The Furano Cheese Factory is a working dairy and cheese production facility run by Furano city, where visitors can watch cheese-making demonstrations and purchase Furano's artisan cheeses, butter, and dairy products. The attached cafe serves cheese fondue, cheese pizza, and Furano soft-serve ice cream. The surrounding farm setting with views of the Tokachi mountains is part of the attraction.
The Furano Cheese Factory is a municipally operated facility in the Higashitamura district of Furano, combining a working artisan cheese production facility with a visitor-facing cafe and shop. Hokkaido produces more than half of Japan's dairy output, and the Furano basin — fed by meltwater from the Tokachi mountains and blessed with long summer daylight — is among the island's most productive dairy farming regions. The factory translates this agricultural context directly into a visitor experience.
The production facility makes multiple cheese varieties including a mild fresh cheese, a semi-hard aged variety, camembert-style soft-rind cheese, and the fresh mozzarella for which the factory is particularly celebrated. Cheese-making demonstrations are held in the mornings (free of charge) allowing visitors to observe the curdling, pressing, and ageing processes. The artisan scale of production — this is not an industrial operation — means that the cheeses reflect the quality of individual batches from local dairy herds.
The cafe adjacent to the production area serves cheese fondue (a rich pot of Furano cheese with bread and vegetables for dipping), cheese pizza on a thin crust, and fresh mozzarella platters with Furano vegetables. Furano soft-serve ice cream — made with high-fat Hokkaido milk — is available from a separate window counter and is consistently cited as one of the best soft-serve in the region. The menu is modest and unpretentious, oriented toward showcasing the cheese rather than competing with Furano's more diverse restaurant scene.
The factory shop carries a wide range of cheeses, including vacuum-packed varieties suitable for travel and a selection of Furano jams, preserves, and dairy-based condiments that make excellent regional souvenirs.
Good to know
- Known for
- Hokkaido artisan cheese and dairy
- Reservations
- Not required
Highlights
- Working cheese production facility
- Cheese-making demonstrations
- Furano artisan cheese varieties
- Adjacent soft-serve and cafe
Tips for visiting
- Free cheese-making demonstrations in the mornings
- The fresh mozzarella made on-site is remarkable
- Buy Furano cheese to take home — good shelf life with vacuum packaging
Accessibility
The factory and cafe are in low single-story buildings set on flat ground. The surrounding area has paved paths. The facility is generally accessible for wheelchairs; the cheese demonstration viewing area may have limited space during crowded demonstrations. The shop and cafe are at ground level.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors watch cheese being made at the Furano Cheese Factory?
Yes. Free cheese-making demonstrations are held in the production facility, typically in the morning. The schedule varies by day and season; checking the current demonstration times on arrival is advisable.
What cheeses does the Furano Cheese Factory produce?
The factory produces fresh cheese, semi-hard aged cheese, camembert-style soft-rind cheese, and fresh mozzarella. The mozzarella is particularly praised for its freshness and richness. Not all varieties are available year-round; production depends on the season and batch schedule.
Is the Furano Cheese Factory a suitable stop for children?
Yes. The cheese demonstrations, soft-serve window, and open farm surroundings make it well suited to families with children. The factory setting is engaging and the food offerings are broadly appealing.
Can visitors buy Furano cheese to take home?
Yes. The factory shop sells vacuum-packed aged and semi-hard cheese suitable for travel. Fresh mozzarella has a shorter shelf life and is best consumed within a day or two. Aged varieties keep well refrigerated and are popular souvenirs.
Is the Furano Cheese Factory near Farm Tomita?
The Furano Cheese Factory is in the Higashitamura area, approximately 5-6 km from Farm Tomita and 3-4 km from central Furano town. A car or bicycle is the most practical way to combine both in a single day.