Horomitoge Lavender Garden

Horomitoge Lavender Garden is a seasonal attraction situated in the western hills of Sapporo, overlooking the city from an elevation of approximately 280-300 meters. The garden began cultivating lavender in 1987 with just 120 plants, and has since expanded to feature between 5,000 and 8,000 lavender plants, making it the largest lavender field in Sapporo. The garden was established after lavender seeds from France were imported to Japan in 1937, contributing to Hokkaido's association with lavender cultivation.

The garden primarily grows three varieties of angustifolia lavender: Nana Narisawa (developed by a Hokkaido farm in the 1990s), Violet Memory (known for retaining color when dried), and Dark Purple Early Bloomer No. 3 (which flowers from mid-June). During peak bloom from mid-July to late July, the hillside transforms into a sea of purple flowers that offer panoramic views of downtown Sapporo, including landmarks like the Sapporo TV Tower and JR Tower.

Visitors can walk through maintained pathways, photograph the lavender fields against the urban backdrop, and experience lavender harvesting at designated areas priced at ¥500, ¥800, or ¥1,000 depending on the section, with different quantities allowed in each area. An on-site shop sells lavender products including handmade essential oils, floral waters, potpourri, and fresh lavender bundles. The adjacent Horomitoge Observation Parking Lot, which operates from April to November, serves as a popular viewpoint for both daytime vistas and nighttime cityscapes.

Since there is no direct public transportation to the garden, visitors typically take the Tozai Subway Line to Maruyama Koen Station, located about 15 minutes from Sapporo Station. From Maruyama Koen Station, a taxi ride takes approximately 10-15 minutes and costs around ¥1,500. Those driving should input "Yume Kobou Sato" (the managing organization) into GPS navigation systems.