Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Kumagera 熊啄木鸟

Visited 11.07.2012

Came to Kumagera, another well-received restaurant in Furano, to settle our dinner on the second night. Similar to Yuigadoxon, I got to know this restaurant through Taiwan's gourmet search TV programme - 食尚玩家. Exterior of the restaurant is covered with stone and grapevines, giving it a rustic feel. Interior was spacious and business was pretty brisk - spotted a couple of tourists from Hong Kong and Taiwan too.

With both English and Chinese menu available, food ordering was an ease. Ordered a Sanzoku (Bandits' hot pot) which served two persons and a waygu Japanese beef shabu-shabu hot pot. Sanzoku consists of three types of meat - venison, duck and chicken, cooked on the spot in miso-based soup. It was unexpectedly delicious despite the unusual combination of proteins. Soup was very tasty, all the natural sweetness of meat and vegetables were surfaced within one hot pot. As for the shabu-shabu hot pot, it comes with beancurds, golden mushrooms, udon noodles to go with the beef. Beautiful patterns of fat was "imprinted" on the thin slices of beef, and the tender beef is best eaten after a few swishes in the kombu soup. Oishi!

We all agreed that this was one restaurant we will definitely patronise again if we get to visit Furano again!

Recognition: Restaurant was rated 1 star in Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012.

Pricelist: 
Sanzoku, bandits' hot pot = 3,300 yen (serves two persons)
Waygu beef shabu-shabu hot pot = 3,900 yen

Another Kumagera's specialtiy is raw beef rice, which we were all not daring enough to try = 1,980 yen.

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Kumagera 熊啄木鸟
< 5 mins walk from Furano JR Station
Opening hours: 1130 - 0000 hrs
http://www.furano.ne.jp/kumagera

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Video: Restaurant was featured in 食尚玩家. Fast forward to 17:30 for their recommendation on Kumagera.

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Furano Marche 富良野マルシェ

Visited 11.07.2012, 12.07.2012
Revisited on 15.10.2017: https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2019/11/hokkaido-revisit-2017-furano-marche-furano-burger-petit-petit-burger.html

Personally like the concept of Furano Marche. A one stop shop for all made in Furano products, Furano Marche is made up of three buildings and four zones - sweets/desserts cafe (Sabor), farmers' market selling locally grown agricultural products (Hogar), dining area (Furadish) and souvenir shop (Argent). Only managed to look around in Argent for both days because we reached near its closing time.

A wide range of products is available in Argent. Local specialties such as jams from Furano Jam Garden in Rokugo, grape juices and wines from Furano Grape Juice Factory and Winery, lavender products from Farm Tomita and the list goes on. Tried out this famous cheese cake filled blueberry jam from Shinya, another well-known confectionery shop established in Furano - both flavours blended very well, just the right amount of sweetness. If you missed out the main shop, which is nearer to Furano JR Station, you can also get their products in Furano Marche.

Will definitely spend some time in its sweets cafe and dining area, if I happen to visit Furano again.

Do make a mental note that there is still this shop in the heart of Furano to do all your last minute shopping for food and souvenirs, if you have missed out buying anything from other tourist attractions/destinations.

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Furano Marche
北海道富良野市幸町13-1
Opening hours: 0900 - 1900 hrs (15 Jun to 23 Sep); 1000 - 1900 hrs (other periods)
http://www.furano.ne.jp/marche/


How to get there?  

(1) 10 mins walk from Furano JR Station.
(2) Kururu bus, only available from 1 July to 15 August. Alight at bus stop B.
(3) Furano bus, heading Nishatappu (西达布) or Rokugo (麓乡) from Furano JR Station.
http://www.cbnet.co.jp/furanobus/rosen.html

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Furano Delice 富良野菓子工房

Visited 11.07.2012
Revisited on 28.10.2017: http://hsuchia.blogspot.sg/2018/05/hokkaido-revisit-2017-furano-delice.html

Decided to put this confectionery shop into my itinerary after reading numerous rave reviews about their desserts on the Internet. Opened in 2001, Furano Delice was well-known for their milk pudding that is served in conventional milk bottles. Apart their top selling milk pudding, their double fromage cheese cakes are equally well-received. One thing to note is that Furano Delice uses dairy products and eggs from Furano and other ingredients from Hokkaido as much as possible.

