What kind of season is Furano in Golden Week?

One of Japan’s holiday weeks, named Golden Week, is a major holiday weekend that lasts about a week from the end of April to the first week of May.

Whether it is your first trip to Hokkaido during Golden Week (GW) or you have been there many times before, why not take a trip to Furano?　

After all, Golden Week is a long holiday weekend, so you can have more time for your trip than usual!
Hokkaido is a place that is difficult to visit on a one-night weekend trip because there is not enough time.
Golden Week is the best time to fully enjoy the vastness of Hokkaido.
Here are some things you should know about the weather, clothing, and recommended sightseeing spots before your trip to Furano, Hokkaido, which you will want to visit with plenty of time to spare.

Weather in Furano in Golden Week

How warm will it be in Furano during Golden Week, when many tourists visit the area?
Golden Week is when spring is in full swing in Furano.
However, the average maximum temperature in Furano in May is about 19 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperature is about 7 degrees Celsius, with a large daily temperature difference.
If you go out in light clothing because of the warm daytime temperatures, you may catch a cold at night.
The temperature difference is especially severe when you go out to the mountains, so you need to be careful when you go out.

What to wear and bring in Furano in Golden Week

Furano’s inland climate means that temperatures can vary widely, so you need to be careful about what you wear when you go out from daytime to nighttime.
You can go out in the daytime wearing spring clothes, but at night the temperature drops to such a degree that you will need winter clothes, and if you are not careful, you may catch a cold.
Bring a coat or jacket, of course, but also a parka or something that can be layered under it and is easy to put on and take off.

For women, we recommend that you wear light tights when you go out.
During the long Golden Week holidays, you may need to change your clothes a lot, which may make your luggage bulky, so it may be convenient to carry an Ultra Light Down from UNIQLO or similar in your luggage.
It is advisable to prepare as compact a warm-weather gear as possible.

Major Events in Furano in Golden Week

Golden Week is not yet the time to see lavender in Furano, so what else is there to see?
What else is there to see in Furano during Golden Week?
Furano is not only known for its lavender, but also for many other things to see and do!

Golden Week is the best time to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Hokkaido!

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The best time to visit Furano during Golden Week is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
The cherry blossom front, which gradually moves northward from the south of Japan, usually arrives in Furano during Golden Week.
Whether you have already enjoyed cherry blossom viewing during this year’s Golden Week or you missed the best time to see the cherry blossoms because you were too busy, why don’t you enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a way that is unique to Furano?　

Speaking of cherry blossom viewing in Furano, we recommend Asahigaoka Park, which was selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan in 1950.
In addition to the 3,000 or so Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees in bloom, the park also offers a panoramic view of the Sorachi River, Furano city, the vast countryside of the Furano Basin, and the Daisetsuzan mountain range.
Visitors can truly experience Furano’s unique character all at once.
Asahigaoka General Urban Park is also adjacent to the park, with a park golf course and athletic facilities, so visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in addition to flower viewing.

“Aoi-ike (Blue Pond)” in Biei to see during Golden Week

Aoi Ike (Blue Pond) in Biei is a place to visit during Golden Week, a little earlier than the peak viewing season.
Aoi Ike is a man-made pond with dead trees and blue scenery that creates a mysterious atmosphere.

The reason why this blue pond looks blue is due to the aluminum contained in the pond water.
When the water in this pond mixes with the water of the Biei River, invisible colloids (suspended matter) are formed, and when they collide with sunlight and are scattered, the water appears blue.
It started to become popular among many people since it was used as a wallpaper image on the Mac sold by that Apple company.

It is said that this pond looks bluest when the weather and wind are stable.
Therefore, if you visit the Blue Pond during Golden Week, we recommend that you head to the pond in the early morning when the weather is calm!

Recommended Activities in Furano in Golden Week

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So, what exactly should you do on your Golden Week trip to Furano?　
The following is an introduction focusing on activities, but it is also important to know what kind of food you should eat when you travel.

At Furano Cheese Factory, for example, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of delicious cheeses made from fresh milk from Furano-raised cows.
You can enjoy the sight of the only cheese in Japan that contains wine, Gouda type cheese with onions kneaded into it, Camembert type white mold aged cheese with ikasumi powder, and many more.
For lunch, we recommend the crispy and chewy Margherita pizza made with cheese from the factory.
If you still have room in your stomach, we also recommend the Furano Cheese Special pizza, which uses an abundance of the Cheese Factory’s five types of cheese.

After filling your stomach with a delicious meal, you can enjoy Furano’s Golden Week to the fullest!

Heal your daily fatigue with horses! Invitation to Horse Trekking Tours

First of all, we will introduce a horse trekking tour where you will ride on cute horses and stroll through the forest roads of Furano, which is rich in nature.

Some of you may be worried that you may be too tired during the Golden Week holidays in Furano.
Horseback riding is so strenuous that it is considered a sport, so some people may shy away from it, but it actually has various healing effects, as the term “horse therapy” suggests.
It has even been acknowledged that it has both physical and psychological effects, such as improving internal organ function, not to mention shaping up, and even reducing stress and expressing emotions through contact with horses!　
Some people even experience it for their children’s emotional education.

The forest paths are full of birdsong and the sound of water, which will surely have a healing effect on your mind.
If you are looking for a relaxing experience while playing in Furano, please give it a try.

Let’s do something for the first time in Golden Week! Rafting Experience in Furano

Next activity we would like to introduce is a rafting experience in Furano.
Rafting may sound familiar, but it is a fact that many people have never actually experienced it!
Many people may have only done it on a school trip, but rafting, which welcomes beginners, is a great way to bond with family and friends who are traveling together!

Many people may spend their Hokkaido trip relaxing, but one active event will make your trip even more colorful and memorable.

Summary : Things to do in Furano Golden Week (weather, clothes and activities)

We recommend that you make your Golden Week plans as early as possible.
Furano is a popular tourist destination, so as soon as you decide to travel, make plans for activities, etc.!
We wish you the very best for this year’s Golden Week.

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip