Visited 28.10.2017 (Sat)
Previous post: http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/03/hokkaido-summer-2012-farm-tomita.html
Pride of Furano. Farm Tomita is analogous to Furano and whenever someone mentions about Farm Tomita, lavender comes into my mind automatically. The story of how lavender was successfully cultivated in Farm Tomita, thereby elevated it to become an icon of Furano today continues to be an inspiring one. When I visited Farm Tomita on my first trip to Hokkaido in 2012, it was during the peak summer season in July when the park was packed with tourists. Despite that, I did not get to tour the premises extensively due to poor weather conditions then. This time round, though I managed to avoid the crowd at Farm Tomita, I missed the best time to see the carpeted lavender fields. It is hard to get the best of both worlds at times.
Familiarity. However, this recent visit to Farm Tomita has affirmed that this well received sightseeing spot is still worth visiting during its off-peak season. Walked from Nakafurano JR Station to Farm Tomita after a satisfying lunch at Chevre. Along the way, I passed by Choei Lavender Park, another popular lavender sighting location in Nakafurano which I have visited on my first trip to Hokkaido. During summer, the slope is fully covered with blooming lavender and visitors can make use of the chairlift to gain enough elevation to capture a spectacular view of surrounding Tokachidake mountain range decorated with lavender flowers in the foreground.
As expected, Farm Tomita was so much quieter during an off peak season without the usual sighting of buses ferrying groups of tourists here. All the shops within its premises, except for Hanabito House 花人の舎 and Dried Flower House ドライフラワーの舎, were already closed for the year. In Hanabito House, visitors can bring back home Farm Tomita's huge array of lavender related items, such as fragrances, cosmetic products, food and stationery. At the cafe located within the same building, I could not resist not getting a lavender flavoured soft serve cone to relish (the feeling is like something I had to tick off from my to-do list). Love the smooth texture and rich milky flavour, infused with the signature soothing scent of lavender. This is definitely a delectable dessert that should not be missed during a visit to Farm Tomita or even to Furano in general.
Greenhouse. Though there were no vibrant flowers sighted in the outdoor fields, a completely different outlook awaits in this small greenhouse situated in the center of Farm Tomita. Here, beautiful lavender flowers blooming out of their bushes can be enjoyed all year round. The indoor scenery certainly pales in comparison to the flower carpeted fields which will make everyone be wild about during summer. But think otherwise. Due to less facilities/attractions to explore in other parts of the park at this time of the year, visitors can spend more time admiring these enthralling stalks of flowers closely and carefully instead. This is something that is difficult to accomplish when the flower park is packed with tourists. I had the luxury to take numerous close up shots of these endearing flowers and the bees buzzing around the bushes, without much disturbances. Apart from lavender, I was also greeted by beautiful white and pink coloured Geraniums planted at the sides of the greenhouse during the time of my visit.
In conclusion, despite not being able to witness the rainbow fields again, I felt that I enjoyed myself more thoroughly at Farm Tomita this time round...
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Farm Tomita ファーム富田
071-0704 北海道空知郡中富良野町基線北15号
Free admission.
http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/
How to get there?
(1) Approx 20 mins walk from Nakafurano JR Station 中富良野駅.
(2) Approx 7 mins walk from Lavender Farm JR Station ラベンダー畑駅, a temporary train station which is only opened when Furano-Biei Norokko Train 富良野・美瑛ノロッコ号 is in operation.
Previous post: http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/03/hokkaido-summer-2012-farm-tomita.html
Pride of Furano. Farm Tomita is analogous to Furano and whenever someone mentions about Farm Tomita, lavender comes into my mind automatically. The story of how lavender was successfully cultivated in Farm Tomita, thereby elevated it to become an icon of Furano today continues to be an inspiring one. When I visited Farm Tomita on my first trip to Hokkaido in 2012, it was during the peak summer season in July when the park was packed with tourists. Despite that, I did not get to tour the premises extensively due to poor weather conditions then. This time round, though I managed to avoid the crowd at Farm Tomita, I missed the best time to see the carpeted lavender fields. It is hard to get the best of both worlds at times.
 |
| The slope of Choei Lavender Park covered by blooming lavender flowers in July. |
 |
| Was lucky enough to capture a clear view of Tokachidake mountain range on the day of my visit! |
 |
| A close up shot of the snow-capped mountain. |
As expected, Farm Tomita was so much quieter during an off peak season without the usual sighting of buses ferrying groups of tourists here. All the shops within its premises, except for Hanabito House 花人の舎 and Dried Flower House ドライフラワーの舎, were already closed for the year. In Hanabito House, visitors can bring back home Farm Tomita's huge array of lavender related items, such as fragrances, cosmetic products, food and stationery. At the cafe located within the same building, I could not resist not getting a lavender flavoured soft serve cone to relish (the feeling is like something I had to tick off from my to-do list). Love the smooth texture and rich milky flavour, infused with the signature soothing scent of lavender. This is definitely a delectable dessert that should not be missed during a visit to Farm Tomita or even to Furano in general.
Greenhouse. Though there were no vibrant flowers sighted in the outdoor fields, a completely different outlook awaits in this small greenhouse situated in the center of Farm Tomita. Here, beautiful lavender flowers blooming out of their bushes can be enjoyed all year round. The indoor scenery certainly pales in comparison to the flower carpeted fields which will make everyone be wild about during summer. But think otherwise. Due to less facilities/attractions to explore in other parts of the park at this time of the year, visitors can spend more time admiring these enthralling stalks of flowers closely and carefully instead. This is something that is difficult to accomplish when the flower park is packed with tourists. I had the luxury to take numerous close up shots of these endearing flowers and the bees buzzing around the bushes, without much disturbances. Apart from lavender, I was also greeted by beautiful white and pink coloured Geraniums planted at the sides of the greenhouse during the time of my visit.
In conclusion, despite not being able to witness the rainbow fields again, I felt that I enjoyed myself more thoroughly at Farm Tomita this time round...
======
Farm Tomita ファーム富田
071-0704 北海道空知郡中富良野町基線北15号
Free admission.
http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/
How to get there?
(1) Approx 20 mins walk from Nakafurano JR Station 中富良野駅.
(2) Approx 7 mins walk from Lavender Farm JR Station ラベンダー畑駅, a temporary train station which is only opened when Furano-Biei Norokko Train 富良野・美瑛ノロッコ号 is in operation.
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