New Year's Eve!

New Year's Festival will be held in Furano Zone tonight from 10 pm.
There will be food and drink stalls and some events.
Fireworks at midnight with mochi throwing which will be quite a spectacle.



We hope you all have a wonderful year!!!

Winter Operation

Almost all of the resort is open now.

 

The Furano Ski Host programme which has volunteer guides registered with JNTO started on 18 Dec.

 

Ski Bus Tours to Kamui and Tomamu start this week.

 

Furano Kan Kan Mura, Snow Night Fantasy has also been open since Dec 23.

 

The Resort Shuttle Bus service runs between the Ski district and Furano Town from Dec 17 to Mar 15.

 

Other ski areas around Furano

 

Tomamu Ski Area has been open since Dec 6th.
But only the Silver bells, Aspen Bahn, Beginner slopes, Naster, Silky Way, Exhibition A and B.

 

Kamui Ski Links is open today!

 

The Ski Bus Tours from Furano will operate from late December.

 

Powder Day!

FTA is pleased to announce the opening of the other runs in Furano Zone.

According to the official report,

there is 90 cm around the top station,

and 50 cm at the bottom station.

 

The runs open today are: Sailer, Shirakaba, Romance, Spies, Prince Todomatsu and Ropeway.  

 

It was an ideal day the day before yesterday for those who love powder snow.

No pain for snowboard beginners when stacking!

Telemarkers couldn't stop running and found their thighs extremely sore.

 

 

Furano Zone offers a long run of 3.4 km and no queues for the lift and the Ropeway now.
People feel comfortable cruising in the nice wide runs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furano Zone

There is more than 10 cm of additional snow since last evening.

According to the official report, there is 70 cm of snow at the top and 40 cm at the bottom of the Furano Ropeway station.

 (Kitanomine Zone)

FTA interviewed those who enjoyed skiing in Sailer run today.
"The air was not cold and the snow was good from the top to bottom.
No stones could be seen, so no worries for new skis.
It was really good condition for this time of the year."

 (Kitanomine Zone)

The temperature will fall this evening and more snow is expected to come over the next 2 days.

 (Kitanomine Zone)

We look forward to announcing that other runs will be open soon!

3,400 m's run is available in Furano Zone!

The Sailer run is open from the top of the Ropeway Station to the bottom today!

The slope condition was confirmed last night.

Soft and fine snow has been falling to be piled up more all around the town since this morning.

Come and enjoy Japan's earliest white season in Furano!

Furano Zone is Open!!!

After 2 days of heavy snow showers, the Furano Ski Resort started its winter ski season this morning! 

Lots of people enjoyed the first day of skiing on beautiful natural snow!

The skiable runs are limited to those around the upper part of the Furano Ropeway.

But more snow is forecast this week, and the ski resort's dedicated snow making team will keep on working hard.

So that will allow runs to be open from the top to the bottom soon.

There is a special arrangement for those who don't ski but would like to enjoy the winter scenery at the top of the mountain.

1,000 yen per ticket including a return trip on the Ropeway and 1 drink at restaurant Downhill which is next to the Furano Ropeway Top Station (usually 1,850 yen). 

Available at the Furano Ropeway ticket counter.

How about having lunch whilst viewing the white winter scenery? 

http://blog.princehotels.co.jp/ski/furano/

Special Offer

Furano offers free shuttle buses to and from New Chitose Airport and Asahikawa Airport this season!!

Please contact your Furano accommodation to arrange bookings.

Don’t miss this great chance!!

There are 3,500 seats available for international guests.

See below for the bus timetables:

http://www.furano-kankou.com/skibus.pdf

Results of Radiation Monitoring in Hokkaido

Radiation levels have remained normal.

http://monitoring-hokkaido.info/index.php?lang=en

This is reported by Hokkaido Government.

Snow Report

Since Monday evening, the first snow has been falling around the town.

It accumulated to a depth of 3 centimeters on the windscreen of my car on Tuesday morning, and there was another 6 centimeters on Wednesday morning when I came to work.

It was cold enough last night, to allow the snow-making team of the Furano Ski Resort to work overnight.

Now the snow is still piled up everywhere in the town forming beautiful white scenery.

Trees seem to be dressed in fluffy cotton outfits.

The Furano Ski Resort is preparing for the opening date of Nov 19 in the Furano Zone.

Misty Mauve

 

Around 4 pm one day before the full moon this month from the Kitanomine Ski Area.

 

The moon is rising from the direction of the Daisetsuzan mountain range.

 

Japanese people like to appreciate the moon and write poems such as haiku and tanka poetry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weather Report

It's obvious there are snow clouds covering the top of the mountains.
Even Though it can not be seen from here, the coldness feels as though the white stuff is close to us.

