SUMMER IN FURANO & BIEI (HOKKAIDO)

Last summer, I checked off Hokkaido on my bucket list. Since forever, i’ve wanting to visit Hokkaido which is famed for its beautiful pristine countryside. Furano is a town located in the central area of Hokkaido, known for its picturesque rural landscape. The city is rich in nature, and there are many colorful flower fields which blooms beautifully during summer. It’s best known for the lavender fields which is a spectacle of color best enjoyed in July when they’re in full bloom. The neighboring town of Biei is also known for its beautiful rural landscape of rolling hills and vast fields. As these two areas are close to each other, we were able to drive to the various attractions of both areas relatively easy.

Farm Tomita

Colorful flower fields

Lavender Field
Lavender Ice Cream

Address: 15 Kisenkita, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun 071-0704, Hokkaido
Map Code: 349 277 672

There are numerous flower fields of various sizes across Furano. The best spot to view lavender fields that grow as far as the eye can see is Farm Tomita. The farm is covered in breathtaking rows of bright purple lavenders during the summer months. In pictures, it looks too beautiful to be real. It is a scenery everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. The farm is free to enter and besides the flower fields, there are also cafes and shops that sell a wide range of lavender related products. Don’t forget to try the lavender soft serve before you leave. The rich lavender flavour has a refreshing taste and is particularly delightful on a hot summer day.

Kumagera

Local Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu
Wagyu Beef Sashimi over rice

Address: 3-22 Hinodemachi, Furano, Hokkaido
Map Code: 349 032 102

Kumagera is a restaurant that focuses on local Furano style cuisine. The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes using locally sourced ingredients. We ordered the wagyu sashimi over rice and Shabu Shabu. The beef used in both dishes are local wagyu. Wagyu is a supreme variety of beef in which the fat content is much higher than usual, giving the meat it’s signature high marbling. The fat also has a very low melting point which is why it feels like it melts in your mouth. The wagyu sashimi was very tender and juicy and taste like a piece of heaven in your mouth. You will regret it if you don’t order this dish. The restaurant is very popular so be sure to make a reservation or come early to avoid long lineups.

Shikisai no oka

Shikisai no oka

Address: Dai 3 Shinsei, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun 071-0473, Hokkaido
Map Code: 349 701 160

Another popular tourist attraction is Shikisai no Oka. The flower field is carpeted with different kinds of flowers on the grounds of gently rolling hills from April to October. This feast for the eye features a wide range of seasonal flowers that include tulips, lupine, lavender, sunflowers and more. The sight of the rainbow colored flowers, blue sky and mountain range is storybook picturesque. There is also a alpaca farm which offers you a chance to feed and touch cute fluffy alpacas.

Popura Farm

Address: 18 Higashi1senkita, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun 071-0771, Hokkaido
Map Code: 349 309 690

Two things you can’t miss when visiting Hokkaido is the various dairy products and melon. A local specialty in Furano is melon topped with soft serve. It is a refreshing treat in the summer and an Instagram worthy dessert. Popura Farm is a quaint roadside cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. We drove by this place on our way to Biei and ordered a quarter melon with original milk soft serve. Furano melon is very juicy and doesn’t have a sugary taste but a mild fruity sweetness that’s very satisfying. The milk soft serve complimented very well with the sweetness of the melon. Another must eat when visiting Furano.

Blue Pond

Address: Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun 071-0235, Hokkaido
Map Code: 349 568 888

Blue Pond is a mysterious, shining blue pond that rests in the mountainous countryside of Biei. The pond displays various hues of blue depending on the season and the weather. During the summer months, it displays a captivating shade of turquoise that conveys peace and tranquillity.

Food

TORONTO: THE GREEN WOOD

The Green Wood is located in Leslieville neighborhood at Queen Street East and Greenwood Avenue. Tucked away in the well-lit lower level, the space has a clean, modern aesthetic with white exposed brick walls, coral pink tiles and succulents.

Open everyday from 9am-4pm, The Green Wood focuses on serving scratch-made Canadian menu that prominently features local Ontario ingredients. We came on a weekday to try out their brunch and ordered the Salmon Rosti, Coziest French Toast, and the Green Wood Classic.

From top to bottom: Salmon Rosti, Coziest French Toast & The Green Wood Classic

The Salmon Rosti consisted of crispy potato pancake, two poached eggs, smoked salmon, fresh cucumber, and dill and sour cream. The dish was delightful and the potato rosti was much lighter and crisper than I was expected.

The Green Wood Classic is exactly what you would expect from a classic breakfast, two eggs, bacon or sausage, fresh greens, roasted potatoes and toast.

If you have a sweet tooth, make sure you don’t miss the French Toast. The cinnamon-swirled house brioche is a cross between challah bread and cinnamon roll, perfectly cooked with a crisp buttery exterior and soft custardy interior. The french toast is soaked in vanilla custard and covered in fresh berries and maple syrup.

The Green Wood hits all the right spots. The space is comfy and the food was good. Love the use of local ingredients as you can really taste the freshness in the produce.

The Green Wood
Address: 1402 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1C9
Website: https://eatgreenwood.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatgreenwood/

Travel

INSTAGRAM-WORTHY SPOTS IN BANGKOK

When I visited Bangkok, I was most excited about hitting up local cafes and restaurants. Most people wouldn’t associate Bangkok with cafes but the local cafe scene is thriving and there are a lot of new and innovative coffee shop popping up. Here are 6 instagram-worthy spots as your Bangkok cafe hopping guide.

1. Hands and Heart Cafe

Interior
Charcoal croissant & Ice latte

Address: 33 Sukhumvit 38 Alley, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Hands and Heart Cafe is a chic, minimalist cafe with monochromatic interiors. This place is a destination for serious coffee drinkers with a focus on hand brew with Aeropress, pour-over, and Chemex. They also serve handmade pastries and cakes as well. Try their charcoal croissant!

2. Toby’s on Sukhumvit 38

Address: 75 Sukhumvit Soi 38, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Toby’s on Sukhumvit 38 is a bright and airy spot that offers all-day Australian-style breakfast and coffee. The decor is full of homey vibes with brick walls, bright natural light and wooden furnitures. This cafe promises plenty of photography opportunities.

3. Sretsis Parlour

Interior
Surprise milk & Cake

Address: Central Embassy, Level 2 Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

This tea room is like walking into a fairy tale. Upon arrival, you will be carried away to enchanting fantasy land by the daisy-adorned floor, blue sky ceiling, and floral wallpapers covered with lions and unicorns. Serving desserts that are too pretty to eat, fine teas in gorgeous bone china, and beautiful latte art, this tea room is a place you don’t want to miss.

4. Fill in the blank

Interior
Pancake

Address: 28/10 Sukhumvit Soi 61, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Fill in the blank is a cafe dominated with wooden furnishing and cookware hanging artfully on walls that makes it feel like you’re in a french bakery. This gorgeous space feels warm and cozy and has that lazy Sunday morning vibe.

5. Bitterman

Address: 120/1 ถนน ศาลาแดง ซอย 1 Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand

Bitterman is a cafe restaurant that serves thai fusion cuisine. This spacious greenhouse is filled with natural light, tropical greens and plants hanging from glass ceiling. The greenery presents itself as a perfect place for some tranquility.

6. SHUGAA

Address: 61 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

SHUGAA is a modern contemporary cafe with pastel color palette and geometric decor that gives the place a cutesy, youthful vibe. Every corner of this quaint cafe is beautifully detailed and Instagram-worthy. Their desserts also taste as good as they look.