A relaxing train ride to Nakafurano Station

After a 1-hour train ride from JR Asahikawa Station or a 50-minute bus ride from Asahikawa Airport, you finally arrive at Nakafurano Station. As you alight and walk towards the town, your heart fills up with excitement at the thought of the wonderful experiences waiting for you.

Crossing the warehouses built from Biei soft stone

As you exit the station and turn to the left, you will pass a series of warehouses built from Biei soft stone. From late June to late July, the roadside along the warehouses blooms with lavenders.

Lavenders that bloom even in winter?!

Located around 20 minutes on foot from the station is Farm Tomita, the only lavender garden in Hokkaido that is open all year round. In winter, you can see lavenders blooming inside greenhouses.

☆Lavender gardens within walking distance of Nakafurano Station:
Choei Lavender Park (10 mins), Nanaka-no-Hanabatake (10 mins), Farm Tomita (20 mins), Saika-no-Sato (25 mins)

Farm Tomita

This place has been cultivating lavenders since 1958. Besides the lavenders, you can see a variety of colorful flowers blooming from spring to autumn. Their original lavender products are also popular with visitors.

Sweets made from “Horafuki”, a local Japanese sake

After enjoying the lavenders, you can take another 20-minute walk towards the town. At Maeno Shoten, a liquor shop established over 100 years ago, you can buy “Horafuki”, a local sake made from Nakafurano Yukihikari rice. They also make and sell various sweets made from sakekasu lees.

Maeno Shoten

The shop is marked with a brown banner that says “sakekasu sweets” in Japanese. They sell local sake and other kinds of liquor. You can also see and touch several hyotan gourds displayed inside the shop.

Take a break in a cafe with a retro atmosphere

The next stop on your stroll is Original Blend Bell, a cafe with a distinctive yellow sign. The friendly couple who own the place will welcome you with a smile, and you can relax with a cup of original blend coffee.

Original Blend Bell

The owner has carefully blended and prepared each cup for over 40 years. You can also enjoy spaghetti, Hamburg steak, and other dishes.

Wandering from shop to shop for snacks, tofu, miso, and soy sauce

After re-energizing yourself, you can go and explore the neighboring shops. At Fukushima Shoten, you can find a wide variety of traditional snacks and candies. You’ll have a hard time choosing which one to buy!

In the corner across the street, you will find a small tofu shop. They sell fresh and deep-fried tofu made from pure water and Hokkaido soybeans. Some of their products get sold out soon after they open for the day.

Lastly, at Takemoto Jozomoto, you can find miso paste and soy sauce made using traditional techniques. Sprinkle their soy sauce on some fresh tofu from the previous shop to make for a delicious treat.

Fukushima Shoten

A shop with a large selection of traditional snacks. You can also find an antique cash register when you pay for your purchases.

Otsuka Tofu Shop

Their flavorful tofu products are made from Hokkaido soybeans and black beans. They are also popular for their large serving sizes.

Takemoto Jozomoto

A long-established miso and soy sauce shop currently on its 3rd-generation owner. Their products have become a household name for the locals. They even accept orders by fax.

Enjoy lunch at a French restaurant popular with the locals

When you grow hungry after all the walking, you’ll come across Chevre, a lovely French restaurant. As you go inside, you’ll find the season’s menu written on a blackboard. They serve beautifully prepared dishes made with fresh, seasonal vegetables. It’s sure to be one of the highlights of your journey.

Dining Chevre

Located on the right side along the road going straight from Nakafurano Station. Seats are limited, so you should make a reservation especially during summer. Make sure to check out the seasonal menu written on the blackboard.