One of the most famous sights for embracing incredible pastures of flower varieties, entirely unseen in any other part of Japan, is Farm Tomita in Nakafurano, Hokkaido. It is located less than three hours by express train or car from Sapporo.
The farm is approximately 10,000 square meters in size and includes a greenhouse, restaurants and other facilities. The best time to visit the farm is from June to late July, particularly for catching the spectacular lavender fields. However, other flora varieties are also in bloom in the different seasons.
Flower Fields
Photo by: PIXTA/ kazukiatuko A rainbow prairie of colorful flower strips.
The Hanabito Field boasts seasonal blossoms throughout the year. Hanabito Garden, adjacent to the field, grows herbs and 120 other types of plants. The Sakiwai Field, behind the Hanabito has four varieties of lavenders. The gradation of purple shade is fantastic on a bright, clear day. Further behind are the Spring Field and Autumn Field, which sparkle mixes of poppies, chives, lavenders, spider flowers and Japanese roses. Walking towards the left pathway, you come across the Mother’s Garden, a tiny patch of around 50 varieties of climbers, shrubs and fruit plants. The garden is named after the grandmother of the Tomita family.
The most photographed plot is the Irodori (color variety) Field, known for its rainbow prairie of colorful flower strips. Seven color species are said to spread across the rolling hills: purple lavender varieties, white baby’s breath, red and orange poppies, yellow mustard and pink garden catchflies.
Other lavender fields are scattered, namely the Traditional Lavender Field, Lavender Forest Field, and Lavandin Field (late-blooming lavenders). The Traditional Lavender Field is said to be one of the oldest lavender plantations in Japan. The familiar panorama decorated JR’s calendar in 1978, which triggered tourism to the area. A new field, the Hilltop Field, made in 2017, reveals different types of colorful poppies and other flowers.
Brief History of Farm Tomita
Photo by: PIXTA/ K@zuTa The farm dates back to the Meiji Era.
Farm Tomita’s history goes back to the Meiji era in 1903. During this year, Tokuma Tomita, grandson of lavender cultivator Tadao Tomita, started plowing into the grounds of Nakafurano. Lavender farming began around 1958 and expanded to almost 2,300,000 square meters by 1970. The production of essential oils, perfume and cosmetics started in 1980. You can find a wide array of them in the gift shops.
Lavender East, a special land devoted to the cultivation of ingredients for perfume production, opened in 2008. It is one of the largest lavender farms in Japan, four kilometers east of Farm Tomita. It also has a natural hot spring foot spa.
