Snow Season Kick Off Party, TOMORROW!!

Come and enjoy a great night out with the locals!

http://www.furanotourism.com/english/Assets/images/furanowelcomeparty12-13.pdf

Skiers/Snowboarders Information

It's the first day of December.
Some ski resorts in Central Hokkaido started operation for this season today.

4 ski resorts in Hokkaido Powder Belt are now available for skiing.

Furano Ski Resort
The whole Sailer run is open from today.
You can ski down more than 3 km from the top of the ropeway station to the bottom.

Lift operations:
Furano Ropeway 8:30-15:00
Downhill Romance No.2 chair 8:45-15:00

Open courses:
Spies Course(upper)
Sailer Course
Shirakaba Course
(Skiing is restricted to the some part of the mountain at the moment)
http://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/furano/index.html

Tomamu (Hoshino Resort)

Lift operations:
Alpha Cabin 9:00-15:30
Lift 3 9:00-15:30
Lift 6 9:00-15:30

Open courses:
Aspen Bahn
Naster
Beginner Slope
Silver Bells
http://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/ski/frame.htm

Kamui Ski Links

Lift operations:
Kamui Gondola 9:00-15:00
#1-#3 Lift 9:00-15:00
#4 List 9:00-16:45
http://www.kamui-skilinks.com/

Daisetsuzan Sounkyo-Kurodake Ropeway

Lift operations:
Ropeway 8:00-16:00
Lift 9:00-15:20
http://www.rinyu.co.jp/modules/pico01/

Furano Ski Resort

The snow season started on Nov 23.

At the moment the skiing is restricted to the upper mountain and to return to base it is necessary to use Furano Ropeway.

The weather forecast is snow everyday this week.

Hope it extends across the resort soon.

http://www.princehotels.com/en/ski/furano/index.html

Information about closure of some Furano ski runs during the 2012 /2013 ski season

1 Jan 11 - 13  Giant run – closed for “All Hokkaido Junior High School Ski Competition”

2 Feb 16 - 17   Giant run – closed for “Hokkaido Disabled Ski Competition”

3 Feb 23      Giant run – closed for “Serge Lang Cup”

4 Mar 3       Giant run – closed for “Hokkaido Red Cross Ski Patrol Competition”

5 Mar 10 – 17  Spies run and Ropeway run – closed for “Furano City’s Mayor’s Cup / Inter High School Selected Students Skiing Competition“

Mar 11- 17   Technical run and Panorama run – closed for “Furano City’s Mayor’s Cup / Inter High School Selected Students Skiing Competition”

6 Mar 31      Spies run – closed for “Kimura Kiminobu Cup Giant Slalom skiing competition”

Autumn leaves

Beautiful red and yellow leaves have finally arrived at Daisetsuzan, the highest mountain group in Hokkaido.

This is 2 weeks later than usual.

The autumn leaves gradually spread down gradually to town.

Why not come to Furano area to enjoy taking a hot spring whilst viewing these beautifully coloured mountains on a balmy autumn day?

Furano Wine Festival 2012

Date : Sep 16 (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)

Pub Crawl in Furano tonight!

- HASHIGO ZAKE TAIKAI (Pub Crawl Night)- 

- Choose 5 venues for a drink across 37 Furano pubs -

                               Step inside a new pub, enjoy a glass of drink, stroll on to the next registered pub which takes your fancy and...
                repeat this delicious process. Collect 5 stamps on your Hashigo entry card (one from each pub)
         and show it at the finish point within 2 hours to be eligible for sake vouchers (mmmm!) and prizes.

         Entry tickets include the cost of those 5 different pubs' drink...way cheaper than usual drink prices!

Date: Sep 14 (Fri)

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Register & start from 6 pm @ Furatto (behind Furano Natulux Hotel)

Goal @  Furano Chamber of Commerce and Industry (in front of Hotel Sunfuraton)
 

 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

 On the night - 3,500Y

Furano Fireworks Display

Let’s brighten the end-of-summer sadness by viewing beautiful fireworks with Furano locals!

Date: Sept 2 2012

Time: From 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm

* Postponed in case of heavy weather.

* Sound only fireworks will be let off at noon, 3 pm and 6 pm in order to let indicate that  the display will be held on that evening.

Place: The Sorachi River dry riverbed behind Furano High School or the east side of the Gojo Bridge

Event Host: Furano Firework Display Executive Committee.

