Famous for its lavender, Farm Tomita is one of the most iconic flower fields in Hokkaido's Furano area. When people think of summer in Furano, they think of lavender, and Farm Tomita is so renowned that it draws crowds of tourists from both Japan and abroad. While lavender is the main attraction, a variety of other flowers also bloom in abundance, painting the gentle slopes of the farm with vibrant colors.

This article is a detailed guide for first-time visitors, covering what Farm Tomita is like, the best times to go, when the lavender is in full bloom, and other highlights and ways to enjoy your visit.

Seasonal flowers, including lavender, bloom in abundance.

Farm Tomita is located in Nakafurano Town, which borders Furano City, the central hub of the Furano area. The sight of fields painted purple with lavender and the gentle, refreshing aroma that drifts on the air is simply exhilarating. In addition to admiring the flower fields, visitors love the lavender potpourri souvenirs and the popular lavender-flavored soft-serve ice cream. First, let's briefly introduce what makes the famous Farm Tomita so special.

The best time to see the lavender is from late June to early August, with July being the absolute peak season. However, Farm Tomita cultivates many other types of flowers besides lavender, so you can enjoy a colorful landscape even if you visit outside the peak lavender season. Typically, the flower fields are a delight to see from late April to early October.

From the official Farm Tomita website

You can get to Farm Tomita by car, bus, or train. During the peak lavender season, both the parking lots and trains can get very crowded. It's not uncommon for roads near the farm to be congested with cars and buses waiting to park, especially on weekends and holidays in July. It's a good idea to allow plenty of time for your visit. We recommend taking the seasonal JR Furano-Biei Norokko Train. It's very convenient as it stops at a temporary station right near Farm Tomita.

Visiting by Car

Parking is free with no time limits, which is great because you can take your time without worrying about fees. On the other hand, the parking lots get very crowded during the lavender season, and you may have to wait in line, especially on weekends.

Visiting by Bus

You can take the Furano Bus "Rapid Lavender-go" or use one of the various tour buses.

Visiting by Train

Take the JR Furano Line. The main station is Nakafurano Station, but during the summer and on weekends, the temporary Lavender-Farm Station opens near Farm Tomita. Please note that only the special Furano-Biei Norokko Train stops at this temporary station. This train is very convenient for sightseeing in Furano and Biei, so if you're visiting on a day it's running, be sure to use it. Both reserved and non-reserved seats are available.

Lavender ice cream sold at the farm.

Believe it or not, admission to Farm Tomita is free! Parking is also free, so it costs nothing to simply visit and see the flowers. The costs of maintaining the flowers and facilities are covered by the revenue from souvenirs and food sold on-site, not by admission fees. In return for enjoying the beautiful flower fields for free, be sure to buy some souvenirs and enjoy the sweets and meals available.

The types of flowers and peak blooming seasons vary by field.

Here are all the must-see spots at Farm Tomita! The main attraction is, of course, the flower fields. From the fields painted entirely in purple lavender to the vibrant, colorful flower beds, Farm Tomita offers a diverse range of scenery. From the many fields, we'll introduce the best spots to see lavender and other colorful flowers.

Farm Tomita has several fields covered in a sea of purple lavender. Different varieties of lavender bloom at slightly different times; the earliest bloom in late June, while the latest can be seen until early August. Each field features different varieties, so the best lavender field to see will change depending on when you visit. Here's a brief introduction to the features of each field.

Sakiwai Field

Located near the center of the farm, this is a field that almost every visitor will see. Sakiwai Field grows four different varieties of lavender, each with its own peak blooming time. The shades of purple also differ by variety, creating a beautiful purple gradation when the four types are lined up.

Traditional Lavender Field

The Traditional Lavender Field is the origin of Farm Tomita and the very reason Furano became famous for lavender. This landscape gained national attention when it was featured on a Japan National Railways calendar in 1976, leading to a surge of tourists. Viewing from the bottom of the slope, you'll see a beautiful purple carpet against the blue sky. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Furano Basin's rural landscape and the Tokachi Mountain Range. If you're lucky, you might even see a train passing through the countryside.

Forest Lavender Field

This lavender field is surrounded by trees. It features two varieties: on the left (viewed from the bottom) is "Noushi Hayazaki," which blooms from late June to mid-July, and on the right is "Okamurasaki," which blooms from early July to early August. If you visit from early to mid-July, you'll be treated to the magnificent sight of both in full bloom!

