What's New in Furano?: 2011-08

31.8.11

Onion Farm Report

Our farmer correspondent sent us some photos of harvesting onions, telling that Hokkaido ranks first in its production in Japan. And Furano makes it No. 2 in Hokkaido.

The air smells faintly of onions along the farming area in Furano during the summer :D

After getting enough nutrients, the leaves fall down.

Then the bulbs are growing fat for about one month in the soil, and the leaves are getting withered.

After farmers confirm the outside skin becomes dried and coloured, they start digging onions with this special helping machine. This device, Picker, can help to dig onions from 2~3 hectare of land a day!

This work is usually done among the neighbouring farmers :D

30.8.11

Nordic Walking Event in Furano

Join the Nordic Walking Event

Date : Saturday 10 Sept 2011
For 8 km, 6 km, 1.5 km!!
Reception : 9:00 am ~
at Town Hall next to Nakafurano town office
Opening ceremony : 9:30 am
Social Party : 5:00 pm ~ 7:30 pm (2,500 yen)

Date : Sunday 11 Sept 2011
For 9 km, 5 km, 1.5 km!!
Reception : 8:30 am ~
at Nakafurano Flower Park parking area
Start : 9:30~
Including Lucky Draws

Fee: 2,000 yen, which covers either one or both events

Contact : nw.net@song.ocn.ne.jp

28.8.11

Ashi-Yu or An onsen for your feet

Have you heard about Ashi-Yu or an onsen for your feet?

There is one in Nakafurano along Route 237 about 5 km to the north from Jr Nakafurano Station.

This is free for everyone!!

We met local people who already had been soaking their feet for more than 20 min.

They frequent this place and told us beginners the efficient way of soaking :D

Sooooo nice!

It makes you feel just great!!!

27.8.11

Blue Pond & Blue River in Shirogane Hot Springs

Shirogane Hot Springs is a part of Daisetsuzan National Park.

There is a beautiful pond called "Blue Pond" that attracts lots of people along the White Birch Way about 25 mins. from JR Biei station by car.

There is also a beautiful waterfall called "Shirahige no Taki" about 5 kilometers above the blue river. "Shirahige" means a grey beard.

This waterfall isn't frozen even in a severe winter.

The view always helps FTA feel refreshed :D

26.8.11

Sunflower report from Beberui, Nakafurano

Beberui is a beautiful farmland.

Sometimes sunflowers suddenly appear in the middle of the fields in summer.

But the sunflower around here is a green manure crop, so it is destined to be plowed in order to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

It will appear in some different fields next year.

Photos courtesy of Akaneyado

25.8.11

Furano Be・er Mall report

4 times on Fridays in July and August

a temporary beer garden opens in an open space around JR Furano station.

Each time about 1,000 people

enjoy good live music,

delicious food served by local restaurants

with Sapporo beer made from Furano hops.

Dance! Dance! Dance!

12th Aug was the last for this summer.

The Furano Be・er Mall executive confirms that they hold the events next summer!!

Photos courtesy of the Furano Be・er Mall executive

24.8.11

Flower report from Biei

If you come to this area after lavender flowers have gone in August,

you will see these multicoloured flower fields like this.

This is when the meadow sages, the French marigolds, and the plumed cockscombs are at their best.

These flowers will be planned to bloom in rotation in the fields until October.

Isn't it gorgeous, no?

The photos taken by FTA

23.8.11

Sunflower report

For viewing sunflowers, there are several places to be recommended this week.

Go to the Rokugo observatory!

What a cute pattern!!

And in an arbor next to the Anpanman flower bed, FTA found a great board on which the English explanation that FTA was asked to translate last year was written!!
It is a distinct honour!!

Back to sunflowers, other options are the flower fields within 20 min walk from JR Nakafurano station!!

Let's go take some great pictures!!

22.8.11

Breathtaking views from Beberui, Nakafurano

Look!!!

A rainbow is just on the summit of Mt. Tokachi-dake!!

Potato flowers and the Daisetsuzan mountain range - typical scenery in early July

A sea of golden wheat

There is a fountain well-known among locals in Beberui :D

The photos taken in July in Beberui, Nakafurano.

Courtesy Akaneyado

21.8.11

Weather report from Kamifurano

Sugar beet field in Kamifurano

Cumulonimbus clouds above Asahikawa airport

It was cloudy this morning but the mountains came out late afternoon.

The highest temperature was 25 degrees.

The view from Senbo Pass

Just great!

19.8.11

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