Sapporo, Hokkaido
Picking Lavender at Horomi Pass A fragrant bunch, with Sapporo in the distance
Lavender is one of Horomi Pass's July highlights. I looked out over Sapporo from the fields, then cut a bunch of my favorite blooms at Yume Kōbō Satō. I set out in a straw hat, but by the time I carried my flowers back to the car, I wanted to stay a little longer. Maybe I'll head down into the city for soup curry.
I'm on a hill overlooking Sapporo, a bunch of lavender in my arms. My story of the day continues below the photo.
SummerMid-July
A hill overlooking Sapporo, with a bunch of lavender in my arms
I'd heard you could pick lavender near Sapporo, so I headed to Horomi Pass in July. As I drove up with the top down, I kept my eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel, taking each bend slowly. What would the fields overlooking the city look like? I had a photo in mind right up until I parked, but the moment I opened the door, I forgot all about it.
The rows of flowers ran on over the slope, and the dirt path down the middle seemed to stretch straight toward the city in the distance. Sapporo looked close enough to walk to, though it was far below. Buildings peeked out between the mountains on either side. It felt strange to think I'd been in that city only moments earlier, and I kept looking back and forth between the flowers and the city.
At Yume Kōbō Satō, you can try your hand at cutting lavender. I'd only planned to take in the view, but once I learned I could bring the flowers home, I suddenly took my choices very seriously. Even a single bunch looked more striking than I'd expected. The scent of the field surrounded me, but bringing the flowers close gave me a whole new rush of happiness.
I went back to the car and adjusted my grip on the flowers with both hands. As I held the bunch against my white dress and admired it, I forgot all about the photo I'd meant to take; for a moment, I just gazed at the flowers. Maybe I'll take the picture later. Whenever the flowers swayed in the breeze, the one I'd picked myself caught my eye, and a smile crept across my face.
I heard the garden began with 120 plants in 1987. Now it has about 8,000. After hearing how it started and looking out at the hillside, I found myself imagining all the years people have spent growing flowers here. I tightened my arms around the bouquet just a little. Today, I got to take home a little bunch of my own from this field, too.
Before heading back into the city, I took one last look at Sapporo. Earlier, the buildings had seemed tiny and far away, but now I was thinking about lunch over there and the city suddenly felt close. A spicy soup curry with big chunks of vegetables sounded so good that my stomach rumbled while I was still holding the flowers. The field was hard to leave, and lunch sounded wonderful too. I carefully set the flowers in the car and started back at an easy pace.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local food to try on the trip
Sapporo Soup Curry
Sapporo's soup curry is a local specialty that originated in the city. Its broth is light, with a pronounced spice kick, and it comes with hearty vegetables. Looking out over Sapporo from Horomi Pass made lunch back in town sound even better. After soaking up the scent of the lavender, I wanted something to fill me up too.
Highlights
A lavender field that began with 120 plants
The lavender garden began in 1987 with 120 plants; today, it has about 8,000. Looking at the hillside after learning how the garden began, I wanted to take extra care with the little bunch I was bringing home.
Look out over Sapporo and take home the lavender scent
From the lavender fields on the hill, you can see all of Sapporo. Yume Kōbō Satō also offers essential oils, floral water and potpourri made with lavender from the garden. Looking at the flowers I'd picked, I couldn't wait to enjoy their scent at home too.
Road information
Road up to Horomi Pass
The road climbs to the hills of Bankei in Sapporo's Chuo Ward, where you can take in the flower fields and the city from the lookout car park. The view that opened up when I stepped out of the car felt like a reward for the climb.
After climbing the hill, I loved comparing the lavender rows with the city below. Even once I was back beside my car with a bouquet in hand, I couldn't bring myself to get back in right away.
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