Farm Tomita's on-site cafe and food stalls are an essential stop during any Furano flower field visit. The farm produces lavender-infused soft-serve ice cream (lavender soft), lavender-scented desserts, melon-flavoured sweets, and seasonal flower-themed confectionery. The lavender soft-serve — a pale purple swirl — has become one of the most photographed foods in Hokkaido. The melon from nearby Furano farms is exceptional in season.
Farm Tomita in the Nakafurano area of the Furano-Biei region is the most visited farm in Hokkaido and one of the most photographed landscapes in Japan, thanks to its rows of lavender and wildflowers that come into bloom each July. The farm's food and refreshment operations are built around these flowers, producing edible products from the lavender grown on-site and incorporating Furano's legendary dairy and melon into a range of treats.
The lavender soft-serve is the item that most visitors come for. A soft, pale purple swirl of lavender-infused soft cream, it has become a symbol of Hokkaido summer tourism — the combination of delicate floral perfume and the rich Hokkaido milk base produces something genuinely different from ordinary soft-serve. The queue for the soft-serve stall (located in the Hana Kafe area of the farm) builds rapidly after 10:00 and stays long through the midday peak; arriving before 9:30 or after 15:00 is the most effective strategy for a shorter wait.
Furano melon — the prized cantaloupe variety grown in the volcanic soil of the Furano basin — is available from late June through August. The melons are sold whole and cut, and their orange flesh is extraordinarily sweet and aromatic. A cut melon served with Hokkaido fresh cream is one of the finest summer eating experiences in all of Hokkaido. Lavender-flavoured confectionery, cosmetics, and dried lavender products fill the on-site shop.
The farm is open year-round but is most compelling in July when the lavender is at peak bloom. A car or taxi from Nakafurano Station is required; the farm has a large free car park.
Good to know
- Known for
- Lavender ice cream and Hokkaido milk sweets
- Reservations
- Not applicable
Highlights
- Iconic lavender soft-serve ice cream
- Furano melon soft-serve
- Set within the beautiful flower fields
- Lavender and flower-infused confectionery
Tips for visiting
- The soft-serve queue gets long at midday — visit early or late
- The Furano melon is extraordinary in season (July-August)
- Lavender cosmetics and foods are good souvenirs from the on-site shop
Accessibility
Farm Tomita's outdoor areas are on gently sloping grounds with gravel and paved paths. The main soft-serve and shop areas are accessible on paved flat surfaces. Some field paths are gravel or grass and may be difficult for wheelchairs in wet conditions. The large car park has no noted accessibility restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
When does the lavender bloom at Farm Tomita?
Lavender typically blooms from late June through late July, with peak colour in mid-July. The exact timing varies slightly each year depending on the weather. The farm's website publishes field status updates during the season.
Is admission charged to enter Farm Tomita?
No — entry to Farm Tomita's grounds and fields is free. Payment is only for food, soft-serve, and products purchased on-site.
Is a car necessary to visit Farm Tomita?
A car provides the most flexibility for visiting Farm Tomita and the wider Furano-Biei area. However, seasonal tourist buses and taxis from Nakafurano and Furano stations serve the farm during July and August.
What is the Furano melon and why is it famous?
Furano melon is a cantaloupe variety grown in Hokkaido's Furano basin, prized for its deep orange flesh and exceptional sweetness. The volcanic soil and Hokkaido's cool, sunlit summers produce a flavour intensity that makes Furano melon among the most celebrated in Japan.
Is the lavender soft-serve only available in July?
The lavender soft-serve is available throughout the farm's peak season, which extends from May through October. However, July — when the lavender fields are in full bloom — is the most atmospheric time to eat it on-site.