Day 2 Summary:

• 8:30 AM: Car Rental
• Sunagawa Service Area
• 11:00 AM: Ohashi Cherry Farm
• 12:00 PM: Tomita Farm
• 3:00 PM: Furano Cheese Factory
• 4:30 PM: Shirogane Blue Pond (Aoiike) & Shirahige Waterfall
• 7:00 PM: Asahikawa Ramen Village
• Y’s Hotel Asahikawa Station

Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost region, is renowned for its stunning nature and delicious local produce. Despite being a prefecture, Hokkaido stands out as Japan’s largest, both in size and number of municipalities, and is the second-largest island in the country. Unlike other prefectures, it carries the unique designation of “道” (do), stemming from historical classifications during the Meiji period when vast regions like Hokkaido were governed as a whole. While the administrative distinction has since disappeared, Hokkaido’s name remains a nod to its significant past.

Given the region’s size, we opted to drive rather than rely on trains, picking up our rental car at 8:30 am on our second day. For first-time drivers, remember to bring a physical copy of your international license. Car rental agencies often provide map codes for popular destinations, a much simpler navigation method than deciphering Japanese road names. I also recommend getting insurance and an ATC toll card with fixed rates, as tolls can add up quickly—sometimes up to 4,000 yen a day—but the convenience and time savings of expressways make it worth the cost.

8:30 AM After picking up our rental car, we hit the road (taking route 5) with a quick stop at the Sunagawa Service Area for some essentials. Service areas in Japan are little treasure troves—perfect for grabbing souvenirs, snacks, or just stretching your legs.

Sunagawa Service Area
478 Sorachibuto, Sunagawa, Hokkaido 073-0106, Japan

11:00 AM Our first real stop was Ohashi Cherry Farm. Although we were in between seasons and missed the cherry-picking window, we still managed to grab some fresh cherries of different varieties. The golden cherries 月山錦　がっさんにしき　Gassan Nishiki, in particular, were a rare treat—so sweet and delicious! If you’re heading to a farm, I recommend checking their website first to see what fruits are in season. It was fun to sample and buy cherries, even without the full picking experience.

Ohashi Cherry Farm (大橋さくらんぼ園) Oohashi Sakurabo En 
469 Kamiashibetsucho, Ashibetsu, Hokkaido 079-1371, Japan

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12:00 PM Our next destination was the famous Farm Tomita. Known for its sprawling lavender fields, the farm is a must-visit if you’re in the area. Unfortunately, we missed peak lavender season due to the unpredictable weather, but there were still plenty of flowers to admire! The farm blooms year-round, so there’s always something to see, from vivid summer blossoms to early autumn hues.

In addition to exploring Tomita Farm’s seasonal flowers and perfume-making techniques, we decided to stay for lunch to try their unique lavender-infused cuisine. Rather than venturing out, we enjoyed a meal right at the farm, sampling lavender drinks, curries, and a flavorful potato gratin. It was a delightful experience, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to try these creative dishes. We couldn’t resist trying the lavender ice cream—an absolute must—and the lavender-infused drinks. There’s a real charm to sampling lavender dishes while surrounded by fields of flowers. The seasonal melons added an unexpected twist, making the meal both memorable and fitting for our visit.

We also checked out the perfume shop, which was fascinating. You can learn about how different fragrances are created and pick up some calming lavender products for home. Pro tip: Take your time here—there’s plenty of space for snapping those Insta-worthy flower shots!

Farm Tomita (ファーム富田)
15 Kisenkita, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0704, Japan
Map Code Used: 349 276 593
http://www.farm-tomita.co.jp/

Cafe Rene (カフェ ルネ)
１５号, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0731, Japan

3:00 PM: After Farm Tomita, we headed to the Furano Cheese Factory. Here, you can learn how to make cheese, butter, and even ice cream! While we didn’t join a class this time, we still indulged in some freshly made ce cream, and of course, brought home some cheese. The factory offers a great mix of learning and tasting—perfect for a fun family stop.

Furano Cheese Factory (富良野チーズ工房)
Naka5ku, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0013, Japan
Map Code Used: 550 840 201
http://www.furano-cheese.jp/

4:30 PM: Next up, we drove to Shirogane Blue Pond. This scenic spot in Biei is famous for its striking blue waters, a natural phenomenon caused by minerals mixing with the water from nearby Shirahige Falls. The color is almost otherworldly—pictures don’t do it justice, you have got to see it for yourself! We spent some time wandering around, soaking in the beauty from different viewpoints. According to JNTO, the pond was accidentally created when water from the nearby falls mixed with aluminum from the cliff.

Not far from the pond are the Shirahige Falls, which are just as stunning, cascading from layers of volcanic rock. The falls get their name from their resemblance to a white beard— ‘Shirahige’ in Japanese. The water flows out from between two rock layers, with the top layer formed from lava flows during volcanic eruptions. The water is crystal clear, and the whole scene feels like something out of a painting.

Shirogane Blue Pond (Aoiike 白金青い池)
Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan
Map Code Used: 349 568 888
https://www.japan.travel/en/sports/snow/snow-travel/blue-pond/
Parking: 500 yen

Shirahige Waterfall (白ひげの滝)
Map Code Used: 796 182 604
Shirogane, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235, Japan

7:00 PM We rounded off our day with a hearty dinner at Asahikawa Ramen Village. This spot brings together some of the region’s best ramen shops, all in one place. We ended up choosing Tenkin—famous for its rich, buttery Asahikawa-style ramen. (My friend got that and I got another.) The corn and butter combination in the soup was a pleasant surprise, adding a unique sweetness to the savory broth. If you’re a ramen lover, this place is an absolute must. We wanted to try a few but the queues were too long to make that possible. 

Asahikawa Ramen Village (あさひかわラーメン村) / Tenkin (Ramen Village) らーめんや天金 ラーメン村店
Map Code Used: 794 104 54
4 Chome-119-48 Nagayama 11 Jo, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 079-8421, Japan

That wraps up Day 2 of our Hokkaido adventure! From flower fields and fruit farms to cheese factories and breathtaking natural scenery, Hokkaido really knows how to keep you entertained (and well-fed). Don’t forget to subscribe for more travel videos and articles!

Hotel – We stayed at Y’s Hotel Asahikawa Station. There’s parking behind the hotel (Map Code Used: 73943232). Remember check with the hotel reception on whether they have parking coupons. What we did not realise was that the hotel can give you a special fixed rate. You can enter and exit as many times as you want during that window before you check out.

Y’s Hotel Asahikawa Station (ワイズホテル 旭川駅前)
〒070-0030 Hokkaido, Asahikawa, Miyashitadori, 9 Chome−2−17 ツルハビルディング ３階～１２階https://yshotel-asahikawa.com/