Local people have to prepare themselves for driving on the icy roads, so they must make time to change their tyres.

 

 

Jack-o'-lantern

One week before Halloween, the Jack-o’-lantern making event was held in Furano Marche’s Open-air Event Square.

                                    

Specially made pumpkins came from local farmers.

 

About 30 sets of parents and children took part in this event.

The lanterns were displayed about 1 week until Oct 31 along the Gojo street.

This kind of family event has occurred for about 10 years in Furano.

Furano Omelette Curry for B-1 Grand prix in Himeji

The local dishes which are cheap, delicious and loved by local people are defined as the B-class local cuisine.

B-1 Grand prix is held annually to determine No. 1 all over Japan.

This year it is being held in Himeji in Hyogo prefecture and Furano Omelette Curry has been entered.

There is a complementary sale in commemoration of the Furano Omelette Curry entry for B-1 Grand prix in Himeji!!

When: Nov 2 (Wed) 11:30 am – 3:00 pm

Where: Masaya (Teppan & Okonomi-yaki)
               – along the Gojodori, Furano Town

Dishes: Furano Omelette Curry   

            Kitami Salt Flavoured Fried Noodles

Price: ￥400 each (Each dish in limited supply with 100 half portions being served in plastic dishes)

*Note: These dishes are different from the ones usually served in the restaurant.

http://www.b1-himeji.jp/

Free Concerts

Concerts of Thanks from Coffee Shop “Kitadokei”

Coffee Shop “Kitadokei” is open for a limited period celebrating the 30th anniversary of the TV drama “From the Northern Country”.

It will be closed from Oct 31. The shop will hold concerts to show their gratitude to the people who love to come to the shop.

Oct 29 (Sat) 2:00 pm~ 2:30 pm   Kokarina (Small ocarina)
                                                             group

                                   2:30 pm~ 3:00 pm   Bamboo Flute recital

            Oct 30 (Sun) 2:00 pm ~ 2:30 pm   Violoncello recital

                                    6:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm   Violin recital

Venue : Coffee Shop “Kitadokei” (near the monument in Asahigaoka Park in Kitanomine)

Free coffee

Free entry (no need to book)

* Please refrain from taking small children.

Enquiry 0167-22-5777 (FTA)

Join in the Event!!

Furayuni 2011

When : Oct 23 (Sun) 11 am ~5 pm

Where : New Furano Hotel (Kitanomine)

Free Event

* Furayuni Challenge Art : Let’s create a piece of art using a real car
　as the canvas.

* Furayuni Art Exhibition : Works made by Furano inhabitants will
　be displayed.

*Creative Experience : Cardboard handicraft, etc.

* Stage Performances : Music, Dance, Film, Fashion, Hula etc.

* Eat : The local gourmet “Omelette Curry” (at a cost) by Nanmara
　restaurant.

What is “Furayuni”?

The concept is to show Furano residents enjoying themselves, whilst creating and looking at art works, with emphasis on watching, eating, experiencing, and participating.

This is the event where local performers can gather together.

http://furauni,jimdo.com/

Organised by JCI Junior Chamber International Furano

The last day!!

Free tickets for the Furano Ropeway cable car
for international guests.

※Show your passport to staff at the Furano Ropeway ticket counter
to receive your free cable car ticket.
■Period 4th June - 16th October 2011■　 June 4th･5th･11th･12th･18th･19th （Sat & Sun Weekend Only ）
■Open 8am-4pm■
　6am-7pm: 16th July - 21nd August
　Time Every 20min (Eg:8:00/8:20/8:40/9:00)
■Furano Ropeway■
Nakagoryo Furano city Tel:0167-22-1111 Mapcode:919 552 448
It takes 15 minutes by car from JR Furano Station.
Please use‘Kururu Pass’and‘Lavender-Go',
then get off at‘New Furano Prince Hotel’

針對來自海外的旅客，富良野纜車免費券

※領取免費券時請出示護照。
■運行期間■
2011年6月4日・5日・11日・12日・18日・19日 （只有周六・日）
　　從6月25日～10月16日.毎天運行 早上8點～下午4點■7月16日～8月21日■
早上6點～下午7點 毎隔20分鐘運行。（例：8：00/8：20/8：40/9：00）
■富良野纜車■
富良野市中御料　Tel 0167-22-1111 / Mapcode: 919 552 448
從JR富良野站開車15分鐘 請使用「KURURU巴士」
富良野巴士「薰衣草號」，在新富良野王子飯店下車

Yukimushi - Snow Insect (literal translation)

I am really glad to tell this news :D

When I went outside my house this morning,

I saw lots of Yukimushi (tiny insects) floating in the air,

like snow fluttering.

Local people feel the snow will come to their area in two weeks.