There was no direct public transportation to this shop located in the Kitanomine area, making this place quite inaccessible for those who do not drive. Decided to skip the Twinkle Bus return trip back to Furano JR Station and took the Kururu bus (penultimate bus) from New Furano Prince Hotel (bus stop D) instead. Alighted at Naturwald Hotel (bus stop F), the nearest bus stop to Furano Delice, and walked for another 10 mins to reach the shop. Sad to say, we could only allocate 1 hour for this shop as we had to catch the last Kururu bus back to Furano JR Station.

A pleasant looking house located at the top of a small hill, one has to walk through this covered footpath before reaching the main building. The cafe sits at one corner of this sweets shop, overlooking the greenery and flowers planted on the gradient of the hill. Joined the queue to order their specialties and drinks to go with the desserts. Milk pudding and cheese cakes were indeed smooth and creamy to the palate, definitely irresistible for dairy lovers. If not for the infrequent bus timing, we could have spend more quality time, sit back and enjoy the delectable desserts for the rest of the afternoon.

Will recommend paying this place a visit, especially for sweets/desserts lovers.

Pricelist: 
Milk pudding + double fromage cheese cake + 1 drink = 1,000 yen
Madeleine eggs, 6 in one egg tray (original or chocolate flavour) = 850 yen

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Furano Delice  富良野菓子工房
北海道富良野市字下御料2156-1
Opening hours: 1000 - 1800 hrs; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 
http://shop.le-nord.com/

大きな地図で見る

How to get there? 

(1) Kururu bus, only available from 1 July - 15 Aug. Alight at Hotel Naturwald (bus stop F) and approx 10 mins walk.

(2) Furano Bus Goryo line 富良野バス御料線. Alight at Hotel Naturwald.
http://www.cbnet.co.jp/furanobus/rosen.html#goryou

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Furano Cheese Factory 富良野芝士工 房，富良野起司工房

Visited 11.07.2012

Fourth attraction on the Twinkle Bus Furano route.
Another popular tourist destination in Furano, especially well-known for its dairy products. Opened since 1983, this factory produces milk, butter and cheese, in various flavors - squid ink and red wine cheese are available for taste testing.

Located nearby is an ice milk factory which sells ice cream in a variety of flavours. Bought cheese, corn, pumpkin and melon sorbet ice cream for the family and all tasted reasonably good.
There is a pizza restaurant located within the same compound, if you are searching for other food options. Did pass by the restaurant and the food looked pretty tempting! However, we were only given limited time to tour this factory (20 mins) and had to give this restaurant a miss.

Given 20 mins for this attraction, we could only view the manufacturing line and exhibits in the factory and savour the ice milk. For those who are visiting the factory on their own, you can choose to join classes to learn how to handmade your own butter, ice-cream, bread and cheese are available (for a nominal fee). However, reservations for these classes are required up to 3 days in advance.
Classes information: http://www.furano-cheese.jp/cgi-bin/furano/siteup.cgi?category=5&page=0

Perk: 10% discount voucher for ice-cream purchase given to Twinkle Bus passengers. Single scoop cost 225 yen after discount.