Time saving sightseeing tour by reserved taxi!

Suggested itineraries

①     Mini-sightseeing tour in Furano town (required time 1 hour and half)

A recommended tour covering from the three most popular tourist spots in Furano town.

Furano Winery, Furano Cheese Factory, New Furano Prince Hotel (Ningle Terrace/Kaze-no Garden(Cottage Garden)

　　

   Minicab 9,900 yen   Large taxicab 12,600 yen

②     Rokugo area tour (required time 2 hours)

Rokugo is the outskirts of Furano where there is Furano Jam Garden, Anpanman shop and Glass Forest (Glass Gallery, workshop and shops).

   Minicab 13,200 yen    Large taxicab 16,800 yen

③    Farm Tomita and Rokugo area tour(required time 3 hours)

A golden tour with Farm Tomita added to the Rokugo area tour.

Minicab 19,800 yen   Large taxicab 25,200 yen

④    Great outdoor free planning tour (required time 4 hours)

A tour with glorious view of Biei’s rolling hills and magnificent nature.

Shikisai-no Oka, Takushin-kan (Photo gallery) and Patchwork Area (Ken and Merry Tree, Seven Stars’s tree, etc)

Minicab 26,400 yen   Large taxicab 33,600 yen

* You are allowed to change the itinerary within the required time.

 Please ask the information staff for bookings.

Furano hops in a fresh beer!

The harvest of hops which will be used brewing Sapporo beer started recently in the contracted farms in Kamifurano.

The hops are important ingredients which help to create the bitter taste and good flavour.

This work will continue until the end of August.

It is said that the beers using these hops will be sold about next January so those who come to ski may taste Furano hops in a fresh beer.

Luncheon mats making class in Furano by “Chokkura Tabi” – Special Local Tour

Furano is one of the Japan’s most advanced cities for recycling waste.

How about using some recycled cloth and making your own original luncheon mat?

It’s so easy using a foot-operated weaving machine, even beginners can join the class.

Instructor: Ms Shizuko Kobayashi

Place: “Marugoto Taiken Mura” at Yamabe (about 15 min by car from JR Furano Station)

Time: ①10:00am-11:30am ②2:00pm-3:30pm　(bookings needed)

Fee: 2,500 yen (children 2,500 yen) including the material cost

Application deadline: 2 days before the desired Saturday.

Up to 3 people per class

Open: Every Saturday until Oct 27 2012

Enquiry: Furano Tourism Association

Tel: +81-167-22-5777 9:00am – 6:00pm Japan time

Fax: +81-167-235014

inquiry@furanotourism.com

Furano Bellybutton Festival

July 28 & 29 2012

The 44th Furano Bellybutton Festival will be held in Furano Town.

Here are the details:

Taiwanese: http://www.furanotourism.com/english/Furano_Heso_Fes(CH).pdf
Chinese: http://www.furanotourism.com/english/Furano_Heso_Fes(CH02).pdf
English: http://www.furanotourism.com/english/Furano_Heso_Fes.(EN).pdf
Korean: http://www.furanotourism.com/english/Furano_Heso_Fes(KO).pdf

If you would like to join the dance parade,
please come to our information office next to JR Furano Station from 2:30 pm on the day.

Here is the detailed costs of participations:

http://www.furanotourism.com/english/festivals.htm

We will show you the way to the reception desk of the organiser.
The costume hire is available for the first 50 participants each day.



Enjoy the summer festival in Furano!

Lavender flowers in bloom!

Here is the link to the famous Farm Tomita's flower fields today:

http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/jp/see/flowering/index.html

[1] IRODORI Field
[2] Traditional Lavender Field
[3] HANABITO Field

Today is the middle day of the three-day weekend.
Tomorrow is Umi no Hi (Marine Day) national holiday.

It must be the busiest but perfect Sunday of the year in Furano today.

Please enjoy beautiful flowers and this good weather.

Furano Loop Bus "Kururu-Go" Runs in Town Until Aug 15 2012

 

For just 1000 yen for a 2 day pass, this service offers an unlimited ride in order to visit Furano’s most popular sightseeing spots.

http://www.furanotourism.com/english/hyperlinks/getting-shuttle-Kururubus.htm

You will receive special deals from supporting companies such as shops, restaurants etc, when you show your Kururu Pass.

