My name is MAKO
Based in Sapporo, Hokkaido | Born and raised in Obihiro, Hokkaido | Lover of Sapporo Classic beer and fresh sashimi | Passionate about road trips and camping | Always chasing beautiful scenery
Why Does Kamifurano Have “Eight Scenic Views”?The Short Answer
The Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views were selected in 1999 from recommendations by local residents, rather than simply being chosen as the town’s most famous tourist attractions.
They include straight roads, mountain passes, farmland, a lavender garden, quiet grassland, highlands, and a mountain hot-spring area. What ties them together is a landscape that feels unmistakably Kamifurano: farmland in the foreground and the Tokachidake mountains rising beyond it.
Why You Should Care
If you only visit Kamifurano for lavender, you will see something beautiful.
But you may miss what makes the town itself beautiful.
The Eight Scenic Views take you beyond one famous flower field.
You drive over roads that rise and fall like waves.
You look across working farms toward volcanoes.
You find quiet grasslands that many visitors pass without noticing.
And eventually, you climb high into the mountains where forests and hot springs replace the fields below.
The Eight Views are not simply a checklist.
They are eight different ways to understand the same town.
Why Were the Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views Chosen?
The most important part of the story is who chose them.
Who Chose the Eight Views?
They were selected in 1999 after recommendations from Kamifurano residents.
The local tourism association describes them as scenic spots recommended by the people who actually live there.
That makes them different from a ranking created by a travel magazine.
Some are famous.
Others are quiet places that might be easy to miss if nobody told you to stop.
In a way, the Eight Views answer a simple question:
“If you lived in Kamifurano, which scenery would you want a visitor to remember?”
Why Are They Called “Eight Scenic Views”?
The Japanese name is:
かみふらの八景 — Kamifurano Hakkei.
Hakkei literally means “Eight Scenic Views.”
The idea of selecting eight especially beautiful landscapes has a long history in East Asia. Japan adopted the tradition centuries ago, creating famous sets such as the Eight Views of Omi and many other regional hakkei.
Kamifurano’s version is modern.
But the basic idea is familiar:
choose eight landscapes that express the character of a place.
What Connects All Eight Views of Kamifurano?
At first, the Eight Views seem very different.
One is a road.
One is a lavender garden.
Another is a mountain hot-spring area.
But look toward the horizon, and the connection becomes clear.
Why Does Tokachidake Appear Again and Again?
The tourism association says the Eight Views share one important feature:
excellent views of the Tokachidake mountain range.
Kamifurano lies on the western side of the Tokachidake range.
The mountains therefore act almost like a giant backdrop to everyday life.
You see them beyond:
- fields
- farm roads
- lavender
- town streets
- hills
- grasslands
The mountain is not just a separate sightseeing destination.
It is part of the scenery people in Kamifurano live with every day.
Why Do the Fields Matter as Much as the Mountains?
Kamifurano has developed as an agricultural town since the settlement period beginning in 1897.
Its official local information describes the combination of Tokachidake, rolling farmland, and agricultural landscapes as one of the town’s defining features. It also notes that Kamifurano began Japan’s first commercial cultivation of lavender as an agricultural crop in 1948.
This is important.
Many of the views that travelers call “natural scenery” are actually a mixture of:
mountains shaped by nature
and
fields shaped by people.
That combination is what gives Kamifurano its distinctive look.
What Are the Eight Scenic Views of Kamifurano?
There is no single type of scenery.
That is the point.
The official list combines roads, passes, farmland, flowers, highlands, and mountain country.
Four Views That Show Kamifurano’s Roads and Hills
1. Roller Coaster Road
This may be the most famous of the eight.
A straight road rises and falls dramatically for about 4.5 kilometers, creating the appearance of a roller coaster across the countryside. From the higher points, fields open toward the Tokachidake range.
2. Miyama Pass
Miyama Pass combines rolling hills, flower fields, and a broad view of Tokachidake.
It is one of the more accessible viewpoints and is popular beyond the lavender season as well. In spring, there can even be a striking combination of cherry blossoms and snow remaining on the mountains.