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Furano Cheese Factory 富良野芝士工房，富良野起司工房
北海道富良野市中五区
Opening hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs (Apr - Oct), 0900 - 1600 hrs (Nov - Mar)
http://www.furano-cheese.jp/

大きな地図で見る

How to go there?
(1) Twinkle Bus Furano, makes a 20 mins stop at this attraction. Only available in Jun - Aug, weekends in Sep and Oct. Fee = 1000 yen.
(2) Furano Bus, for Furano Cheese Factory.
Only available in July and August. Fee = 150 yen (from Furano JR Station).
Refer to Furano Bus website for bus schedule (information only made available during summer period): http://www.cbnet.co.jp/furanobus/
(3) Twinkle Bus Furano Lavender Course, makes a 20 mins stop at this attraction.
One bus per day, departs from Furano JR Station at 1010 hrs. Bus service only in operation in July and August. Fee = 1500 yen.
Refer to JR Hokkaido website: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Anpanman Shop アンパンマンショップ

Visited 11.07.2012

Third attraction on the Twinkle Bus Furano route.

Anpanman is a well-known Japanese cartoon character and has been around since 1973. Rising popularity of this popular figure have created a whole range of related merchandises - virtually any children's product that you can think of! Shops and museums were also built to showcase this adorable looking character.
Apart from its flagship store located in Tokyo, museums are scattered all around Japan (Yokohama, Sendai, Kobe and Nagoya). To date, this outlet in Furano is the only shop opened outside Tokyo.

Anpanman shop was officially opened in July 2000. This modest building houses a merchandise shop on its ground level and a picture gallery on the second level.  

Frankly speaking, with most of the time spent tasting/shopping for jams, Anpanman shop was more of a touch-and-go attraction for us. We used the remaining time to take photos with the stone statues of Anpanman characters located outside the shop and did a quick tour of its ground level shop. Still managed to grab a goodies bag (735 yen) which contains sweets and biscuits, before hopping back onto the bus.

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Anpanman shop アンパンマンショップ
富良野市东麓乡3
Located beside Furano Jam Garden.
Opening hours: 0900 - 1730 hrs
Closed on Mondays during winter season (24 Nov - 20 Apr).
https://www.furanojam.com/anpanman/
http://www.anpanmanshop.co.jp/furano/furano-9.htm




How to get there?

(1) Twinkle Bus Furano, makes a 40 mins stop at this attraction. Only available in Jun - Aug, weekends in Sep and Oct. Fee = 1000 yen.

(2) Infrequent local buses heading for Rokugo (麓乡) from Furano JR Station.
Alight at the last stop, takes about 40 min to 1 hr by foot (3.5 km) or you can choose to rent a bicycle instead. 
Refer to Furano bus website for updated bus schedule: http://www.cbnet.co.jp/furanobus/rosen.html#rokugou

(3) Taxi, about 5000 - 6000 yen from Furano JR Station.

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Furano Jam Garden 富良野果酱工房

Visited 11.07.2012

Third attraction on the Twinkle Bus Furano route.
Furano Jam Garden was one of the main reasons why I signed up for this day tour package.
Founded in 1974, this factory features handmade jam using locally produced ingredients. To date, a total of 35 types of jams have been introduced, and all subjected to the taste test in the shop! Bread and biscuits are provided by the shop, to go with the wide array of jams during taste testing.

The list of jams created by Furano Jam Factory goes on and on... apple, strawberry, carrot, blueberry, pumpkin, cherry, white grape, red grape, blackcurrant, blue honeysuckle (haskup fruit), tomato, watermelon, plum, prune, etc.
My vote goes to pear and melon jams. The former has crunchy bits of zesty fruit in it, definitely one of the better version of pear jams I have eaten so far in my life. Melon, being one of their most expensive fruits in Japan, turn out to be equally popular (and tasty as well) in the form of jams.  

Apart from the shopping experience, Furano Jam Garden also offers jam making class for visitors at a fee of 1000 yen per person. More details such as timing of classes and reservation method can be found on their homepage and brochures.
English brochure: http://www.furanojam.com/pdf/furanojam_guide.pdf

Travelling all the way to Rokugo to grab (and taste) these jams can be quite a hassle and inconvenient if you taking public transport. A decent selection of jams can also be found @ Furano Marche or souvenir shops located in hotels within Furano.
In Singapore, Hokkaido food satellite shop (Come-In-Hokkaido) in Meidi-ya (Liang Court) will import some of these jams every now and then, but only limited/more popular flavours are available (spotted melon and grape jams previously). Therefore, no need to fret if you have just finished your favourite handmade jams...

