Photographer Gan Iwaiwa takes us through his family summer in Furano — from the lavender illuminations at Kamifurano to a well-earned burger at Torinuma Park.
Few people know Hokkaido’s changing seasons quite like Gan Iwaiwa. Based in Sapporo, the photographer has spent the last eight years capturing the island’s shifting moods — from misty mountain mornings to fiery autumn forests. What started as a personal account chronicling his hiking adventures and family life, eventually became a nature photobook attracting 279,000 followers along the way.
He works with one firm rule: the weather decides. If the conditions aren’t right, he doesn’t shoot, even if it’s somewhere he has planned on going for months. He would rather wait a full year than settle for a version of the scene he doesn’t want. Talk about exacting standards!
This summer, he brought the family to Furano and stayed at Fenix Furano, a luxury condotel opposite the Kitanomine gondola. It wasn’t just a usual summer trip: the timing was deliberate, as the Kamifurano Lavender Festival had just opened.
We speak to Gan about his photography style and his personal Furano tips.
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Your Instagram account started as something much smaller. Tell us, how did it all begin?
It was a personal record at first: hiking, cycling, the children growing up. That was around eight years ago. Friends kept telling me the photos were good, which was enough to keep me going, and over time it turned into landscapes I wanted people to see.
How do you find new places to shoot?
Almost all of them come from Instagram. I’ll see somewhere on the feed, work out where it is, then go and find it for myself.
Is there anything you always keep in mind on a shoot?
The weather, without question. If the conditions aren’t right, I won’t go, even to a spot I’ve been planning for. I’d rather wait until the following year than come away with something less than I wanted.
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As a local, what do visitors tend to walk past?
Living here, you notice the brief moments that come and go with each season. I try not to miss them. That is more or less the whole point of the account.
Which moment from this trip to Furano has stayed with you?
Arriving just as the Kamifurano Lavender Festival opened. The lavender, lit after dark at Hinode Park, is the one I keep coming back to. I’d happily return next year just for that.
Where should visitors eat and spend an afternoon?
My favourite way to spend time in Furano is having the Furano Burger at Torinuma Park, nothing more elaborate than that. I’m also very fond of the roast beef rice bowl at Kumagera.
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Tell us, what did the children do during your trip?
They rode the boats at Torinuma Park and hunted for stag beetles. Those two things kept them going all day.
Is there anything that stood out during your stay at Fenix Furano?
My first thought is that it’s well put-together hotel. After that it was the private balcony, where I took far more photos than I needed to, looking out over Furano. The location makes moving around the area simple, which counts a lot when you are working to the light. One small thing I loved: the staff sorted out my shooting schedule at check-in without any fuss.
How long should a family stay?
Two or three nights are about right. That gives you both Furano and Biei without having to rush either.
Ready for a Furano summer of your own? Start here:
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PSA: Early bird access for Winter 2026/27 is now open with exclusive rates for peak dates.