Furano Guide - Furano -

Furano Resort :

Furano, located at the heart of Hokkaido Island in Japan, is filled with great blessed nature. Each beautiful four season gives you totally different, but amazing natural world. Furano has a great powder snow ski resort in winter, and beautiful lavender farms in summer. In Autumn, trees changes their leave's color to the bright red and yellow with great contrast. Many movies and tv drama's have been taken in this city just because Furano is the fantastic nature world.

In winter, natural hot spring combined with backcountry ski mountains are just 1 hour away by car. It would be one of the most wonderful days in your life with taking backcountry tours, then taking natural hot spring and eating and drinking at some dinings in Furano downtown. Snow activities such as snow mobile, hot air balloon ride, ice hole fishing, snow trekking, banana boat, snow rafting, and more, are available to make your holiday in Furano more exciting, and unforgettable.

Furano locals have the warm welcome heart to all the people coming to this town. They have ski host & mountain guide system for the first time in Japan, meeting guests at the base of Furano ski resorts. Also, Furano Tourism Association holds the cultural live performance, tea ceremony, Japanese traditional dress "kimono" trial, and more for you to experience Japanese & Furano culture.

In summer, many local festivals, including famous "Belly-Button Dancing Festival", entertain you with fantastic fire works. Hot air balloon, and river rafting in this nature resort like Furano will be your fantastic memories in Furano.

The origin of the city name :

The name of Furano is derived from the Ainu word "Fu-ra-nui," that means "odorous flame." That is because the upper stream of Furano River are located on Mt. Tokachi-dake, that goes off sulphuric gas.
* There are some theories about the origin of the city name of Furano, and this is the one commonly believed.

Geographical location :

Furano is located in central Hokkaido island, and is called the belly button of Hokkaido, at a latitude of 43º20'31" north and a longitude of 142º22'56" east. Furano stretches rectangular shape, which is 32.8km of from east to west and 27.3km from north to south. Mt. Tokachi-dake of the Taisetsu Mountain Range, and Mt. Ashibetsu-dake of the Yubari Mountain Chain surround Furano Area. The size of Furano city is 600.73km², which is the eighth largest among 34 cities in Hokkaido. Asahikawa city, which is the second biggest city in Hokkaido, is just 1 hour away by train/bus/car from Furano. You can live in Furano with filled with great nature, and easily reach to the big cities when you would like and need something you cannot get in the small town.

Climate :

Furano has four seasons which shows you totally different kinds of views in each season. The middle of April to the middle of June would be Spring. The middle of June to the middle of September would be Summer. The middle of September to the end of October would be Autumn. November to the middle of April would be Winter.

Furano has vast temperature ranges between - 30°C between January and February in winter season and 30°C in July and August in summer season. There is also some much of difference of temperature between day and night in Furano. This temperature difference makes Furano's agricultural products taste good. Check the weather now in Furano at snow-forecast.com.

Average temp.	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	-7	-4	3	14	20	21	25	24	22	15	3	-3
Low	-17	-17	-8	2	6	10	16	17	12	8	-4	-10

ATM and foreign currency exchange :

Japanese yen cash can be withdrawn at Seven Bank ATMs in seven-eleven, 24hrs convenience store, located in the main hotel area. This ATM's instruction is available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Portuguese. Furano post office also has ATMs with bilingual system. Resort Inn North Country provides the Foreign Currency Exchange services. Yen Converter