Three-Day Road Trip to Some of Hokkaido’s Best Greenery Spots Arrive at New Chitose Airport and depart from Obihiro Airport

To fully enjoy the flower season, you will arrive at New Chitose Airport on an early morning flight. After renting a rental car, you will be headed for the Takino National Suzuran Hillside Park on the outskirts of Sapporo. The "Country Garden" in the park, resembling the idyllic rural landscape of Hokkaido, can be brimming with as many as 200,000 tulips in May. After taking photos with the flower fields all over the hills in the background, you will be driving along the highway to nearly the center of Hokkaido.

Route 237, which runs from Furano to Biei with its lavender fields, is called Hanabito Kaido and is a driving route with a spectacular view. While stopping by Flowerland Kamifurano and Kanno Farm, take some time to slowly appreciate the beautiful land with all the colorful flowers. You will then be driving along the Panorama Road overlooking the Tokachidake mountain range to Shirogane Onsen, where you will be staying for the night. Spice up your trip with some seasonal dishes and natural hot springs.

After waking up from a good night's sleep on the second day, take some time to wait for the sunrise at the Shirogane Blue Pond, near the Shirogane Hot Spring Resort. It is a mysterious pond where the surface of the water looks blueーknown as the "BIEI BLUE"ーand the dead larch trees look fantastic. Take some time to take in the miraculous sight of the pond bathed in the morning light. The Shirohige no Taki (Whitebeard Waterfall) at the origin of the pond is also a must-see.

After breakfast and checking out, you will be headed for Mount Asahidake, the highest peak in Hokkaido. The ropeway will take you to its fifth station, about 1,600 meters above sea level, where you can take a leisurely around for an hour while enjoying the magnificent scenery below. Enjoy the flower fields of precious alpine plants. After getting off the mountain, make sure you stop by Daisetsu Mori no Garden which has a garden and restaurant in the forest, and then go to Sounkyo Hot Spring at the foot of the mountain. Spend a night here at the hot spring pond in the dynamic canyon with cliffs over 100 meters highーyou will not be disappointed. Yes, do take our word for it.

On the last day, you will be going to Obihiro and Tokachi, where you will see some of Hokkaido's best gardens. The Tokachi Millennium Forest, boasting of a natural ecosystem, has many attractions, including a garden that has been praised as the "world's most beautiful garden" in a British gardens competition. You can also go on a guided tour with a Segway, or try your hand at natural cheesemaking or horseback riding.

And before going back home, remember to take some time to visit the Shichiku Garden. The owner of the gardenーaffectionately known as Grandma Shitakeーwas born in 1927. When her husband had passed away when she was 63, Grandma Shitake decided to preserve the flowering fields where she had played as a child, leading her to build the garden. At the garden's restaurant, which is surrounded by flowers and plants, do take some time to enjoy the restaurant's pressed flower cookies and Tokachi's famous pork rice bowl, before making your way to Obihiro Airport. Before hopping on the plane, make sure you have purchased some cheese, sweets, or wine for souvenirs. Now close your eyes, and relive those good moments you have had on the road trip.