visited Tomita farm in the morning to avoid excessive crowds and for easier parking. The lavender and flower fields composed into a colourful palette, as on posters 🙂
This was the most beautiful farm and not to be missed in peak lavender season.
Shikisai-no-oka
Not much lavender but colourful fields in stripes.
roll-kun at the entrance 🙂
Hinode-koen (Sunrise park)
The lavender was grown along the slopes of a small mount in Naka (middle) Furano. It’s a popular spot for wedding photos.
Lunch in Biei forest
a small hut inside the Biei forest serving Swiss style cuisine.
After visiting the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, drove to Abashiri-ko for onsen resort, while stopping by Saroma-ko, Notoro-ko en route. Each of these lakes are huge and almost indiscernible from the sea. On the next day, visited Kussharo-ko, Mashu-ko and Onneto while heading to Tokachigawa onsen.
Saroma-ko
Coral grass habitat in Notoro-ko
sunset view from Abashiri-ko onsen hotel
Abashiri-ko
Kussharo-ko
Mashu-ko
4th visit – lucky to have clear views
Onneto – 2nd visit
View from Tokachigawa onsen hotel
Tomita Farm
There were not many flowers blooming in Tomita Farm in end May, except for some poppies. The Hoshi Hayazaki (deep purple early blossom) Lavender grown in a small house was always an attraction, same for the dried flowers in the shop.
Hoshi Hayazaki lavender with fragrance
lots of dried flowers sets in shop
Daisetsuzan in Spring
Out of the several times we had visited Biei, this is the 1st time when Daisetsuzan could be seen so clearly in blue sky and not covered by clouds/mists. In fact, when we passed by Minami-Furano, it rained quite heavily. We also dropped by the blue bond before checking in an onsen hotel in Furano. Though it is beautiful, it is overrated in my opinion if compared with the lakes in Hokkaido East.
view from Senbo toge
Daisetsuzan in the distance
blue pond
view from Shiki-no-oka
Sapporo Moerenuma Park
This is another huge park in the north-eastern corner of the city. This park is a fusion of art and nature. Bicycles can be rented from the entrance.Â
The Sapporo Lilac Festival lasted from mid to late May. There were 2 venues but we went to the one in Odori Park only. During the weekends, there were live music performances, food stalls and wine bars offering fresh food and drinks. There were many people on that Sunday morning, all having a good time welcoming the arrival of Spring.