This insect always indicates the exact time of the arrival of the first snow.

This is the wonder of nature. Sometimes small living things can forecast correctly the exact change of the weather.

Koto & Shakuhachi - Japanese harp & Bamboo flute Concert

The 19th concert of the Yamanaka Traditional Japanese Music Research Group

Date : Oct 15 (Sat)
Door open : 6:00 pm
Curtain : 6:30 pm
Place : Furano Civic Centre Big Hall
Entrance fee : 499 yen (High school students & Adults)
                     free for secondary junior high school students and under

22 Jan 2011  Saturday Night Live @ Restaurant Shishi

Inquiries : 0167-23-3786 The yamanaka Traditional Japanese Music Reserch Group

Kitanomine Today!

 A beautiful day with the warm sunshine.

The breathtaking autumn colours can be viewed all around.

It is like dreaming.

Local people might be outside their houses enjoying a good day and cleaning up their gardens in preparation for the coming of the first snow.

Koharu biyori - Indian summer

We call a warm day in autumn Koharu biyori.

Rice harvesting has been finished.

New season's rice has appeared on the market.

Japanese especially adore "Shiroi Gohan" white rice :D

Thanks to the cool weather in summer, less agricultural chemicals were used in Hokkaido.

Now the fields are covered with wheat sprouts.

This makes beautiful scenery with the snow covered mountains in background.

Photos courtesy of Akane-yado

Now is the best for viewing Autumn Colours in the ski area!

Free tickets for the Furano Ropeway cable car
for international guests.

※Show your passport to staff at the Furano Ropeway ticket counter
to receive your free cable car ticket.
■Period 4th June - 16th October 2011■　 June 4th･5th･11th･12th･18th･19th （Sat & Sun Weekend Only ）
■Open 8am-4pm■
　6am-7pm: 16th July - 21nd August
　Time Every 20min (Eg:8:00/8:20/8:40/9:00)
■Furano Ropeway■
Nakagoryo Furano city Tel:0167-22-1111 Mapcode:919 552 448
It takes 15 minutes by car from JR Furano Station.
Please use‘Kururu Pass’and‘Lavender-Go',
then get off at‘New Furano Prince Hotel’

針對來自海外的旅客，富良野纜車免費券

※領取免費券時請出示護照。
■運行期間■
2011年6月4日・5日・11日・12日・18日・19日 （只有周六・日）
　　從6月25日～10月16日.毎天運行 早上8點～下午4點■7月16日～8月21日■
早上6點～下午7點 毎隔20分鐘運行。（例：8：00/8：20/8：40/9：00）
■富良野纜車■
富良野市中御料　Tel 0167-22-1111 / Mapcode: 919 552 448
從JR富良野站開車15分鐘 請使用「KURURU巴士」
富良野巴士「薰衣草號」，在新富良野王子飯店下車

Have a good weekend!

Beer Party à la Furano - Report

About 100 people gathered at the Beer Party!

Including Hesomaru kun!! Look at his steps

He danced the Bellybutton Dance in the middle of everyone!!

They danced and sang with karaoke.

There were also lucky door prizes.

Adults and kids all enjoyed the night :D

Arrival of snow!!

The cold in the sky over Hokkaido brought the first snow inland before dawn on the morning of Oct 3 several days earlier than usual.

There is about 30 ~ 40 cm of snow around the crater of Tokachidake.

But the temperature will rise to normal this week

You can enjoy autumn colors and snow at the same time while soaking a cosy outside hot spring.

Photos courtesy of Daisetsuzan National Park Kamihoro Sou

Furano Theatre Factory Festival

Date : Oct 10 (Mon, national holiday)

Free Entry

Time Table

11:00 am (foyer)    Handcraft Exhibition and Sale
                                 A variety of food available

12:45 pm (foyer)   Gospel Concert

1:30 pm (Theatre)  Hip Hop Dance

2:00 pm (Theatre)  Rakugo - Comic Storytelling

3:00 pm (Theatre)  A play performed by the Furano Citizens Theatre Group


Furano Theatre Factory
0167-39-0333
http://www.furano.ne.jp/engeki/

Photo exhibition

My Nature
～ぼくと自然～

野口　純一・門間　敬行・石黒　誠　写真展

Term : Sep 17 (Sat) ～ Oct 23 (Sun)

Place : Furano Museum (Yamabe)

Opening hours : 9 am ～ 5 pm

Closed : Mondays

Free Entry

Photographers : Junichi Noguchi, Takayuki Monma, Makoto Ishiguro

These 3 nature photographers who live in Furano show the severe, beautiful and tender nature that they have found around in their daily life in their original camerawork. These works also let us realize how the nature around Furano is expressive and formed by diverse living things.
Enjoy miraculous worlds made by these living things.



http://furano.sub.jp/modules/news/article.php?storyid=153

Beer Party à la Furano

Why not join in our Beer Party?