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Furano Jam Factory
富良野市东麓乡3
Opening hours: 0900 - 1730 hrs
Closed during winter season (Dec and Jan).
http://www.furanojam.com/

大きな地図で見る

How to go there?
(1) Twinkle Bus Furano, makes a 40 mins stop at this attraction. Only available in Jun - Aug, weekends in Sep and Oct. Fee = 1000 yen.
(2) Infrequent local buses heading for Rokugo (麓乡) from Furano JR Station.
Alight at the last stop, takes about 40 min to 1 hr by foot (3.5 km) or you can choose to rent a bicycle instead.
Refer to Furano bus website for updated bus schedule: http://www.cbnet.co.jp/furanobus/rosen.html#rokugou
(3) Taxi, about 5000 - 6000 yen from Furano JR Station.

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Rokugo Observatory 麓乡展望台

Visited 11.07.2012

Second attraction on the Twinkle Bus Furano route.

Located 500 m above sea level, Rokugo Observatory is a popular place for flowers viewing during summer season. Sad to say, most flowers were not at their full bloom stage yet when we were there and should be at its best a couple of weeks later. Nevertheless, standing at a highland, overlooking the beautiful scenery still makes this place a well-deserving attraction.  

Tip: Furano Tourism Association has dedicated a page to provide lavender blooming status/stages for several flower parks in Furano during summer period. Rokugo Observatory (Furano Jam Garden) is one of the featured flower parks.
http://www.furano-kankou.com/flower/lavender/shisu.html (In Japanese)

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Rokugo Observatory 麓乡展望台

富良野市东麓乡3

Within walking distance from Furano Jam Garden and Anpanman Shop.

http://www.furanojam.com/about/observatory.html

How to go there?
(1) Twinkle Bus Furano, makes a 20 mins stop at this attraction. Only available in Jun - Aug, weekends in Sep and Oct. Fee = 1000 yen.
(2) Infrequent local buses heading for Rokugo (麓乡) from Furano JR Station.
Alight at the last stop, takes about 40 min to 1 hr by foot (3.5 km) or you can choose to rent a bicycle instead. 
Refer to Furano bus website for updated bus schedule: http://www.cbnet.co.jp/furanobus/rosen.html#rokugou
(3) Taxi, about 5000 - 6000 yen from Furano JR Station.

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Twinkle Bus Furano

Joined 11.07.2012

Twinkle Bus Furano Itinerary - taken from JR Hokkaido website

Reason: 
Attractions in Furano are actually quite scattered and transportation network (buses) is not well-established due to the small local population in this humble town.
Attractions such as recycled houses featured in TV drama serial, Kita no Kuni Kura (from the Northern Country), Furano Jam Garden and Anpanman shop are all located 20 km away in the rural district of Rokugo (麓乡).
Rokugo is quite inaccessible by public transport, with infrequent local buses ferry passengers between Furano JR Station and Rokugo. For those who do not plan to self-drive, I will recommend this day tour package offered by JR if you want to venture further to these attractions.

Twinkle Bus Furano only operates during the summer period, from Jun to Aug.
Tickets can be purchased from ticket counter in JR train stations or Twinkle Plaza.
- Departs from Furano JR Station at 1150 hrs.
- Returns to Furano JR Station at 1600 hrs.
- Fee = 1000 yen

Attractions covered:
(1) Jun and Yui's Recycled House (20 mins stopover), additional 300 yen entrance fee.
(2) Rokugo Observatory (20 mins stopover)
(3) Furano Jam Garden and Anpanman Shop (40 mins stopover)
(4) Furano Cheese Factory (20 mins stopover)
(5) New Furano Prince Hotel, Kaze no Gaden (Windy Garden) and Ninguru Terrace (1 hour stopover)

Sidenote:
During summer period, JR introduces several sightseeing bus routes in Furano and Biei at pretty affordable rates. Perks such as discount vouchers/free gifts for respective attractions are also issued to passengers. Do note that throughout the bus journey, the tour guide only speaks/introduces the attractions in Japanese. Alternatively, you can refer to English/Mandarin written brochures/cards placed in the buses for a more detailed description of respective attraction.

