Garden
Kamifurano, Hokkaido
Perfect for: A bit of romance after dark
Set on a hill in Kamifurano, this 4.2-hectare park offers sweeping views of both the Tokachi Mountains and the lavender fields below. It’s especially romantic at dusk, when the Lavender Festa Kamifurano transforms the garden with evening illuminations, live music, and fireworks (typically mid-July). The park also features a bell tower, a campground, and even cottages if you want to wake up to the scent of lavender.
Hokuseiyama Lavender Field
Furano, Hokkaido
Perfect for: Flower flânerie and a gondola ride
Part of the Furano Ski Resort in summer, this slope-side field offers one of the most unique lavender views — you can take a gondola up to see the flowers from above. Though not as large as Tomita Fram, it offers a refreshing alternative with sweeping panoramas and much fewer tourists. A fun stop if you’re exploring Furano and Biei with family or want something slightly off the usual flower-farm trail.
Read next: Furano Flower Fields in May, June: Farm Tomita, Shisikai no Oka, Zerubu Hill
Makomanai Takino Cemetery
Sapporo, Hokkaido
Perfect for: Lavender with an architectural twist
This may be the most unusual — and moving — lavender site in Hokkaido. Designed by revered architect Tadao Ando, the Hill of the Buddha sits at the heart of Makomanai Takino Cemetery, surrounded by 150,000 lavender plants. Visitors walk through a tunnel before emerging to see the Buddha’s head rising from the floral dome, creating a striking visual and spiritual experience. The lavender typically peaks around late July to early August, perfect if you’re visiting Sapporo later in the season.
Shikisai no Oka
Biei, Hokkaido
Perfect for: A flower-filled detour
Just next door to Furano, Biei’s Shikisai no Oka is a sprawling flower park where lavender shares the stage with colorful waves of poppies, marigolds, and sunflowers. Hop on a flower cart or walk the winding trails as you take in fields that change colour with the season. It’s especially stunning in July when the lavender blooms in Biei come to life against a painter’s palette of other flowers. If you’re headed toward the Biei Blue Pond or the scenic Patchwork Road, this makes an ideal stop along the way.
Quick Tips for Lavender Season:
- Peak bloom is usually from early to late July, depending on the spot
- Go early in the morning to beat the crowds and harsh sun (bring a hat, regardless)
- Renting a car makes field-hopping much easier
Try the lavender ice cream and other summer soft serves — definitely worth the calories
Smell ya later, city stress. Hokkaido’s lavender is calling. Flower tripping? Read these next:
12 Best Soft Serves and Ice Cream To Taste In Hokkaido
Furano Flower Fields in May, June: Farm Tomita, Shisikai no Oka, Zerubu Hill
Looking for a Real-Life Wicked Experience? Visit Furano in Japan