Lunch Stops and Hokkaido Restaurant Menu Options on the Route

Lunch options: buffet versus buy-your-own

This tour offers two distinct lunch packages, each suited to different travel styles. The buffet package provides a set meal at a local restaurant along the route, with portions and dishes predetermined by the operator. This option removes decision-making at mealtime and ensures you know exactly what to expect. The buy-your-own package gives you freedom to select and purchase your own lunch from available options at the restaurant or nearby vendors, paying separately for what you choose. Both packages include time to eat, though the duration may differ slightly depending on crowd levels and how quickly you decide what to order.

When booking, confirm which package applies to your selected tour date, as availability may vary by season. The buffet meal typically includes a main dish, rice or noodles, soup, and seasonal vegetables, though the exact menu changes based on local availability and farm harvests. If you choose buy-your-own, budget accordingly and note that the restaurant accepts both cash and card payments. Ask your tour operator during booking confirmation which specific restaurant you will visit, as different locations along the Furano-Biei route offer varying menus and dining atmospheres.

Dietary needs and vegetarian alternatives

If you have selected the buffet lunch package, inform the tour operator of dietary restrictions at least seven days before your departure date. The restaurant can often prepare vegetarian, vegan, or allergy-friendly alternatives if given advance notice, though options are more limited than standard meals. Common accommodations include vegetable-based mains, rice dishes without animal products, and substitutions for specific ingredients. Halal meals are possible on some dates but require confirmation well in advance, as the kitchen may need to source appropriate ingredients or use separate preparation areas.

For the buy-your-own package, you have greater flexibility to select meals that suit your needs. The local restaurant typically offers several vegetarian dishes, rice bowls with seasonal vegetables, and noodle soups that can be ordered without meat. Carry snacks or light foods you know are safe for your dietary requirements, as not every vendor along the route will have suitable options. Many farms in the region sell fresh fruit, which serves as a reliable vegetarian snack between stops. Always speak with your tour guide upon boarding about your restrictions so they can advise on what will be available at each location.

Restroom locations and wait times

Toilets are available at four points during this one-day tour: at the starting location before departure, at the local restaurant during lunch, at Farm Tomita, and at Shikisai no Oka. The Patchwork Road and Biei Blue Pond stops do not have facilities, so use the restroom before those sections. During peak season (July to September), queues at Farm Tomita can reach 10 to 15 minutes, particularly between 11:00 and 13:00. Shikisai no Oka, being larger with more facilities, typically has shorter waits, usually 5 minutes or fewer.

Plan your restroom use strategically. Visit facilities during lunch rather than at Farm Tomita if possible, when crowds are lighter. If you have mobility concerns or medical needs requiring frequent restroom access, alert your tour guide in advance so they can allow extra time at facilities. Bring a small pack of tissues as a precaution; while all facilities maintain reasonable standards, supplies can run low during busy periods. The bus itself does not have a restroom, so minimize beverage intake in the hour before lunch if you prefer not to use facilities at the scenic stops.

Foods worth trying at Farm Tomita

Farm Tomita grows over 30 varieties of lavender and seasonal vegetables that appear in on-site food and beverages. The lavender soft serve ice cream is the most popular item; the creamy base is vanilla, infused with a delicate floral sweetness that balances well against the richness of the ice cream. Plan to arrive early in your visit if soft serve is a priority, as supply can sell out by mid-afternoon during peak season. The farm also sells fresh corn in summer months, grilled and seasoned on-site, and melon varieties in late summer, sold by the slice or whole depending on availability and your group's appetite.

Beyond ice cream, the farm's shop stocks lavender honey, lavender salt for cooking, and baked goods incorporating local ingredients. The onion and potato items are worth sampling if you enjoy savory snacks; the farm's own-label chips and crackers make convenient souvenirs. A small cafe serves drinks including lavender tea and lavender lemonade, both refreshing during warm months. Arrive with cash; while card payments are increasingly accepted, smaller vendors may not process every card type, and having yen ensures you can purchase items without delay.

What to eat and buy at Shikisai no Oka

Shikisai no Oka, or 'Seasonal Colors Hill', is famous for its flowering fields and also operates a well-stocked cafe and gift shop. The hill-top position offers panoramic views of layered flower beds in bloom, and you can eat while overlooking these colors. The cafe menu includes light meals such as rice bowls topped with seasonal vegetables, noodle dishes, and sandwiches, alongside desserts featuring flowers and local produce. During peak season, all dishes incorporate ingredients that align with what is blooming that month, so your meal literally reflects the landscape around you.

The shop at Shikisai no Oka stocks premium souvenirs not found at other stops, including flower seed packets, high-end cosmetics infused with botanical extracts, and artisan jams made from fruit grown in Hokkaido. Baked goods such as lavender biscuits and mellon-flavored pastries are exclusive to this location. Drinks include floral teas and cold beverages made from edible flowers. The cafe accepts both cash and card, and the shop has reliable card payment systems. Arrive early if you wish to dine here; the cafe becomes quite busy from 12:00 onward, and seating by the windows overlooking the fields fills quickly.

Snacks and drinks available during the tour

The tour bus does not operate a snack or beverage bar, so plan to purchase drinks and snacks at designated stops. At Farm Tomita and Shikisai no Oka, both onsite shops sell bottled water, soft drinks, juice, and coffee. Prices at both locations are similar to convenience store rates, though slightly higher given their rural location. During summer, staying hydrated is important; bring a refillable water bottle and top it up at stops where water fountains or tap water are available. The local restaurant during lunch also serves beverages, included or purchasable depending on your package selection.

Convenience stores are not located directly on the tour route, so do not rely on purchasing supplies mid-journey. If you prefer specific snacks, bring them with you. The farms sell fresh fruit in season (berries in July, melons in August), which provide hydration and natural sugars during your visit. Dietary restrictions sometimes mean carrying your own snacks; pack items that travel well and do not require refrigeration. The tour operates in Hokkaido, where summers are warm but not extremely hot; however, midday sun exposure during the flower field visits means drinking more water than you might expect.

Souvenirs only sold at these farms

Both Farm Tomita and Shikisai no Oka offer exclusive merchandise unavailable elsewhere on the tour. Farm Tomita specializes in lavender products: lavender-infused honey, specialty salts, dried lavender for home use, and premium skincare items made from lavender essence. The farm's branded snacks, including lavender biscuits and lavender-chocolate items, are only produced and sold there. Shikisai no Oka focuses on botanical variety; their shop carries seed packets for flowers that bloom on the hill, allowing you to recreate the colors at home, plus their exclusive floral teas and cosmetics lines. Each location also produces single-origin jam from fruits harvested on-site, labeled with the harvest year.

Timing matters for souvenirs. Soft serve and fresh seasonal items at Farm Tomita can sell out by late afternoon. Shikisai no Oka's cafe baked goods are baked fresh daily but supplies diminish as the day progresses. Premium items such as seed packets and cosmetics are usually well-stocked throughout the day. If you have a priority souvenir in mind, ask your tour guide which stop to visit first, or allow extra time at that location. Most items are packaged to travel well; however, fresh items such as soft serve should be consumed on-site or brought in a cooler if purchased for later. Shop staff can advise on which items are fragile or temperature-sensitive before you purchase.

Before you book