Farm Tomita: Furano's Famous Lavender Fields & Seasonal Flower Guide

Why Farm Tomita Is Hokkaido's Most Famous Flower Farm

Farm Tomita (ファーム富田) in Nakafurano (中富良野) is the image that defines Hokkaido summer — rolling purple lavender fields backed by the Tokachi mountain range under a wide blue sky. According to the official Farm Tomita site, the farm offers free admission year-round, with the lavender season running from late June through early August.

The farm started as a rice paddy that was converted to lavender cultivation, originally for perfume production. Today it draws visitors from across Japan and internationally, particularly during the peak bloom window of early to mid-July when the lavender fields reach full color. Beyond the lavender, the farm maintains colorful flower fields throughout summer and into autumn — poppies, marigolds, salvias, and baby's breath create rainbow-striped hillsides alongside the purple.

Admission is free. There is no ticket gate, no reservation needed. You walk in, explore the fields, eat lavender soft serve, and leave when you are ready. For more scenic destinations in Hokkaido, see our Hokkaido scenic view guide.

Seasonal Flower Calendar: When to Visit

June: Early Lavender and Lupine

Lavender begins blooming in late June, though the color is still building. Early lavender varieties (Noushi-Hayazaki) start first, while the main fields are still developing. Lupine flowers add purple and blue tones to other sections of the farm. Late June is the quietest time to visit — fewer crowds but less intense lavender color.

July: Peak Lavender Season

Early to mid-July is the peak window. The main lavender fields — including the Irodori Field (彩りの畑, "Colorful Field"), where lavender, poppies, and other flowers create rainbow stripes across the hillside — are at their most vivid. Komachi grass (こまちそう) blooms alongside lavender in vibrant pink, adding to the color contrast.

This is the busiest period. Weekends in July draw large crowds, particularly tour buses. Weekday mornings (before 11:00) offer the best balance of good light and manageable visitor numbers.

August-September: Late Flowers and Autumn Color

Lavender fades by mid-August, but the farm transitions to late-summer flowers — blue sage, dahlia, and marigolds carry the color into September. The Hanabito no Hata (花人の畑) field features a mix of annual flowers through the season.

Visiting in August or September means fewer crowds and a different palette — warmer yellows and oranges replacing the signature purple. The farm is open year-round, though winter offers only greenhouses and the gift shop.

Month	Key Flowers	Lavender Status	Crowds
Late June	Lupine, early lavender	Building	Low
Early-mid July	Full lavender, poppy, komachi grass	Peak bloom	High
Late July	Lavender, baby's breath	Still good	Moderate
August	Blue sage, dahlia, sunflower	Fading	Low-moderate
September	Marigold, cockscomb, sage	Done	Low

What to Do at Farm Tomita

Walking the Flower Fields

The main farm has multiple named fields, each with a different flower composition. The Irodori Field is the most photographed — stripes of lavender, red poppy, white baby's breath, and orange California poppy running up a gentle hillside. Walking paths connect all fields, and the full loop takes about 45-60 minutes at a relaxed pace.

A tractor-drawn cart offers rides through the fields for those who prefer not to walk the entire area. The farm is largely flat with gentle slopes — accessible for most visitors.

Lavender Soft Serve and Cafes

Lavender soft serve ice cream is the signature experience — a pale purple cone with a distinctive floral flavor that tastes exactly like the fields smell. Several on-site cafes serve it along with lavender tea, melon from nearby Furano farms, and light meals.

The cafes are busiest from 11:00-14:00 during peak season. Lines form but move quickly.

Gift Shop and Lavender Products

The farm's gift shops sell lavender soap, essential oil, potpourri, dried lavender bundles, and cosmetics — all produced from the farm's own lavender. The distillery on-site explains the extraction process. These products make practical souvenirs and are competitively priced compared to lavender products sold in Sapporo or airport shops.

Lavender East: The Expanded Field

Lavender East (ラベンダーイースト) is a separate, larger lavender field located 4 km east of the main farm. According to the official site, it is one of Japan's largest lavender-only fields, originally developed when the main farm's lavender production expanded for essential oil extraction.

The field is open from approximately June 20 to July 20 (9:30-16:30), free admission. The view here is more expansive — wide lavender fields with the Tokachi Mountains as backdrop and fewer structures in the frame. It is less crowded than the main farm and better for landscape photography.

Access requires a car or bicycle — there is no direct public transport. If you are combining Farm Tomita with Shirogane Blue Pond in nearby Biei, Lavender East is on the way. For Blue Pond photography tips, see our Blue Pond photography guide.

Getting to Farm Tomita from Sapporo and Asahikawa

By Train: JR and Seasonal Lavender Batake Station

From Sapporo, take the JR Limited Express to Furano or Nakafurano Station — approximately 2.5 hours. From Nakafurano Station, the farm is a 15-minute bus ride or taxi.

During summer flower season (typically mid-June to early August), JR Hokkaido operates the seasonal Lavender Batake Station (ラベンダーばたけ駅) — a temporary platform located directly in front of Farm Tomita. Check the JR Hokkaido website for exact operating dates, as they change annually.

From Asahikawa, JR trains to Nakafurano take approximately 1 hour.

By Car from Sapporo

The drive from Sapporo takes approximately 2.5 hours via the Hokkaido Expressway. Free parking is available at the farm with a large lot that accommodates peak-season crowds. Driving gives you the flexibility to combine Farm Tomita with Lavender East and the Biei flower roads in a single day.