Where to admire the spring beauty and the arrival of summer in Hokkaido

Known for its harsh winters and snow-covered landscapes, the island of Hokkaido is back to the arrival of spring, sublime colors. The season of sakura that bloom gradually from south to north of the archipelago ends on this large island while still blowing Siberian winds. Hokkaido is Japan's open spaces, fields of flowers that stretch as far as the eye can see in a breathtaking landscape. And let's not forget how important flowering is in Japanese traditions, as it is for example in the decorative aspect and the art of the tea ceremony. During the Sakura season, the flowers are arranged for Chashitsu (tea room), or sometimes you can taste salted Sakura in tea (usually it is served on auspicious occasions).

Let's go and see moss phlox carpet at Higashimoko Shibazakura Park located in the norheastward of Hokkaido. In a green countryside, where a real contrast of colors comes to amaze our senses. Here, grows on thousands of hectares, a pink foam in light tones, it's like being in a huge field of cherry blossoms. To enjoy such a show, you must go from May to June. But the wonders of Hokkaido do not stop there, and difficult to list in a few lines, the splendor of the region. Also in the north of the island, multicolored fields of tulips with the bottom of canvas while mountain peaks still snowing.

A little further south, the region of Biei and Furano are famous for their many farms celebrating spring with their lavender crops, such as the "Farm Tomita", the farm was developed by planters originally from the beginning of the 20th century, they succeeded to extract essencial oils from lavenders. Once the price of oils were dropped and banned to buy, those farmers who grow the plants at the region faced a crisis, even some resigned planting. But in 1976, Japanese Railway company (former called Kokutetsu) adopted a picture of lavender field for advertising Hokkaido, and since then, many tourists come to see those beautiful field of flowers. The fields now cover for kilometers, the territory of the farmers of the region. Stroll through this sumptuous landscape with blue and purple shades, and rest in peace on one of the coffee terraces of the farm house, you will feel a breeze blowing through your hair with the arrival of the summer.