Date : Oct 1 (Sat)
Time : 5 pm ~ 8 pm (freedom of coming and going during the time)
Place : Dream House Kingyo (Karaoke bar, Downtown)
Cost : 2,000 yen (2 drinks with a door prize)
         
There are Karaoke contest for kids and adults, the Furano Bellybutton Dance performances, lucky door prizes and more!
Furano's costumed character "Hesomaru kun" may join us!?

Bookings : 0120-650-563

Enjoy Autumn Colours!!

Free tickets for the Furano Ropeway cable car
for international guests.

※Show your passport to staff at the Furano Ropeway ticket counter
to receive your free cable car ticket.
■Period 4th June - 16th October 2011■
　 June 4th･5th･11th･12th･18th･19th （Sat & Sun Weekend Only ）
■Open 8am-4pm■
　6am-7pm: 16th July - 21nd August
　Time Every 20min (Eg:8:00/8:20/8:40/9:00)
■Furano Ropeway■
Nakagoryo Furano city Tel:0167-22-1111 Mapcode:919 552 448
It takes 15 minutes by car from JR Furano Station.
Please use‘Kururu Pass’and‘Lavender-Go',
then get off at‘New Furano Prince Hotel’

針對來自海外的旅客，富良野纜車免費券

※領取免費券時請出示護照。
■運行期間■
2011年6月4日・5日・11日・12日・18日・19日 （只有周六・日）
　　從6月25日～10月16日.毎天運行 早上8點～下午4點■7月16日～8月21日■
早上6點～下午7點 毎隔20分鐘運行。（例：8：00/8：20/8：40/9：00）
■富良野纜車■

富良野市中御料　Tel 0167-22-1111 / Mapcode: 919 552 448
從JR富良野站開車15分鐘 請使用「KURURU巴士」
富良野巴士「薰衣草號」，在新富良野王子飯店下車

Autumn has arrived!

A chilly autumn morning.

Daily greetings with acquaintances have started with "chilly".

The Cirrocumulus can be seen typically during autumn in Japan.

Thus when Japanese see these clouds, we feel autumn is here. The cirrocumulus, the mackerel sky is a season word of "Haiku" which are poems like word pictures. They have been around since Edo era.

Report from Furano Grape Juice Factory

Some out of season lavender plants have a second blooming and can be viewed in the fields of the Grape Juice Factory now.

There are not so many but some of the plants form buds in autumn.

This factory stands on the hill surrounded by vineyards.

It offers samples of its grape juices.

People can also enjoy great views spread out before them from the hill.

Sunflowers stand quiet under the sky dyed red by the sunset.

photos courtesy of Furano Grape Juice Factory

Furano Nishi-dake Autumn Colours Climb

Date : Oct 1 (Sat)
Time : 8:30 am
Place : Furano Nishi-dake (mountain)

Starts from the top of the Furano Ropeway and continues to the top of Furano Nishi-dake.
The climb isn't difficult for those with a moderate level of fitness. Suitable for active children.
Furano Alpine Club members will accompany the walk.
Join us!!


Timetable

8:30 am : Meet at the bottom of the Furano Ropeway
2:00 pm : Meet at the top of the Furano Ropeway
2:30 pm : Farewell at the bottom of the Furano Ropeway


Cost (includes Ropeway, insurance, souvenirs, and entrance to the Prince Hotel hot spring baths)
Adults & children over 12 : 2,000 yen
Children under 12 : 1,200 yen
*Pay at the Ropeway.

*Bookings essential from Furano Tourism Association
  0167-23-3388 (between 9 am and 6 pm daily)

Bookings close Sep 29 (Thur)

*You will be informed on Sep 30 if the event is to be cancelled due to bad weather.
  (The event will take place if there is a little bit of rain.)

*Bring your lunch and drinks, also wet weather gear and suitable footwear.

*Please follow the directions of the Furano Alpine Club members.



Organized : Furano Alpine Club and Furano Tourism Association
Cooperation : Furano Ski Resort

Furano Cheese Festival - Report

Furano Cheese Festival was held today.

The warm weather was perfect for outdoor activities.

There were food stalls.

Kids & even adults enjoyed the quoits.
Look at the staffs' jackets!
Milk churns were used in an interesting way. They became the targets for the unusual game of quoits.
The rings were black & white (like holsteins).

There were lots of people inside the shop.

Here is someone learning to milk a "cow"!

Outside the factory people enjoyed the food stalls.

More yakisoba noodles coming up.

Children enjoyed "driving" the old tractor.

Pizzas were Popular!