This is a simple, flexible and inexpensive way to find out more about Furano and it’s wonderful attractions.

Fireworks Display schedule around Furano Area

Jul 22 Sun 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm Kamifurano

Jul 28 Sat 8:00 pm - 8:45 pm Nakafurano

Jul 29 Sun 8:00 pm - 8:40 pm Minamifurano

You can view the fireworks by taking a day trip to each one by train from Furano.

Here is the train schedule:

http://www.furanotourism.com/english/Fruano_Biei_Round_Tour_Ticket.pdf 

About Minamifurano:

The last train from JR Higashi Shikagoe Station (Lake Kanayama in Minamifurano) leaves at 9:41 pm,

arriving at JR Furano Station at 10:29 pm.

Information from Furano Police Station

Free tickets for the Furano Ropeway Cable Car for international guests

Is your radio device allowed in Japan?

This is information by MIC (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications).

The use of foreign standard radio device is strictly prohibited in Japan.

English http://www.soumu.go.jp/soutsu/hokkaido/eng.htm
Chinese http://www.soumu.go.jp/soutsu/hokkaido/chi.htm
Taiwanese http://www.soumu.go.jp/soutsu/hokkaido/twn.htm
Korean http://www.soumu.go.jp/soutsu/hokkaido/kor.htm

Get Furano Ski Resort Lift Pass (and more prize!!)

Furano has special offer to international guest for next winter season.
Please visit and answer to our easy questiniar and get Furano Ski Resort Lift Pass!

Hurry up by June 30.Visit our website and join us!

Furano Arts and Craft Market 2012

More than 100 artists and craftsmen will gather for this art & craft event.

This is a 2 day market for artists and shops based in Hokkaido.

Date: June 23(Sat), 24(Sun) 2012

Time: From 10 am to 5 pm

Place: Furano Lifelong Learning Centre

Entrance fee: Free

They sell fancy goods, furniture, clothes, pottery, glassware, accessories, etc.

Workshops for making candles, woodwork, etc will be available for children and adults.

There will be food stalls for coffee, sweets, curry, etc.

Local farm products will be sold.

http://furano-crema.main.jp/pc/

Free Cembalo (Harpsichord) Recital

A café & gallery “Akanara” will open on May 27 2012 at the former “Kitadokei” which was used for TV shootings.

This café is a log cabin with a cosy atmosphere located next to Asahigaoka park in Kitanomine.

There will be a free cembalo Recital by Miyuki Akera (明楽みゆき) to celebrate the opening day.

Café & Gallery Open: May 27 (Sun) 10.00 am

Free recital: 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm

Opening hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Closed: Wednesdays

Menu: coffee and other drinks

Illuminated garden at the New Furano Prince Hotel

You can enjoy a fantastic “Night Garden” and the stars while breathing fresh air from the mountain.

Lit up nightly until 8.30 pm from June 16 to Sept 30.

Opening hours: 8.00 am – 8.30 pm (Last entrance at 8.00 pm)

Entrance fee: 500 yen

*After 7.15 pm, is the best time to enjoy the “Night Garden” because of the sunset time.

Felt mobile (Kinetic art) making class in Furano by “Chokkura Tabi” – Special Local Tour

http://web.mac.com/kao560/Site/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%AB%E3%83%88%E3%80%80%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C.html#2

This studio stands on the same premises as the Furano-no-Garasuya-san.

Inside there are lots of cute small articles made of felt!

You can now make a mobile of glass and felt. This is a good activity for both children and adults.

You can take the work home with you.

There are various colours of felt available for an extra fee. 

Instructor: Chikako YAMAGUCHI

Place: Furano-no-Feltya-san 2-5-3 Kita Oonuma

Time: ① 10:00 am – 11:30 am ②2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, May 1 – Sept 28

Fee: 3,150 yen (children 3,150 yen) including class fee and materials

Application deadline: a day before the desired lesson day

Precondition for joining: over primary school children (Please inquire about under primary school children)

Closed: from time to time

Enquiry: Furano Tourism Association

Tel: +81-167-22- 5777  9:00 am – 6:00 pm Japan time

Fax: +81-167-23-5014

inquiry@furanotourism.com

Glass clock making class in Furano by “Chokkura Tabi” – Special Local Tour

http://web.mac.com/kao560/Site/%E3%82%AC%E3%83%A9%E3%82%B9%E6%99%82%E8%A8%88%E3%80%80%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C%E4%BD%93%E9%A8%93.html

There is a glass workshop amid fields about 7-8 minutes by car from the JR Furano station.

