On the northern side of the Furano Basin, the agricultural town Kamifurano is a convenient jumping-off point for both Tokachi-dake’s wonderful onsen and great hikes in the southwestern part of Daisetsuzan National Park. The town’s rustic countryside makes for a good few hours of strolling or cycling.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location About 40km south of Asahikawa via Biei (16km), About 16km north of Furano via Nakafurano (8km) on the JR Furano Line
Population 10,000
Highlights Hinode Park lavender garden / Furanui Onsen
Tourist Information & Bike Rentals Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourism Association (かみふらの十勝岳観光協会): Central Plaza (セントラルプラザ), 1-1-8 Naka-machi / 8.30am-5pm weekday / 200m south of JR Kamifurano Station
01 FLOWER GARDEN & SCENIC VIEWPOINT
Hinode Park
日の出公園 / E1N27 / 24hrs mid May-mid Oct / FREE
About 1km east of JR Kamifurano Station, this park is covered with lavender on a hill from July to early August. Expect spectacular rural and mountain views from the top. There is an observation deck and a car park.
02 ONSEN & SLEEPING
Furanui Onsen
フラヌイ温泉 / 4-4-25 Shin-machi / 7am-10pm / ¥600 / www.furanui.com
A 5-minute walk south of Hinode Park, locals love getting into 31C thermal waters at this reputable onsen. Drinking hot spring water is available. There is also an accommodation on-site
NEXT: Head down to the foothill campsite from the observation deck, then 1km walk on the gravel road across the scenic fields. Turn left onto Prefectural Road 291 (Lavender Road) to Wada Grassland for 600m.
03 SCENIC VIEWPOINT
Wada Grassland and Acorn Village
和田草原とどんぐりの郷 / E4N27 / 24hrs / Closed in winter
This hilly grassland along the way to Tokachidake Onsen offering peaceful views of the Tokachi-dake Mountains and back across the town center.
04 ART MUSEUM
Goto Sumio Museum of Art
後藤純男美術館 / N4N26 / 9am-5pm, to 4pm Nov-Mar / ¥1100 www.gotosumiomuseum.com
Among the scenic fields near the town center, the famous Japanese-style painter Goto Sumio (1930-2016)’s atelier has a nice selection of grand-scale paintings, including the Tokachi-dake Mountains and Shari-dake. Afterwards, head next door to the Furano Grill (11am-5pm, to 4pm Nov-Mar) for lunch.
KAMIFURANO MAP
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Kamifurano Station
↓ 15min walk
01 Hinode Park
↓ 5min walk
02 Furanui Onsen
↓ 20min walk
03 Wada Grassland and Acorn Village
↓ 5min walk
04 Goto Sumio Museum of Art
GETTING THERE
Kamifurano Station (tickets 7.20am-3pm / Closed Sun & holiday except late Jun-late Aug) is 50 minutes south of Asahikawa via Biei (18min) and 20 minutes north of Furano on the JR Furano Line.
GETTING AROUND
From JR Kamifurano Station, there are three buses daily (except 1 Jan) to the Tokachidake Onsen Ryounkaku (45min / ¥500), stopping at Fukiage Onsen and the Kamihoro-so, as well as Furanui Onsen and the Goto Sumio Museum of Art in the town center.
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