Japonia to kraj obfitujący w piękne i zróżnicowane krajobrazy. Wakacje letnie to dobry okres, aby udać się na Hokkaido, gdzie nie ma tak dużej wilgotności i są niższe tempereatury, w porównaniu np. z rejonem Kantō, w którym znajduje się Tokio. Szczególne walory krajobrazowe mają dwa nieduże miasta w centralnej części Hokkaido w dystrykcie Kamikawa – Furano (富良野市 Furano-shi) i Biei (美瑛町 Biei-chō). Furano słynie przede wszystkim z pól lawendowych, a Biei jest nazywane „miastem pagórków”, ponieważ wokół miasteczka rozciągają się malownicze wzniesienia, które przypominają bardziej krajobraz europejski niż azjatycki.

„Utsukushii kuni” – natural scenery of Furano and Biei

From the landscape point of view, „beautiful Japan” (utsukushii kuni; a catchphrase of first Abe administration), can be easily found at Hokkaidō. Furano and Biei are the two towns in the center of Hokkaidō, known for their pleasant and picturesque rural landscapes.

Furano is called “the navel of Hokkaidō” because it is located in the very center of Hokkaidō and is well known for its fragrant lavender fields. Furano is surrounded by the mountains: Mt. Furano-dake, Mt. Mae Furano-dake, Mt. Furano Nishi-dake, Mt. Nunobe-dake and Mt. Ashibetsu-dake. This location is good for the cultivation of grapes, watermelons, muskmelons and potatoes because of its special inland climate. This climate has the characteristic of large temperature differences both between night and day, and between summer and winter. In 2006, the lowest temperature in the winter was -30˚C, and the highest in the summer was +30˚C. Furano is not only well known for the cultivation, but it is also a popular place for international skiing for the world cup. Its famous lavender fields have been also used in very popular Japanese TV dramas – “Kita-no-kuni Kara” and „Poppo-ya”. The most beautiful scenery in Furano is composed of patchwork flower fields, which can be seen at many locations (Fig. 1).

For example, at the Farm Tomita in Naka-Furano there are cultivated lavender, French marigold, poppies, cosmos, Japanese roses, spider flowers, and scarlet sage (Fig. 2). At the Miyama Pass in Kami-Furano there are also lavender fields. At the Farm Kanno in Kami-Furano there are lavender, iris Germanica, poppies, and sunflowers. During the summer season, Furano is accessible by the Norokko-go train, which runs 20km/h. From that slowly running train it is possible to see the patchwork fields.

Fig. 1 Patchwork field in Furano

Fig. 2 Patchwork field at farm Tomita, Furano

Biei is a small town surrounded by a beautiful European type hilly landscape. It is famous for its views of wide fields and hills, and is used as a backdrop for many Japanese commercials and TV programs. One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the charm of the rural region is by walking, cycling or driving through the hills and along the fields. For easier orientation, the area south of the town center has been named “Panorama Road” (パノラマロード Panorama Rōdo) and the area northwest of the town center “Patchwork Road” (パッチワークの路 Pacchiwāku no Michi). Along the roads, there are various observation points, flower parks and some handsome trees and tree groups, which have gained fame through (mainly tobacco related) advertising appearances. From the “Panorana Road”, landscape parks – Shinei-no-Oka and Sanai-no-Oka can be seen, as well as the building of the Takushinkan Museum. The view of sunset from the observatory in Shinei-no-Oka is said to be the best in Japan.

“Patchwork Road” is location for the most famous views, which were used in advertisements, such as “The Hill of Mild Seven” (Mairudo Sebun no Oka) (Fig. 3), “The Tree of Seven Stars” (Sebunsutā no Ki) (Fig. 4), “The tree of Ken and Mary” (Fig. 5), which was captured in Nissan advertisement „Skyline in love” in 1972, and also for many unnamed picturesque trees and hills (Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8). Another scenic view point – “The Hill of Zerubu” – was named from taking each last character of three words, “kaze” (wind), “kaoru” (scent), “asobu” (play) and the theme is “enjoy playing together on the hill with scenting fresh wind”. Lavenders, poppies, sunflowers (Fig. 9), roses, French marigold, Scarlet sage, iris Germanica, and cosmos bloom and special products in town are being sold on the hill.

Biei provides one of the most spectacular settings for photography and many artists visit Biei to produce their works. Famous Japanese photographer Shinzō Maeda (1922–1998) has been able to capture some of the most beautiful scenes of Biei. Together with his son’s works, they are displayed in Biei at the “Takushinkan Museum”. His works are also at the “Shinzo Maeda Photo Art Gallery” in Biei, opened in 1987.

Fig. 3 “Patchwork Road” in Biei - “The Hill of Mild Seven”

Fig. 4 “The Tree of Seven Stars” in Biei

Fig. 5 “Patchwork Road” in Biei - „The Tree of Ken and Mary”

Fig. 6 “Patchwork Road” in Biei

Fig. 7“Patchwork Road” in Biei

Fig. 8 “Patchwork Road” in Biei

Fig. 9 Sunflower