How about making an original glass clock as reminder of your stay whilst breathing the fresh air in Furano?

It will take about 2 weeks to finish the work.

Delivery service is available for an extra fee.

You can upgrade the clock according to its size or design.

Instructor: Kazuki YAMAGUCHI

Place: Furano-no-Garasuya-san 2-5-3 Kita Oonuma

Time: ① 10:00 am – 11:30 am ②2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, May 1 – Sept 30

Fee: 3,675 yen (children 3,675 yen) including class fee and materials

Application deadline: a day before the desired lesson day

Precondition for joining: over primary school children (Please inquire about under primary school children)

Closed: from time to time

Enquiry: Furano Tourism Association

Tel: +81-167-22- 5777  9:00 am – 6:00 pm Japan time

Fax: +81-167-23-5014

inquiry@furanotourism.com

14 km walk including picking and tasting asparagus in the outskirts of Furano by "Chokkura Tabi" - Special Local Tour

Asparagus comes into season in June.

Enjoy seasonal asparagus while walking in the beautiful spring hills.

The sheer indulgence of boiled, grilled and white asparagus, and asparagus ice cream!

Drop in to an asparagus farm to see how it grows and enjoy picking it.

There will be a farmers’ market where pork miso soup using plenty of local vegetables will be served at the destination.

Please bring rice balls or something for your lunch.

All ages are welcome. Feel free to join in if you are by yourself.

Please come to the JR Furano station by 8.50 am if you need a courtesy bus (bookings needed).

Place: Higashiyama Park Golf Course Car Park in Furano

Schedule: Reception 9.30 am – Transfer to the starting point by bus 9.45 am – Start 10 am – Finish 2.30 pm (planned)

Fee: 1,500 yen (children 1,500 yen) including participation fee and insurance

Application deadline: May 25 2012

Precondition for joining: over primary school children

Clothes: suitable shoes and clothes

Equipment: Drinks, Cotton work gloves, wet weather gear.

Note: Carried out rain or shine. The tour or the the picking may be cancelled by bad weather.

Plan & Host: Jukai no Sato Moriage Tai

Enquiry: Furano Tourism Association

Tel: +81-167-22- 5777  9:00 am – 6:00 pm Japan time

Fax: +81-167-23-5014

inquiry@furanotourism.com

Information from JR Hokkaido

Check this JR Hokkaido Mail Magazine to find information about tickets, sightseeing train and buses, model courses, etc.

http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e/ml201205.pdf

Pottery lesson in Furano by "Chokkura Tabi" - Special Local Tour

Enjoy taking part in a pottery lesson and having a specially cooked lunch using local vegetables.

A ceramic artist, Yasutaka OTSUKI, teaches you how to produce original work using hand forming methods as well as an electric potter’s wheel at Noragama kiln which is located in a rural area. Coffee and sweets are served.

After finishing the class, a daily lunch will be served using seasonal local vegetables specially made by Café Nora next to the workshop.

It will take about 4 months for your project to be finished, so the work will be delivered by post (extra fee).

Place: Noragama kiln, Furano Shimo 5 ku

Time: 10 am – 1 pm, April 15 – Sept 30 2012

Fee: 5,000 yen (children 5,000 yen) including lesson fee, materials, coffee, sweets, and lunch

Application deadline: a day before the desired lesson day

Precondition for joining: over 8 years old

Closed: Thursdays

Enquiry: Furano Tourism Association

Tel: +81-167-22-5777 9 am – 6 pm Japan time

Fax: +81-167-23-5014

inquiry@furanotourism.com

Furano Loop Bus operats from July 1 to Aug 15 in 2012

Use this bus to get to the various attractions in Furano!
Here is the link to the details:


http://www.furanotourism.com/english/hyperlinks/getting-shuttle-Kururubus.htm

Cherry blossoms in Furano

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Asahigaoka Park in Kitanomine.



Flower report

We are happy to announce that the Japanese national flower, sakura (cherry blossom) has finally started blooming in Furano.

 

The sky is dull and a south wind is blowing.
But there are various flowers blooming here and there, such as Kobushi magnolia, daffodils, azaleas, etc.

