is a city in the prefecture of Hokkaido, Japan, located in the southern reaches of Kamikawa Subprefecture, under whose jurisdiction it resides. Well known throughout Japan as a tourism destination, it is famous for its lavender fields, the television drama Kita no Kuni kara and the Furano Ski Resort, which held the Snowboarding World Cup in recent years. As of September 2016, the city has an estimated population of 22,715 and a density of 38 persons per km2 (98 persons per sq. mi.). The total area is .
History
The city takes its name from the Ainu word "Fura-nui," which means "Stinky Flame" or "Foul-Smelling Place," in the language of the indigenous people of Hokkaido. This is most likely because the valley was associated with sulfuric fumaroles near Tokachi Peak. In 1897 the first homesteaders arrived from Mie Prefecture and settled in what is now the Ogiyama area of the city. The Village of Furano was established as a satellite settlement of the then-preeminent Utashinai Village. In 1899 the settlement was transferred from under the jurisdiction of Sorachi County to Kamikawa County, an official town hall was raised, and Furano Village, Sorachi County was officially established.
Mass transportation soon followed when a railway link to Asahikawa, what is now the second largest city in Hokkaido, was opened in 1900. Three years later, Furano was divided into the upper Kamifurano Village (the present-day town of Kamifurano) and the lower Shitafurano Village (present-day Furano and Minamifurano.) In 1908, Minamifurano Village (now a town) established itself as an autonomous municipality. On April 1, 1915, Yamabe Village was created as a separate municipality, and Shimofurano, Sorachi County gained Second Class Village Status in the Hokkaido Village System. Following rapid development, on April 1, 1919, Shitafurano Village achieved town status and was renamed Furano Town. It gained First Class Town Status exactly two years later. During the closing stages of World War II, Furano was bombed by American naval aircraft in July 1945. On September 30, 1956, Furano annexed the village of Higashiyama. Ten years later, Furano annexed the town of Yamabe and the population boost was enough for it to become a full-fledged city. Furano officially changed its name to Furano City on May 1, 1966.
Economy
Industry
The keystone industry is agriculture, which is centered on onions and carrots. Furano notably produces more carrots than anywhere else in Japan. Watermelon and the Akaniku-brand "Furano Melon" are also produced in large numbers.
Industry also includes tourism, particularly to its lavender fields and ski slopes, as well as the cultivation of grapes, including a municipally-managed winery, and dairy products such as milk and cheese. Furano Delice, made famous for being the first candy factory to put pudding in a milk bottle, is well known for its Furano Milk Pudding.
Agricultural co-op
Furano Agricultural Cooperative (JA Furano)
Local business
Daisy Food Production Industries, Inc. – Furano Factory (デイジー食品工業株式会社富良野工場)
Financial institutions
North Pacific Bank, Ltd., Furano Office
Hokkaido Bank, Ltd., Furano Office
Asahikawa Credit Union, Furano Office (formerly Furano Credit Union) Hokkaido Workers Credit Union, Furano Office Sorachi Commercial Credit Association, Furano Office
Postal services
Furano Post Office (the Furano Office of Japan Post Service Company, Ltd. is located within the same building.) Furano Wakaba Post Office (includes ATM service) Kitanomine Post Depot (postal service only) Rokugo Post Office
Public service institutions
Police
Furano Police Station
Sister cities
Domestic
Furano partnered with Nishiwaki City, Hyōgo Prefecture on October 20, 1978, becoming Furano's first and only domestic Sister City association. Nishiwaki (Hyōgo Prefecture)
Abroad
Furano has been sister cities with Schladming, Austria since February 23, 1977. Schladming (Austria)
Regional
Education
High School
Public High Schools
Hokkaido Furano High School, Hokkaido Furano Ryokuho High School
Technical Schools
Furano Nursing College
Middle Schools
Furano Higashi, Furano Nishi, Jukai, Yamabe
Elementary Schools
Furano, Ogiyama, Higashi, Torinuma, Furebetsu, Jukai, Yamabe
Elementary/Middle Schools
Rokugo, Nunobe
Transportation
Airport
Asahikawa Airport is located south of Asahikawa's city center in the outlying town of Higashi Kagura. It is approximately an hour away from Furano by bus or car.