3. Senbo Pass
Senbo Pass looks across the Furano Basin toward the Tokachidake mountains.
It has parking, a viewpoint, and rest facilities, yet the tourism association describes it as relatively uncrowded even in the high season. On clear nights, visitors can also see stars and the lights of Kamifurano below.
4. Panorama Road Ehana
This road begins from a hill around 50 meters above the Furano Basin and continues downhill in a straight line for roughly 5 kilometers.
Looking ahead, it can feel as if the road is leading directly toward Mt. Furano-dake. It is popular not only for driving, but also for walking and cycling.
Four Views That Take You from Flowers to the Mountains
5. Hinode Lavender Garden
Hinode Park gives you a 360-degree view from its hilltop.
In July, lavender covers the slope in purple, while the town, fields, Furano Basin, and Tokachidake range spread out beyond it.
6. Wada Grassland and Acorn Village
This is one of the quieter Eight Views.
After climbing a short slope, an open grassland suddenly appears. From here you can look east toward Tokachidake, south toward Mt. Ashibetsu and Mt. Yubari, and back toward Kamifurano town.
7. Asahino Yamabiko Heights
This hidden viewpoint brings you much closer to the mountains.
The tourism association says relatively few people visit despite its Eight Views status. It is also known for an unusual echo—your voice can bounce back from the mountain slopes.
8. Tokachidake Hot Spring Resort
The final view takes you far above the farmland.
Tokachidake Onsen sits at an elevation of around 1,280 meters, surrounded by mountain scenery and several hot-spring facilities. It is especially famous for autumn colors that arrive extremely early by Japanese standards.
Why Are the Eight Views More Than a Lavender Tour?
Kamifurano is strongly associated with lavender.
For good reason.
But only one of the Eight Views is specifically a lavender garden.
The others show something broader.
What Do the Eight Views Reveal About the Real Kamifurano?
They show the town at different heights.
At the bottom:
fields and roads.
Higher up:
hills and wide viewpoints.
Higher still:
forests, volcanic mountains, and hot springs.
This gradual change is what makes exploring the Eight Views so satisfying.
You are not simply moving between photo spots.
You are traveling from the agricultural basin toward the mountains that dominate it.
Why Is the Roller Coaster Road So “Hokkaido”?
There are straight farm roads all over Hokkaido.
But the Roller Coaster Road captures several things travelers often imagine when they dream of a Hokkaido road trip:
a road disappearing toward the horizon,
almost no tall buildings,
huge fields on both sides,
and mountains in the distance.
The official Hokkaido tourism site describes its 4.5-kilometer series of dips and rises as one of Kamifurano’s representative landscapes.
That is why the Eight Views work so well together.
They are not eight copies of the same panorama.
Each one shows a different relationship between:
road, farmland, sky, and mountain.
How Should Travelers Explore the Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views?
You can visit just one.
But seeing several makes the idea much clearer.
Is Driving the Best Way to See All Eight?
For most overseas travelers, yes.
The viewpoints are spread around the town, and some lie well outside the center.
A car gives you the flexibility to stop when the weather is good and spend longer at the places you like most.
For reference, the official Hokkaido tourism site places Roller Coaster Road about 10 minutes by car from JR Kamifurano Station and around 25 minutes from Asahikawa Airport.
Cycling is also possible.
In fact, Kamifurano actively promotes cycling, and the climb from town toward Tokachidake Onsen is approximately 20 kilometers uphill to around 1,280 meters. That route is much more suitable for experienced cyclists than casual sightseeing riders.
How Long Should You Allow?
For only two or three nearby views:
2–3 hours
is reasonable.
For all eight:
plan on at least half a day, and preferably a full relaxed day if you want to take photographs, walk around, eat lunch, or stop at an onsen.
The purpose is not to rush through eight markers.
The whole point is to notice how the landscape changes.
What Is the Best Season?
There is no single best season.
Late June–July: flowers, green fields, and lavender.