JR Hokkaido website: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/
Furano & Biei Twinkle buses (2012 edition):
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e/ml201205.pdf

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Choei Lavender Park 北星山町营薰衣草园

Visited 11.07.2012

First flower park of the day. We were welcomed by beautiful coloration of flowers which were planted aesthetically on the slope of this hill. In winter, the slope is covered with snow and the chairlift is meant to ferry skiers to a higher elevation on this hill. In summer, chairlift allows one to tour this flower park in a different manner - viewing lavender flowers just beneath your feet!

At an elevated level, a picturesque of lavender flowers, with Tokachi mountain range in the background can be admired on a good clear day. With such beautiful scenery, one can expect humongous amount of photos snapped at different parts of this flower park. To me, the most important photo to be taken is one which shows yourself hiding in the vast field of blooming lavender flowers! Will recommend coming in the earlier part of the day to avoid huge crowds, especially when your main motive is to snap good pictures with the least interference (i.e. strangers in the background).

At the foot of the hill, there is a stall selling snacks - bought lavender flavoured ice-cream (300 yen) and steamed corn kernel (300 yen), and a souvenir shop selling mainly lavender related products.

1.5 hours should be sufficient for one to tour this beautiful flower park leisurely and enjoy a lavender soft serve after a good stroll.

Highlight: Chairlift cost 300 yen for both ways (up and downhill).
50 yen discount vouchers can be obtained through the following avenues:
(1) Furano Tourist Information Centre, located in Furano JR Station
(2) Tourist counter in Nakafurano JR Station
(3) Furano-Biei Norokko train

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Choei Lavender Park 北星山町营薰衣草园
Opening hours (for chairlift): 0900 - 1700 hrs
< 10 mins walk from Nakafurano JR Station

View Larger Map

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 2 Itinerary: Furano 富良野 (Nakafurano 中富良野, Rokugo 麓乡)

Day 2 - 11.07.2012
https://maps.google.com.sg/maps/ms?msid=205065800026451234650.0004d3299ab1414225e19&msa=0&ll=43.359385,142.390022&spn=0.152016,0.308647

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Breakfast: Furano Natulux Hotel

Furano JR Station (0818 hrs) > Nakafurano JR Station (0825 hrs)
Fee = 220 yen

Nakafurano JR Station > Choei Lavender Park
approx 10 mins walk.

Returned to Nakafurano JR Station (1044 hrs) > Furano JR Station (1054 hrs)
Fee = 220 yen

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Twinkle Bus Furano, departs from Furano JR Station at 1150 hrs.
(1) Jun & Yui's Recycled House, in Rokugo
(2) Rokugo Observatory
(3) Furano Jam Garden & Anpanman Shop, in Rokugo
(4) Furano Cheese Factory
(5) Ninguru Terrace, beside New Furano Prince Hotel

Skipped the return trip to Furano JR Station.

New Furano Prince Hotel (1532 hrs) > Naturwald Hotel (1540 hrs)
via Kururu bus, bus stop D.

Naturwald Hotel > Furano Delice
approx 10 mins walk.

Returned to Naturwald Hotel (1655 hrs) > Furano JR Station (1730 hrs)
via Kururu bus, bus stop F.

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Visited Furano Marche, a one stop shop for all made in Furano products.

Dinner: Kumagera, for Bandits' hot pot and Waygu beef shabu shabu hot pot.

- End of Day 2 -