Late Blooming Lavandin Field

This field cultivates "Lavandin," the latest-blooming variety at Farm Tomita. While most lavender is at its best from early to mid-July, this variety reaches its peak in late July and beyond. It's a great spot for those who can't take time off in July but can visit in August.

Farm Tomita isn't just about lavender fields. A wide variety of flowers bloom from spring to autumn. Here are four of the most spectacular flower fields, along with their features and best viewing times.

Hanabito Field

Located right in front of the main entrance, this is one of the first fields most visitors see. Its main feature is the long period during which you can enjoy a variety of flowers, from spring through autumn. Violas and moss phlox bloom in spring, followed by salvia and marigolds from early summer to early autumn. You can also see Lavandin (a type of lavender) here from late July to mid-August.

Irodori Field

This is one of Farm Tomita's most iconic fields, often used in promotional photos—you may have seen it before. A seven-color gradation of flowers, including purple lavender, pink komachiso, and white baby's breath, adorns the gentle slope of the hill. If you visit Farm Tomita, this field is an absolute must-see.

Forest Irodori Field

This flower field spreads across a mountainside surrounded by a coniferous forest, where you can admire colorful flowers like lavender and poppies. In July, when the flowers are at their peak, the deep green of the forest backdrop makes the vibrant colors of the flowers stand out even more. The view from the top of this long, narrow field is exhilarating! You can look down on the Forest Irodori Field and Irodori Field, with the peaks of the Tokachi Mountain Range visible in the distance.

Mountain Irodori Field

This is one of the fields located in the innermost part of Farm Tomita, giving it a hidden-gem feel as if it suddenly appeared in the middle of the forest. In this space surrounded by green trees, a vibrant carpet of flowers, mainly poppies in shades of red, white, and pink, spreads out before you.

At Potpourri House, you can enjoy light meals on the terrace while viewing the flower fields and the Tokachi Mountain Range.

Dotted around Farm Tomita are numerous buildings, called "ie" (houses), including souvenir shops and cafes. They are filled with attractions, from an array of tempting lavender products to sweets infused with a subtle lavender aroma and meals made with local Furano ingredients! They're also the perfect spots to take a break while exploring the flower fields. Here are a few of the many houses you can visit.

You'll find a wide variety of original products made with lavender. The selection is vast, with items that let you enjoy the refreshing scent of lavender, including lavender oil, distilled water, air fresheners, candles, perfumes, colognes, soaps, skincare products, cosmetics, bath additives, and dried flowers. These products are sold in several shops, and here are three of them.

Hanabito House

This building stands out with its large triangular roof.

This is the welcome house located near the main entrance of Farm Tomita, overlooking the Hanabito Field. The shop on the first floor sells a variety of original Farm Tomita products, including potpourri. On the second floor, you can watch a video about the history of lavender cultivation in Japan and Farm Tomita, and even try a free experience where you make a scented bookmark from lavender oil. It's a place where you can shop and learn about the history of lavender at the same time.

Dried Flower House

The arrangements inside the building are designed to evoke the image of a Hokkaido spring.

Located next to Hanabito House, this facility showcases dried flower arrangements. Step inside, and you'll be amazed by the sheer number of dried flower arrangements that cover the interior! Every corner is picturesque. There's also a photo spot, so you can capture a memorable picture. Various arrangements, including wreaths made from dried lavender, are also for sale.

Distillery House

There's an easy-to-understand sign in front of the factory explaining the distillation process.

This is the distillery where essential oil is extracted from lavender, and it's open for visitors to observe. Around July, during the lavender harvest season, you can watch the staff use the still to extract amber-colored essential oil from the purple lavender. In the summer, lavender oil and lavender distilled water, a byproduct of the distillation process, are also available for purchase.

There are also shops where you can enjoy things like cut Furano melon.

There are shops where you can enjoy treats like lavender soft-serve ice cream, melon soft-serve, and melon bread, as well as others that serve dishes like curry with Hokkaido vegetables, buttered potatoes, and gratin and gnocchi supervised by a famous restaurant. Depending on the season, nearly ten shops offer cafe menus and sweets. Here are three of the main ones.

Forest House

The lavender soft-serve at Farm Tomita is a must-try!

A scenic spot open only when the lavender is in bloom.

