Furano’s fertile lands and pristine environment make it a great environment for agriculture and livestock farming, giving rise to some of Japan’s most delicious vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meats. Here’s a quick guide of the best foods Furano has to offer, perfect while enjoying the region’s natural beauty.
Soup Curry
Furano’s take on soup curry features a spicy, flavorful broth brimming with locally sourced vegetables and meats. Typically made with rich chunks of chicken or beef, this dish balances the sweetness of fresh vegetables with the savory richness of the meat, creating a satisfying depth of flavor. It’s even been recognized as one of the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Top 100 Local Dishes from Rural Areas.”
Craft Beer
Furano’s craft beers are a unique delight, brewed with pure spring water from the Tokachidake Mountain Range and hops sourced from Nakafurano. You can find distinctive flavors like melon and lavender, which reflect the local produce. These specialty brews offer a refreshing taste that perfectly captures the essence of Furano.
Tokachi Beef
Tokachi beef stands out for its lean, juicy red meat. Unlike other varieties that focus on marbling, this beef offers a clean, robust flavor with minimal fat, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a lighter, yet still succulent, taste.
Furano Beef
Raised in the lush Furano Basin, Furano beef comes from black-haired Wagyu cattle that are carefully fed a specially formulated diet. With only around 60 cattle shipped each year, this rare beef boasts a rich umami flavor and high-quality marbling, consistently ranking as one of Japan’s top beef brands, placing second nationwide.
Lamb
Hokkaido is renowned for its lamb, particularly when it comes to “Jingisukan” (grilled lamb). The lamb, known as “spring lamb,” is under 18 months old, providing a mild, tender flavor that even non-lamb lovers can enjoy. Most popular in Autumn and WInter, it is the perfect dish to warm you up during the colder months of the year.
Kamifurano Pork
Kamifurano pork is raised near the Tokachidake Mountain Range, where the pigs are fed a barley-rich diet that enhances the meat’s firmness and flavor. The “sagari” cut, taken from the diaphragm muscle, is a rare delicacy. Additionally, we also highly recommend their sausages and ham.
Potato Chips
Made from locally grown Furano potatoes, these potato chips are a must-try snack. They offer a natural, crispy crunch with a variety of flavors that highlight the freshness of the region’s potatoes—making them a favorite treat for visitors.
Furano Melons
Furano melons are famous for their intense sweetness, thanks to the area’s wide temperature swings between day and night. With a sugar content around 15%, these melons rank among Japan’s sweetest. You can enjoy them in various desserts like soft-serve ice cream, cookies, cakes, and jellies.
During your stay at Nozo Hotel, check out our in-house store, packed with a wide variety of locally sourced snacks and souvenirs. Be sure to stop by and try something new!
*The images provided are for reference purposes only.
