A slow-living escape into Japan’s northern countryside.

As the seasons shift and the leaves turn golden, Hokkaido, Japan’s wild northern frontier, becomes a tranquil haven for lovers of the land. Far from the bustling cities, you’ll find quiet villages where farmers harvest by hand, wildflowers still sway in the cool wind, and every meal is made with care. In this guide, we invite you to embrace cottagecore ideals — simplicity, seasonal living, handmade beauty — while immersing yourself in farm life, local traditions, and the peaceful rhythm of nature. Whether you're picking apples, sipping tea beside a wood stove, or journaling under a canopy of birch trees, Hokkaido in autumn is a gentle reminder to slow down and reconnect with the earth.

When to Go

Mid-September to Late October
This is when Hokkaido’s countryside bursts into warm, earthy colors, harvest season is in full swing, and temperatures are cool but cozy — perfect for layered linen, thick socks, and wool hats.

Suggested Itinerary: 4 Days of Slow, Seasonal Joy

Day 1: Arrival in Furano – Lavender Fields & Local Cheese

Morning: Arrive in Furano, a town nestled in central Hokkaido known for its flower fields and local produce. Rent a bicycle and take a slow ride through the rolling hills.
Midday: Visit Farm Tomita, famous for its lavender fields (still blooming lightly in early autumn) and quaint farm café. Sip lavender tea and taste soft-serve ice cream infused with seasonal herbs.
Afternoon: Tour a local dairy farm, meet the goats and cows, and learn how Furano’s cheese and yogurt are made. Try your hand at simple cheesemaking or churning butter by hand.
Evening: Check into a cozy farmstay or pension with a wood-burning stove and a garden view. Enjoy a slow-cooked meal of Hokkaido vegetables, locally sourced grains, and freshly baked bread.

🏡 Stay: Furano Jam Garden Farmstay – handmade decor, seasonal meals, and baskets of fresh herbs in every room.

Day 2: Slow Living in Biei – Nature Walks & Handcrafts

Morning: Head to Biei, a sleepy town famous for its scenic rolling hills and tree-lined country roads. Begin the day with a forest bathing walk among Hokkaido’s iconic silver birch trees.
Midday: Enjoy a picnic lunch made with seasonal produce — rice balls wrapped in leaves, pickled veggies, and herbal tea in a thermos.
Afternoon: Visit a local craft studio for a hand-dyeing or weaving workshop using natural fibers and plant-based dyes. Many artists in the area incorporate elements of the local landscape into their work.
Evening: Return to your farmhouse or inn for a hot herbal bath and a book by candlelight.

📚 Suggested reading: “The Little House in the Big Woods” by Laura Ingalls Wilder — a perfect companion for rustic nights under the stars.

Day 3: Harvest Day in Tokachi – Apple Picking & Homemade Pie

Morning: Travel to Tokachi, an agricultural heartland with orchards, wheat fields, and pumpkin patches. Spend the morning picking apples, plums, or late-season berries at a local farm.
Midday: Join a cooking class in a countryside kitchen, where you’ll learn to bake homemade apple pies and preserve fruit into jams using traditional Japanese methods.
Afternoon: Explore the peaceful fields or help with farm chores — collecting eggs, harvesting root vegetables, or stacking firewood.
Evening: Share a harvest dinner with your host family, served around a wooden table with stories, laughter, and homemade sake.

🍎 Try: Hokkaido’s yuki-no-yume apples — sweet, crisp, and perfect for pie.

Day 4: Morning Markets & Farewell Forests

Morning: Visit a local farmers market for handmade goods, seasonal produce, dried flowers, and honey. Chat with growers and makers who bring cottagecore to life.
Late Morning: Walk through the Naitai Highlands, where golden grass sways and sheep graze lazily. Find a quiet spot for journaling, reading, or simply watching the wind roll over the hills.
Afternoon: End your journey with a slow train ride back toward Sapporo or Asahikawa, sipping tea as the countryside drifts past your window.

Cottagecore Moments Not to Miss

Pressing wildflowers and autumn leaves into your travel journal
Writing a letter or poem from a windowsill overlooking the fields
Foraging mushrooms (with a local guide!) in a birch forest
Wearing soft knits, vintage linen dresses, and wool cloaks on country walks
Photographing straw hats hung on fences and wooden wash lines fluttering in the breeze

What to Pack

Layers for changing weather (linen, wool, cozy socks)
A blank journal and your favorite pen
A favorite book (or two) with themes of rural life or nature
Reusable containers for picnics and market finds
A thermos for tea or warm cider on the go

Harvest Season in Hokkaido is not about doing more — it’s about doing less, more beautifully. This slow, pastoral escape is perfect for those who long for the scent of ripe apples, the comfort of wool blankets, and the joy of watching the world quietly change around them. Whether you're reading under a persimmon tree or making jam beside an open window, this is a place to return to yourself — gently, fully, and with wonder.

Harvest Season in Hokkaido: Farm Stays, Flower Fields & Rustic Traditions