Visiting Japan 2 - Hokkaido

18 July 2010, leaving Sashi's house in Niigata at 8.30 am to the ferry terminal to board the ferry, Shin Nihonkai at 10.30am to Otaru, Hokkaido. Sashi bought tickets 2nd class berth return for Yen 14,250 but Sashi has to pay more because she took her car along. My suggestion to share cost was turned down. Cruising in the Shin Nihonkai was just like cruising Star Cruise to Penang, Langkawi and Phuket. The ship is well equipped and huge with quite a big crowd on the way to Hokkaido as the Japanese were enjoying a long weekend.










We were treated to a traditional Japanese dance from Sado Island at Niigata. Like most eastern countries the dancers were only men. Though the number of ship passengers were quite large, the sail was calm and quiet, thanks to the well disciplined culture of the Japanese.
We arrived at Otaru around 4.30am and the day was already bright. Weather forecast said it would rain in Hokkaido. Sashi and I prayed that the rain would stay away until we visited all the lavender farms as we planned - it did, in the morning! This would be a first visit to see lavender farms for Sashi too and we looked forward to the experience with much anticipation.

Sashi has planned the itinerary for this visit from 18 to 22 july 2010.

Visit 1 - Chow Ei Lavender Farm, Furano, Hokkaido.
I was fascinated by rows and rows of lavender shrubs. The air was fresh with scintillating lavender scent. This was my first sight of lavender planted in abundance and I was in awe. Our cameras clicked non-stop. Every angle looked superb. Sashi, though a Japanese, has not been here before. We were two excited senior 'teenagers'. The farm planted colourful flowers as well, in rows making it looked so gorgeous. I was informed that in winter when lavender lay dormant, the hillside is used for skiing, that explains the chair lifts found there.





As this was our first lavender farm, we spent quite some time there forgetting there were many more we were supposed to visit.



Lavender shrub.














Sashi taking photos of hilly lavender field.














Taken from downhill, Chow Ei Lavender farm, Furano, Hokkaido.















Lavender field decoratively planted with colourful flowers.













The public park next to Chow Ei Farm.












Visit 2 - Tomita Lavender Farm, Furano, Hokkaido.
The day was still clear. Tomita farm is reputed to be the biggest lavender farms in Japan and it is. We have to walk and walk on flat land as well as climbing the hills. Purple lavender colour spread in big expanse of land intermitten by colourful lilies, marygold, sunflowers and other flowers which I am ignorant of their names. Indeed, it was a sight to behold. By this time we were tired of walking and in need to rest our poor feet, so we weren't able to explore every field at Tomita.









At Tomita Farm with Sashi.

























Visit 3 - Tomita Farm East, Furano.





Welcoming entrance at Tomita Farm East, Furano.















Rows and rows of purplish-pink lavender decorated the landscape at Tomita Farm East with green-blue hills as the backdrop.













Scenery of Tomita Farm East from the lookout platform.









Visit 4. Kanno Lavender Farm, Furano.
Another gorgeous lavender farm with wild flowers grow in abundance on the hill is Kanno Lavender Farm. Unfortunately by the time we arrived there on 19 July, it was raining. So the visit was a swift one but the next day we returned to the Kanno again as the day was bright and hot.















Kanno Farm taken from downhill.











Wild flowers grow in abundance at Kanno. From the top of the hill, there is a breathtaking view of green farms across the road.
















Another fabulous scenery of Kanno Farm and its neighbours.









Visit 5. Saribu Hill Lavender Farm and and Otomu Lavender Farm, Biei.







Picturesque Saribu Hill Lavender Farm in Biei.











With Sashi.















Rows of white lavender at the car park.

















From Saribu Hill Lavender Farm overlooking Otomo Lavender farm as its neighbour.












Striking huge red lillies lined Saribu Hill Lavender Farm making the farm filled with riots of colours. It was sheer magic.















Otomo Lavender farm lookout house which we failed to visit. Our feet have given way and we needed much rest by flopping down on the clean fresh green grass.











Lavender, Otomo Farm.














Otomo Farm sun flowers aglore - huge and fresh all facing the same direction, the sun.















Another view of Otomo Farm.










Visit 6. Shikisai Hill Lavender Farm, Biei.
If we were speechless with the beauty of the lavender farms we have visited, Shikisai Hill really made us gape in awe - vast area full of colours. Our first visit was dampened by rain but the repeat visit the next day was most satisfying. Though we wanted to see every corner of the farm, it was not possible as the area is really vast.
We just let our eyes soaked in the breathtaking views there.



























Welcoming visitors.It was drizzling. We abandoned this first visit but we returned to this farm again the next day.










The ice-cream kiosk at the farm. Try lavender ice-cream - delicious!!















Amidst sunflowers the soothing view of the valley.

















Another gorgeous view from Shikisai Hill Farm.







Visit 7. Saiko no Sato at Nakafurano.

It was a hot scorching day. Even though I come from a hot country all year round, the dry summer of Hokkaido bit on my skin. I can feel my skin burn but thank God, being brown skin I don't get sunburn easily. Another long walk up the hill. I envy Sashi who is so fit, slim and young-looking. She climbed up the hill effortlessly and here I came way behind, panting. But I made it too as I did in all the hilly lavender farms we had visited.









Up the hill the view was superb.












Another part of Saiko farm.












In honesty, I really had marvellous time at all the lavender farms. Though they may look the same but every farm is unique with its own design and presentation. I didn't get bored of looking at the lavender farms, every one of them is so charming and attractive. I could stay all day just enjoying the colourful sight. What I appreciate most is none of the farms charger any entrance fee. Anybody could walk in and soak in the colourful views and the farms are so clean and well taken care of, not even a small litter in sight.
I am most grateful to Sashi for making an effort to go with me and arranged all the visits in Hokkaido. Thank God, we share a lot in common, though there was some language barrier we got by and able to communicate and laughed together -two beautiful senior ladies having a good time. Thank you many, many times over, Sashi!!! We had a great time, didn't we?