This building with an observation deck is located right in front of the Irodori Field and sells lavender soft-serve ice cream and lavender soda. Climb the stairs to the deck for a panoramic view of the Irodori Field and more! It's a fantastic photo spot you won't want to miss. With a forest behind the building providing plenty of shade, it's also the perfect place to take a break on a hot day.

Café René

A set with gratin made from overwintered May Queen potatoes from Kamifurano and curry.

Cream sauce gnocchi made with overwintered Danshaku potatoes from Kamifurano.

If you're looking for a place to sit down and have a proper meal, this is it! Located next to Hanabito House, this sunlit, glass-walled café offers a menu supervised by the owner-chef of "valore," a famous natural food restaurant in Biei Town, as well as a variety of dishes featuring local Furano ingredients and lavender. In winter, the glass-walled café closes, and it operates as "Hanabito no Ie René" inside Hanabito House.

Potpourri House

Hokkaido seasonal vegetable curry.

Buttered potatoes made with overwintered Danshaku potatoes from Kamifurano.

This is the perfect spot if you want to enjoy a meal and a view of the flower fields at the same time! This log house near the Traditional Lavender Field has a shop selling original Farm Tomita products and a café with a terrace overlooking the fields. You can savor dishes like spicy curry made with seasonal Hokkaido vegetables, buttered potatoes and croquettes made with overwintered Danshaku potatoes, gnocchi supervised by valore, and lavender soft-serve ice cream, all while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Hanabito Field in May.

At Farm Tomita, you can enjoy vibrant flower fields from spring to autumn. The flowers in bloom change with the seasons, and the surrounding scenery also transforms, from lingering snow in spring to beautiful autumn foliage. The lavender season is extremely popular, so here are some tips for a more relaxed visit. Read on for a brief guide.

In the Spring Irodori Field, various flowers bloom from mid-May to late June.

At Farm Tomita, spring flowers typically begin to bloom around Golden Week. Many flowers, including Iceland poppies, are at their best from spring to early summer, creating a colorful landscape even before the lavender starts to turn purple in mid-June. Until around late May, the Tokachi Mountain Range, which towers beyond the rural landscape, is still capped with snow. On a clear day, the view of the flower fields with the snowy mountains is incredibly picturesque.

This is when the lavender turns purple and reaches its peak, making it the busiest time of year at Farm Tomita. The absolute best time for lavender viewing is around mid-July, when both the early- and late-blooming varieties are in full bloom.

Expect traffic jams for parking

The farm gets extremely crowded, and on weekends, the line of cars waiting for parking can stretch endlessly down the road. Getting stuck in a parking jam can be frustrating and disrupt your travel plans. To avoid the wait and enjoy a more relaxed visit, it's best to arrive as early as possible in the morning.

The Furano-Biei Norokko Train is also recommended

The temporary JR Furano Line train, the "Furano-Biei Norokko-go," will also be running, making access from the nearby temporary "Lavender-Farm" Station highly recommended. This is a popular train, so if you want to be sure of a seat, book a reserved seat in advance.

The Autumn Irodori Field blooms from early June to early October.

While the purple hues of lavender may be gone, colorful flowers like begonias, marigolds, and salvias shine against the autumn sky until around mid-October. In October, the leaves of the surrounding trees change from green to yellow and orange, creating a beautiful contrast with the autumn foliage. After mid-October, the peaks of the distant Tokachi Mountain Range are often covered in a blanket of white snow. While Farm Tomita is famous for its lavender, the deepening autumn scenery around October is another excellent time to visit.

Farm Tomita is like the holy grail of lavender tourism in the Furano region. Around July, when the lavender is at its peak, it bustles with travelers. However, one of the charms of Farm Tomita is that you can enjoy colorful flower fields from spring to autumn, not just during lavender season. The flowers you see change with the seasons, so even if you've visited before, you can enjoy a different atmosphere on a return trip. Plus, shopping for original lavender souvenirs is a delight, and the sweets and café menu are exquisite. If you're traveling to the Furano area, be sure to pay a visit.

(Photos courtesy of Farm Tomita)

Farm Tomita

■ Location: Kisen Kita 15-go, Nakafurano-cho
■ Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*Hours vary by season, please check the official website for details.
■ Closed: Open year-round
■ Admission: Free
Click here for details and map information for 'Farm Tomita'