Furano is far more than a pretty flower backdrop. Its food and produce have ranked among Japan's best for decades. Furano melon is nationally celebrated for its intense sweetness, while the cheese and wine made from local milk and grapes have a character all their own. On top of that, a curry-omelette dish called omu-kare exists only here — you won't find the certified version anywhere else.
#1 Furano Melon · Furano Melon
Hokkaido melons grown around Furano are among the finest in Japan. The flesh is vivid orange, intensely fragrant, and registers sugar content as high as 15% — a result of the region's wide day-to-night temperature swings. Melon season runs June through August, when you'll find fresh fruit and melon-based treats everywhere in town: whole fruit, soft-serve ice cream, milkshakes, and desserts of every kind.
- Eat fresh melon in season (June–Aug) — that's when the flavour peaks
- The melon soft-serve at Farm Tomita is extremely popular; expect a queue
- Gift-boxed melons are sold at shops throughout town and travel well
#2 Furano Omu-Kare (Curry Omelette Rice) · Furano Omu-Kare
The town's signature B-grade gourmet dish combines omurice (omelette rice) with a curry made entirely from local ingredients — rice, vegetables, egg, meat, and pickles all sourced from Furano farms. Only Furano Milk may be used. The price must not exceed ¥1,100 per the governing standards. Participating restaurants mark each plate with a small flag as a certification symbol.
- Look for the small flag on the plate — it means the restaurant is officially certified
- Flavour and presentation vary slightly between restaurants; try more than one
- The ¥1,100 ceiling (tax not included) is fixed by the local standard
#3 Furano Cheese · Furano Cheese
The Furano Cheese Factory produces five varieties of natural cheese from fresh local cow's milk. The standout is Wine Cheddar — a red-wine-infused cheddar that is the only cheese of its kind made in Japan. There is also a squid-ink cheese worth trying for the novelty. The factory is open for free production tours and tastings, with a pizza restaurant and soft-serve counter on site.
- Wine Cheddar is a Furano exclusive — it is not sold elsewhere in Japan
- Cheese and butter-making demonstrations run in the mornings
- The on-site café and pizza restaurant use ingredients from the surrounding farm
#4 Furano Wine · Furano Wine
Furano has been producing wine from locally grown grapes since 1972. The climate closely resembles northern Europe, giving the red wine a deep, complex character. The winery opens its full production process to visitors at no charge — vineyards, cellar, and a ground-floor tasting room where you can sample both wine and fresh grape juice.
- Free wine tastings are available at the ground-floor tasting room
- Both red and white Furano wine make excellent souvenirs from the town
- The adjacent Winehouse restaurant pairs its menu directly with the winery's output
#5 Jingisukan (Lamb BBQ) · Jingisukan (Lamb BBQ)
Hokkaido's most iconic BBQ dish involves grilling lamb or mutton on a domed iron griddle that channels fat away from the meat, keeping it lean and tender. It is eaten with fresh vegetables and a rich soy-based dipping sauce. The name honours Genghis Khan. Hokkaido lamb is prized for being tender and markedly less gamey than lamb from other regions — making this a good entry point even for people who don't usually enjoy it. Particularly satisfying in winter.
- Order raw (not pre-marinated) lamb for the most direct flavour
- Hundreds of Jingisukan restaurants operate across Hokkaido — easy to find
- Hokkaido beer pairs exceptionally well with this dish
#6 Hokkaido Soft Cream & Milk Ice Cream · Hokkaido Soft Cream
Soft-serve made from Hokkaido milk is notably richer and more aromatic than the national average, thanks to the higher fat content of Hokkaido dairy. Two versions in Furano stand out: the pale-purple lavender soft-serve from Farm Tomita, and the pure-milk soft-serve from Furano Cheese Factory — denser and more intensely dairy-forward.
- Farm Tomita's lavender soft-serve is a summer-only item — it disappears after the season
- The milk soft-serve at Furano Cheese Factory is noticeably richer than standard versions
- The Hokkaido Dairy cup ice cream sold at general shops is also worth picking up
Where to stay in Furano for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Furano — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Fenix Furano
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La Vista Furano Hills
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Hostel Tomar
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Hotel Munin Furano
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Tours, tickets & activities in Furano
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Furano — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Furano is a genuine food lover's destination for anyone who wants Hokkaido's flavours straight from the source. Build time into your itinerary for the cheese factory, the winery, and at least one bowl of omu-kare — ideally all in the same day.