What's New in Furano?: 2011-09

30.9.11

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

29.9.11

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.

27.9.11

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

26.9.11

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

25.9.11

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!

24.9.11

Furano Cheese Festival

Date : Sep 25 (Sun)
Time : 10 am ~ 4 pm
Place : Furano Cheese Factory

Food : There will be stalls where local restaurants will serve food
           featuring cheese and milk.
           For example, fondue, ramen noodles, sushi, and cakes, etc.

           Special discounts on pizzas.
           10 % discount on all gelatis and cheeses.

Entertainments : Darts, quoits and more.

Workshops : There are a limited number of half price tickets for the cheese and butter making workshops. (No bookings)

Furano Cheese Factory 0167-23 1156
http://www.furano-cheese.jp/

22.9.11

Autumn changes

Salvias are always blooming at the beginning of autumn in and around Furano.

The flowers are beautiful in the chilly air of autumn.

The flower fields next to Furano Winery are one of the best spots to walk around.

3 km from JR Furano station, 30 min on foot, 15 min by bicycle.

After tasting Furano Wines, how about a walk through the vineyards that are lying on the hill, and having a rest at a sweet shop nearby. Listen to the bell on the hour which was made and imported from Italy.

Ciao :D

21.9.11

Footpath Tour - Hillside Walking Tour

Date : Oct 8 (Sat)
Time : From 10 am - 2 pm
Max : 50 people
Cost : 1,000 yen per person
Shuttle bus is available from Furano Station. (Please arrive by 8:50 am)
Meeting place : Car park at Higashiyama Park Golf Course
Distance : 10 km
* Pork miso soup will be served at the end of the walk.
* Please bring drinks, suitable clothing, umbrella, comfortable shoes and rice balls.

Bookings before Oct 1
@Furano Tourism Association 0167-23-3388

20.9.11

Rafting Tour

FTA joined a test run for the staff after the rise of the river due to the heavy rain.

We started a 6 km run from the upper reaches of the Sorachi River.

The river is heavenly!!

It is said to be a miraculous river for rafting.

While it runs through the upper part of the mountain, the stream is not so exciting.

People can enjoy spectacular views and fresh air along the river.

There are no evidence of man can be seen from the river.

We are embraced by the dense forest.

Soooooo nice!

Who on earth struck upon such a great adventure??!!

It's fun!!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

The rafting staff stopped the boat at various points and checked its safety.

It looks OK so far.

We also enjoyed being soaked :D

Our team work was great!

We all came back extremely satisfied!!

Rafting tours will usually be run until around October.

You will enjoy coloured leaves along the riverside from now on.

It is worth trying.

YES, highly recommended!!

Photos courtesy of SPORTPIA

18.9.11

Furano Wine Festival 2011 - Report

The rain from the morning has cooled the air.
Unfortunately it was not the best weather for an open-air event.

But people gathered and enjoyed the festival.

Iyasaka Taiko Drumming Group!!

There were lots of food stalls.

Of course Furano wines and Furano grape juices were sold there.

The grape crushing demonstration!!

They danced around the wood before the crush!!

How peaceful it was :)

17.9.11

Furano Wine Festival 2011 - Schedule

Furano Wine Festival 2011

Date : Sep 18 (Sun)
Time : 9:45 am ~ 2 pm

Place : Furano Ekimae Park (to the left of Furano Station)
No entry fee
Parking nearby

*9:45 am ~ : Free welcome drinks for the first 100 visitors.
*10 am ~ 2 pm : Wine, sake & food samples available for a small fee.
*10 am ~ 2 pm : "Door" prize - a wine pack
*10 am ~ 2 pm : Juggling & Balloon art activities
*1 pm ~1:30 pm : Taiko drumming performance
*1:30 pm ~ 1:50 pm : Grape crushing demonstration. (The first 10 applicants can join the demo. reception 10 am ~ 1 pm at the centre tent)

15.9.11

Fu Ri Ma - Flea Market

Flea Market

Date : Sep 18 (Sun)

Time : 10 am ~ 2 pm

Place : in River mall (behind Furano Natulux Hotel)

About 20 stalls selling second hand goods.

The event will be canceled if it rains.

14.9.11

Free Violin Recitals

Mayumi Ohira

Concert Master of Sapporo Philharmonic Orchestra

Date : Sep 23 (Fri)

Time : ① 1:30 pm ~ 2:30 pm

② 6:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm

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

Max : 60 people

Booking is essential. tel 0167-22-5777

13.9.11

Furano Hashigo Sake Event

Find 5 in Furano

Choose 5 venues for a drink
Date : Sep 16 (Fri)
Time : 6:30 pm ~ 8:30 pm
Register & start from 6 pm @Furano Chamber of Commerce and Industry (in front of Hotel Sunfuraton)
Goal @Furatto (behind Furano Natulux Hotel)

Enjoy a leisurely drink at 5 venues in Furano.

Once you have visited 5 venues (before 8:30 pm), come to the goal to receive a 500 yen voucher (valid 7 days at any of the listed venues).
Vouchers and the opportunity to win prizes

Advance purchase tickets : 3,000 yen @ Furano Tourism Office
At the door : 3,500 yen
Inquiry 0167-22-3555 (Furano Chamber of Commerce and Industry)