4-day trip for friends and family: enjoy Asahikawa, Furano, Biei, and lovely drives Arrive at and depart from Asahikawa Airport

Your 4-day trip begins after you pick up a rental car near the airport. First, spend some time enjoying the beautiful and expansive mountain ranges of Mount Taisetsu from your car window, then head for Sounkyo Gorge, where you will find Ryusei and Ginga Falls, which have been listed among the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan.

A popular spot to enjoy the scenery is the Soubaku Dai Observation Deck, located about a 20-minute walk from the Ryusei and Ginga Falls parking area. From here, you can see in one sweeping view both the large and powerful flow of Ryusei Falls and the thin and graceful flow of Ginga Falls, a sight that’s sure to pack a punch. To wrap up your first day’s drive, head to a hot spring in Sounkyo, which is famous as one of the best Hot Spring regions in all of Hokkaido. Let the natural hot springs found in the middle of rich nature gently warm you in both body and spirit.

After waking up at a hot spring resort in Sounkyo, head to Furano, which is a popular area to see flowers. In the summertime, Furano is perfect for cycling. Travelers can easily pick up rental bikes from one of the multiple rental bike shops found on the west side of Furano Station and start on their journey right away! The Furano-Biei Cycling Road stretches across four town areas: Furano City, Nakafurano, Kamifurano, and Biei. There is plenty of signage along the way, so visitors can cycle without worry.

After feeling the refreshing wind all over your body, it’s time to step back into the car and head for the Tokachidake Observatory to see Mount Tokachi. From the Tokachidake Observatory, which is located at an altitude of 930 meters, you can see the mountain range of Mount Tokachi, as well as Asahikawa City and Furano City. Once you’ve enjoyed the 360-degree panoramic view, you can next go to the Fukiage Hot Spring Health Center Hakugin-sou hotel, which is quite close to the observation deck. Looking up at a sky full of stars while soaking in one of the hotel’s numerous outdoor hot springs is sure to make an unforgettable memory.

Today’s another chance to take in Furano’s nature. First, head to Flower Land Kamifurano, which boasts a vast, 100,000 square-meter field of flowers. You can hop on the popular tractor bus and appreciate all the lovely hills as you travel around inside the park, then head for Farm Tomita to see one of Furano’s most famous fields of lavender.

Here, you can enjoy taking a stroll and breathing in the scent of lavender carried by the wind, as well as taste the famous lavender ice cream.

Moreover, if you have some spare time, you can head over to the plantation to take part in a vegetable and fruit picking activity. Nothing beats the taste of in-season fruits and veggies that you’ve harvested yourself. For tonight’s lodging, head to the integrated resort Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, where you can spend some luxurious time in an ideal location surrounded by lush nature.

Wake up a bit early on the last day of your trip to go see some special scenery. You can ride the gondola lift at Hoshino Resort Tomamu and head for Unkai Terrace for a chance to see the “sea of clouds.” The sea of clouds is a majestic, awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, but it is not always present—which makes it all the more special and exciting when you do manage to see it. An observation spot and café are prepared to make the sea of clouds even more enjoyable, and will help make your time above the clouds all the more memorable.

Once you’ve had your fill of some magical scenery, head for the final destination of your trip: the Furano Jam Garden. The jams here are carefully made using old-fashioned techniques, and come in many different types, making them perfect as souvenirs. If you make a reservation in advance, you can also take part in a jam-making class.

To end your trip, let Hokkaido’s vast nature re-energize you at the Rokugou viewing platform found on the premises, and start on your journey back feeling nice and refreshed.