 

This weekend will be the best time to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom around town.

 

 

 

 

 

Furano group 2012 Summer Performance

ashita, kanashibetsu de 2012

http://www.kuramotoso.jp/mov_kanashibetsu_111225_autoplay.html

http://www.kuramotoso.jp/furano-group.php

Are there any gods in this country at all?

Tens of thousands of people were robbed their hometown.

Not a single soul could be saved in the end.

Are there really any gods?

Two sincere young men are entering a deep old pit that was full of memories with little hope in their hearts.

Dates: 16 June 2012 (Sat) – 8 July 2012 (Sun)

Venue: Furano Theatre Factory

Fee: 3,500 yen in advance、4,000 yen on the day

Tickets can be purchased at the Furano Tourism Association.

Free theatre bus services are also provided to and from the Furano Theatre Factory.

Booking & Enquiry: 0167-39-0333 Furano Theatre Factory

Furano Trail Running 2012

http://furano-trail.net/index.html

Would you like to learn the meaning of challenge?

Date: 17 June 2012 (Sun)

Place: Furano Ski Resort

Content: Intermediate and advanced 30 km for over 16 years old

         Intermediate 15 km for over 16 years old

         Beginners 10 km for over middle school students

         Children 3 km for over fourth-year student

         Nordic walking 5 km- 7 km for the first 50 applicants

Deadline: 31 May 2012 (Thur)

Fee: 6,000 yen for 30 km, 5,000 yen for 15 km, 4,000 yen for 10 km, 2,000 yen for 3 km and Nordic walking

Host: Furabo http://furabo.net/
 

Bureau: Furano Trail Running planning committee　
            090-9354-8134　(Ms Shinoda)

Mail: info@furano-trail.net

Hokkaido Furano EARTHRide 2012

Feel and enjoy the great outdoors in Furano while having a ride on your bike!

125 km, 85 km, 55 km

Date: 24 June 2012 (Sun)

Start: 7 am at Furano Sports Centre

Main Venue: Furano Sports Centre

Fee: 13,000 yen including welcome party, number, souvenir, T-shirt, certificate, aide service and insurance

Application deadline: 10 June 2012

Bureau: 0167-39-2312 Furano City Economic & Tourism

             03-5469-5121 EARTHRide Head Office

Enquiry: info@multi-sports.co.jp

http://www.earth-ride.jp/hokkaido/hokkaido_gaiyou_en.html

Snow Report

It was a fantastic skiing day yesterday with new snow overnight.

The snow was silky-like powder at the top of the moutain.

People could enjoy knee-deep snow on the side of the runs or ungroomed runs.

The temperature will stay below zero for these 2 days,

so people can enjoy great skiing this weekend :D

 

 

 

Free tickets for the Furano Ropeway Cable car for international guests

Snow Report

Consecutive days of snow in April has made the town a pure white vista as it was in winter.
While cherry blossoms in Tokyo were announced to be blooming officially on March 31, those who have a chance to spend a holiday in Furano are enjoying good skiing.

There was a schuss race held for everyone offering lavish prizes on the Prince run last Sunday.

Furano Ski Area caters for all levels of skiers with good snow.
The snow will continue to fall through the week.
It would be a wonderful bonus week for people who love skiing/snowboarding :)

Information of the Ski Resort

Kitanomine Zone: Tomorrow March 25 is the last day of operations.
Furano Zone: is scheduled to open until May 6.

Today's resort conditions: cloudy, 200 cm of snow-depth at the top, 135 cm at the bottom, just below freezing and powder snow.
Soft snow still remains on the ungroomed runs.

Night skiing for this season finishes at 8:00 pm today.

Please enjoy skiing to the full.

The Last Sunday Night Live

The last Sunday in February was our last cultural night for this season.

Kyokushin Karate and Iyasaka Taiko Drumming gave exciting performances.

Audience members were invited to give both karate & taiko drumming a try....and they did!

There were also some little cultural experiences such as calligraphy, origami and face painting.

A big thank you to all who have attended our shows :)

Snow report

FTA had a chance to go out on the mountain yesterday – incredible!!!

People were coming down to the chair lifts with irrepressible smiles, because they were soaking in waist-deep powder making beautiful splashes.

Today it’s cold, maybe around – 10 degrees but the sun is shining. People are cruising through the left over snow :)