September: early autumn colors in the Tokachidake highlands.
October: harvest landscapes and autumn scenery at lower elevations.
But several of the Eight Views are marked by the tourism association as unavailable for winter viewing, including Senbo Pass, Hinode Lavender Garden, Wada Grassland, and Asahino Yamabiko Heights.
If your goal is to complete the full Eight Views route, summer to early autumn is the easiest period.
Did You Know?
- The Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views were chosen in 1999 through recommendations from local residents.
- All eight were selected for, among other things, their impressive relationship with the Tokachidake mountain range.
- Roller Coaster Road runs straight through the countryside for about 4.5 kilometers.
- Panorama Road Ehana has a straight downhill stretch of roughly 5 kilometers toward the Furano Basin. Tokachidake Onsen sits around 1,280 meters above sea level, taking the Eight Views from farmland almost into alpine country.
FAQ
Are the Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views Eight Observation Decks?
No.
They are eight scenic locations, and they are very different from one another.
Some are roads, some are viewpoints, one is a lavender garden, and one is an entire mountain hot-spring area.
Do I Have to Visit All Eight?
No.
Even the official Eight Views Rally has offered ways to participate by visiting individual spots as well as completing the full set.
If you have limited time, Roller Coaster Road, Miyama Pass, Hinode Lavender Garden, and Tokachidake Onsen give a good sense of the variety.
Can I Explore the Eight Views Without a Car?
Partly.
JR trains and buses can get you to Kamifurano, and a town bus runs from JR Kamifurano Station toward the Tokachidake hot-spring area. However, visiting all eight scattered locations efficiently is much easier by car.
Can I Cycle Around Them?
Yes, and Kamifurano actively promotes cycling routes.
However, the terrain includes major hills, and the route toward Tokachidake Onsen involves a long climb to about 1,280 meters.
Are the Eight Views Open in Winter?
Not all of them.
Some sites are officially marked as unavailable for winter viewing, so travelers should check conditions before attempting the full route.
Visit It Yourself
Location
Kamifurano Town, Sorachi District, Hokkaido
The eight locations are spread between the rural areas west of town and the Tokachidake mountain area to the east.
Best Season
Late June–September
is the easiest period if you want to combine several or all of the Eight Views.
July is ideal for lavender and green farmland.
September is excellent if you want early autumn colors at Tokachidake Onsen.
How to Get There
From Asahikawa by JR: about 55 minutes to JR Kamifurano Station.
From Furano by JR: about 20 minutes.
The local tourism association also lists bus connections between Asahikawa, Kamifurano, and Furano.
Once in Kamifurano, a rental car is the easiest way to explore the Eight Views.
Estimated Visit Time
- A few selected views: 2–3 hours
- All eight: half day to full day
- All eight + onsen/lunch/photography: full day recommended
Admission Fee
There is no single ticket for the Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views.
The roads and scenic viewpoints themselves are generally places you can enjoy as part of the landscape. Separate charges may apply if you use private attractions, hot-spring baths, or other facilities along the route.
Official Website
- Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourism Association – Eight Scenic Views
- Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views – Japanese Official Guide
Please check the official website for the latest information.
Final Thoughts
Why does Kamifurano have Eight Scenic Views?
Because in 1999, local people were asked to think about the landscapes worth sharing.
They did not choose only famous attractions.
They chose a road that rises and falls through farmland.
A quiet pass overlooking the basin.
A five-kilometer road pointing toward the mountains.
A purple lavender hill.
A hidden grassland.
A place where your voice echoes back from Tokachidake.
And finally,
a hot-spring village high above the fields.
Different places.
Different heights.
Different seasons.
But the same mountain range watches over them all.
That is what makes the Eight Views special.
The Kamifurano Eight Scenic Views are not simply eight photo spots.
They are eight windows into the landscape that local people wanted visitors to remember.
And when you travel from one to another, you begin to understand that Kamifurano is not just the town of lavender.
It is a town shaped by mountains, farms, roads, seasons, and the people who learned to love the view between them.
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