What kind of season is Furano in October?

Autumn is in full swing in Furano in October!　
Autumn in Furano is a time of abundant nature and food, and there is much to look forward to.
This is also the time of year when you can fully enjoy Hokkaido’s autumn foliage, which is said to start the earliest in Japan.
It is a great time to visit Furano with your family, loved ones, and friends.
In this article, we will introduce some points that visitors to Furano in October should keep in mind!

Weather in Furano in October

The average maximum temperature in Furano in October was about 16 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperature was 5 degrees Celsius (according to 2018).
Furano is famous for its inland climate with a large temperature difference between day and night.
In October, the minimum temperature drops to the level of winter in Honshu, so even though it is autumn, it is a time when you cannot relax.
The crisp autumn breeze is a pleasant sensation, but the winds that blow at this time of the year can be chilly.
Enjoy yourselves and be careful not to catch a cold!

The average precipitation is 96.9 millimeters, which is about half of Tokyo’s average precipitation of 197.8 millimeters during the same period.
Honshu is often plagued by typhoons in October, but since there are no typhoons in Hokkaido, Furano in October is a great time for sightseeing.

What to wear and bring in Furano in October

Furano in October is a chilly season.
Although the temperature rises to nearly 15 degrees Celsius during the day, it drops to single digits at night, making it as cold as winter in Honshu.
Visitors should bring underwear with high moisture retention properties and a thick coat or jacket that is windproof.
If you are concerned about the cold, you may also want to bring knitwear, which will also work well.
Furano in October is also the season of beautiful autumn leaves.
You can enjoy the autumn leaves in the city and at the foot of the mountains, but there may be people who go up to the mountains to enjoy the autumn leaves.
In such cases, the temperature will drop dramatically, so it is recommended that you bring extra warm clothes.
Tokachi, you may be able to enjoy the whiteness of the mountains a little earlier than in Honshu.

Major Events in Furano in October

Enjoy the scenery and autumn flavors at the Shimukappu Village Autumn Foliage Festival

Speaking of Furano in October, we recommend you to enjoy viewing the autumn leaves.
You want to enjoy this season of deeply colored trees to the fullest, don’t you?
The Shimukappu Village Autumn Foliage Festival is recommended for those who want to enjoy autumn foliage viewing to the fullest.

Quoted：LINER WEB

Rather than the autumn leaves, you can enjoy many autumn delicacies in Shimukappu Village at this event!
At this event, you can enjoy a variety of gourmet foods such as nameko mushroom soup for 100 yen per cup, grilled and fried landlocked salmon, roasted and skewered venison, boiled corn, potatoes, and pumpkins.
In addition to mountain delicacies, seafood from Hokkaido, such as oysters from Akkeshi and scallops from Okhotsk, will also be served, so you can enjoy Hokkaido’s autumnal delicacies at once.

There will also be some activities such as a vegetable weight-guessing quiz for all and a nameko mushroom-carrying game for elementary school students only.

Visit Tokachi-dake to see the autumn foliage in Furano

If you are going to Furano in October, you should visit the 2,077-meter-high Mount Tokachi (Tokachi-dake) !
Tokachi-dake is also famous throughout Japan for being the earliest place in Japan that can be visited by car to view the autumn leaves.

Especially recommended is Bogakudai, a viewing spot on the trail leading to Tokachi-dake.
The road from the parking lot is also an unpaved mountain trail, so please visit with easy walking shoes.
Actually, not all visitors can climb the mountain.
If you want to enjoy the autumn foliage from a better spot, we recommend the view from “Kamihoro-sou,” a hot spring resort along Route 291.
There is a large parking lot and bus stop, so you can visit without worrying about traffic.
From the end of October, Highway 996 (Tokachi-dake Skyline) near Tokachidake is closed to traffic, so please be sure to check the traffic conditions before you go, depending on when you plan to travel.

Recommended Activities in Furano in October

October is the peak of autumn in Furano.
After this time, Furano will begin to change over to winter activities, so this is the time to experience the last of the river play activities.
Most visitors to Furano are probably looking to enjoy the great nature that is typical of Hokkaido, so be sure to take part in some of these activities!
Here are three recommended activities.

Enjoy the No. 1 rapids of the Mukawa River with exciting rafting

The Mukawa River, located in Minami-Furano, is famous for its rapids, which are said to be the strongest in Hokkaido.
The rafting here is so intense that even the most hardcore rafting fans will be roaring with excitement, and it is said that once you experience it, you will be addicted to it.
The Mukawa River is unpredictable and tricky, with places that rock violently up and down and large drop-offs, so the course is sure to entertain and exceed the expectations of those who experience it several times over.
Please note that this activity is for 18 years and older only, so families with small children cannot enjoy this activity together.
Also, since you will be wearing a dry suit, it is unlikely that your clothes will get wet, but considering the October temperatures, make sure to bring a change of clothes just in case.
October is your last chance to experience the Mukawa Rafting, which is one of the most intense and hot rafting activities in the year, so be sure to try it!

Canyoning tour for beginners

Next, we will introduce a very satisfying canyoning tour in Furano, even for beginners.
Canyoning is the perfect way to enjoy Furano’s great nature, and the feeling is just like enjoying a natural water slide.
You can not only slide, but also jump into the waterfall, snorkel and observe the fish swimming in the river, and enjoy nature to the fullest during the canyoning experience!
First-time canyoneers may think that sliding down a river or stream is a bit dangerous, but you will wear a helmet and life jacket, and you will be accompanied by an experienced guide, so you can be sure that your experience will be safe.
You will wear a dry suit for this experience, but we recommend that you wear a long-sleeved, long-breasted jersey underneath as much as possible.
October is the last chance to try canyoning, so be sure to make your reservations early!

Relaxing a half-day trip: Lavender Hill E-bike Tour

Last but not least, Furano’s natural wonders can be explored on a cycling tour by electric bicycle!
Furano is famous for its lavender, but in Furano in autumn, you can enjoy the scenery as it begins to turn red.
Another highlight of this tour is a superb view point called “Panorama Road Ebana”!
It has been selected as one of Kamifurano Town’s “Eight Views of Kamifurano,” and the road stretching toward Tokachi-dake Mountain, which is Hokkaido at its best, is a sight to behold.
This activity is sure to refresh your body and mind as you soak up the clean air.

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

The deepening autumn is the best time to visit Furano in October.
The autumn foliage that can be seen even in the city center and the delicious autumn cuisine in Furano will surely enhance your trip to Furano.
Just driving around Furano in October is fun, and we hope you have a great trip!

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip