You may associate cherry blossoms with Japan, but lavender? Yes, you may not know, but there is a stunning Horomitouge Lavender Garden (Yume Kobosato) in Furano, Sapporo. Seeds from France were imported in 1937, and planted here.
Today, there are over 5000 lavender plants. The garden is open from April to November, but I recommend you visit in summer, when they are in bloom and cover the hillsides with their distinctive deep color – it makes the hillside a really beautiful attraction. Purple as far as you can see! Of course, you’ll enjoy their relaxing scent too. With the view of Sapporo city in the background, it’s selfie time!
Before you leave, why not visit the shop? You can buy some lavender flowers or natural lavender oil to take home.
The fields are a 30 minute train ride away. From Sapporo Station, take the subway to Odori Station, switch to the Tozai subway line, and get off at the third station, Maruyama Koen Station. Then take a taxi to the fields. A one-way ride takes about 10-15 minutes and it cost me 1550 yen. It’s also possible to hike there from the station, but I recommend this only if you are fit. You can also hire a rental car for the 2-hour drive from Sapporo. Remember to program the GPS with the address for ‘Yume Kobo Sato’.
Address:471-110, Bankei, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido
Website: http://yumekoubousatou.com/lavender.htm
Phone: +81-11-622-5167
