10 Things to Do in Furano City

10 Things to Do in Furano City

Furano (富良野市) is a scenic city in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. The city's name originates from the Ainu term "Fura-nui," which translates to "stinky flame" or "foul-smelling place." This likely refers to the sulfurous fumaroles or volcanic vents found on the nearby Mt. Tokachi.

For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Furano City:

Furano City manhole covers

1. Take a picture of the manhole covers of Furano City. So far, I have seen 3 unique manhole covers in the city, they are common around the city. The colored version of one of them is displayed inside the Furano City Hall.

Furano Shrine

2. Visit the Furano Shrine (富良野神社). It’s the main shrine of the city of Furano. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail of the shrine’s goshuin if you are collecting them.

Lone Cherry Tree of Kamigoryo

3. Admire the beauty of the Lone Cherry Tree of Kamigoryo (上御料の一本桜). Visit during the Sakura blossom season to fully appreciate its beauty. 

Furano City Museum

4. Visit the Furano City Museum (富良野市 博物館). It’s a former elementary school that was repurposed to house exhibits about the history of the city. What’s nice about this museum is that it does not charge any entrance fee. 

Rokugo Forest

5. Visit the Rokugo Forest (麓郷の森) and check out the log hut which was used as a filming location of the famed 1980s TV series Kita no Kuni Kara (北の国から) or “From the North Country” featuring Kunie Tanaka and Tomoko Nakajima. 

Shinatora Ramen

6. Try the Shina Ramen at Shinatora Ramen (らぁめん 支那虎). According to most of those who already tried it, it is one of the best ramen in the region.

Furano Wine Factory

7. Try the wine at Furano Wine Factory (ふらのワイン工場). This small cozy wine factory offers free wine tasting of the region's best wines. It’s FREE. You can also buy some bottles to bring home. Aside from that, you can dine at the nearby Furano Wine House (ふらのワインハウス) where aside from fine wine, you can also try its delicious steak.

Glass Forest in Furano

8. Pick up glass craft souvenirs at Glass Forest in Furano (グラス･フォレスト in 富良野). You'll find a wide variety of glass creations to choose from. Plus, many of the staff speak English, making it easy to discover the perfect design for you.

Furano Cheese Factory 

9. Visit Furano Cheese Factory (富良野チーズ工房). This cheese shop offers tours, cheese tasting, and many more. If you love cheese or are curious about how it is made, then this place should be on your itinerary. 

Ningle Terrace

10. Explore Ningle Terrace (ニングルテラス). The best time to go is in the afternoon when the log huts sell traditional handicrafts and the pathways are beautifully illuminated. Personally, I think winter is the ideal season to visit, as the snowy backdrop enhances the area's charm.

I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Furano City gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this scenic city in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido.

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