Visiting the Horomitoge Lavender Garden off-season may sound silly, but you’d be surprised at what a memorable experience it can still be!
Located an hour’s walk from Maruyama-Koen station, the Horomitoge Lavender Garden is a must-see when visiting Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. While the lavender flowers are said to peak in July, there is plenty of reason to visit no matter the season!
Scenic Walk From Maruyama Park
Many people opt to drive to the Horomitoge Lavender Garden because of its location atop a steep mountain road. However, I would recommend hiking up the mountain as you get to see beautiful scenic views on the way up!
Not only do you get a good workout in walking all the way from Maruyama Park to Horomitoge, but you also get to see the view gradually getting better and better as your altitude increases.
Furthermore, there is an abundance of beautiful trees and plantations to see on the way up. From pink and white sakura (cherry blossom) trees to golden brown hilltop forests, there is eye candy everywhere!
Spectacular Views
Everything is always more rewarding when you work for it, and that is especially true as you climb up toward the Horomitoge Lavender Garden. As you huff and puff up the mountain road, the final stretch will reveal a spectacular view of Sapporo city that makes it all worth it!
From the endless concrete jungle to the cool misty backdrop of Hokkaido’s marvelous mountains, it’s a view you could only hope to see from an airplane window. At this point, I’d recommend taking a break and a drink of water as you soak in the cool breeze of the Horomitoge’s high altitude.
No Lavender? No Problem!
Of course, visiting the Lavender Garden outside of July ultimately means no lavender fields, but don’t let that measly fact deter you from checking it out! Upon arrival, you will see the once Lavender fields now a neutral green color spread along the plains in an organized and aesthetic fashion.
Despite visiting in the heart of spring, I was able to see snowy mountains in the background and enjoy the refreshing winds that seem to blow through the fields all year round. Regardless of what time of year you choose to visit Horomitoge, it goes without saying that you should choose a nice clear day to get the most out of it!
Beautiful Flowers And Sakura Trees
Whether you come during the lavender season, the sakura season, or neither, you can be sure that the spectacular city view of Sapporo will always be there to enjoy! Not only that, but you can also see bright yellow flowers lined up around the car park to give you that colorful flower fix all year round.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!