Wander Through Hokkaido’s Lavender Purple Fields of Floral Splendor Woven in Summer

Text by Li Xinyi, MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network; Compiled & Reported; Source: Moleskine Editorial Department

When the lavender in Furano, Hokkaido, bursts into bloom in summer, it seems as if even the air turns into a romantic shade of purple carrying a delicate fragrance. Beyond lavender, as the weather warms up, beautiful wildflowers such as lilies, poppies, lupines, and cosmos begin to bloom along the roadsides of Biei and Furano, and even on the streets and in parks of Sapporo, adding vibrant colors full of festive cheer to Hokkaido’s short summer.

Biei and Furano, which have almost become synonymous with the image of Hokkaido, are not actually that close to each other despite being considered part of the same region; traveling from Biei to Furano spans around eight JR stations of various sizes. In Biei, the rolling hills and pastoral scenery change with the seasons — the fresh greens of late spring, the white potato blossoms of summer, the golden hues of ripe wheat in autumn, and the endless expanse of silver-white snowfields in winter. The poetry of the northern seasons unfolds here.

Beyond the summer-only lavender, Furano also showcases a variety of cultivated wildflowers from different farms from mid-June to early September. The area also features attractions such as the Forest Elf Terrace, filming locations from northern Japan, a cheese workshop, and a wine workshop, all offering a glimpse into local life in Furano.

Biking & Strolling: Encounter Romantic Flower Fields in Biei

The undulating fields divided into colorful patches, the shadows of trees on the hills, and the massive hay rolls in autumn evoke images of pastoral scenery in European villages. This unique natural canvas has been captured through the eyes of photographers, becoming iconic sights known to many. Every year, numerous visitors come specially to fulfill their longing for tranquil countryside, wandering through the landscape on foot, by car, or — most popularly — by bicycle.

Biei is divided into two main sightseeing routes centered around JR Biei Station: the Quilted Road and the Ultra Wide Angle Road. Depending on your schedule and preferences, you can choose your ideal itinerary. The small restaurants and cafes nestled in the fields are also quite appealing.

Quilted Road

Centered around JR Biei Station, the northern Quilted Road is a popular spot for advertisements. Starting from the Four Seasons Information Center in front of the station, you can loop around Flower Field Hill, Ken & Mary’s Tree, Seven Star Tree, Parent and Child Tree, Mild Seven Hill, and North West Hill Outlook Park, eventually returning to Biei Station. This route stretches 18.3 kilometers. Because the terrain consists of rolling hills, it takes about five hours to walk at a leisurely pace (excluding meal time), or roughly two hours by bike. Among them, the North West Hill Outlook Park, represented by its snow-white pyramid-shaped observation deck, covers an area of 5 hectares. The park is home to lavender, sunflowers, cosmos, and other wildflowers, and the outlook deck offers sweeping views of Biei’s rolling hills and the distant Daisetsuzan Mountain Range.