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Exploring Central Sapporo’s best cherry-blossom spots and power spots (tasteful shrines of strong spiritual energy famed for their rejuvenating abilities). The best time to hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) is from late April to mid May.
⚫︎ Sakura seasons and events are subject to change. Check the official website for the latest information.
TRANSPORT
It is a 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station to Odori Station. Otherwise, it is one stop south of Sapporo subway station. Get the one-day ticket for subway use.
Itinerary
▼ Take the Tozai subway line to Maruyama-koen, then 3min walk
▼ Take the Tozai subway line from Maruyama-koen to Odori and transfer to the Nanboku subway line for Nakajima-koen
▼ 10min walk
▼ Take the Nanboku subway line from Horohira-bashi to Sumikawa, then 8min walk
▼ Take the Nanboku subway line from Sumikawa to Odori and transfer to the Toho subway line for Higashi-kuyakusho-mae (10min), then 10min walk
PARK & SHRINE
Maruyama Park & Hokkaido Jingu
円山公園・北海道神宮
▶︎ 3min walk from Maruyama-koen subway station
Just 5 minutes by the Tozai subway line from Odori, this leafy area is one of Sapporo’s best spots for hanami. You will find cherry trees from the entrance of Maruyama Park to the shrine gate of Hokkaido Jingu, as well as food stalls.
PARK
Nakajima Park
中島公園
▶︎ 1min walk from Nakajima-koen subway station
Popular with locals and students, Nakajima Park is attractive during cherry-blossom season. The best places to see sakura are Shobu-ike pond, Hoheikan hall, Japanese garden and Hokkaido Museum of Literature.
SHRINE
Sapporo Gokoku Jinja
札幌護国神社
▶︎ 10min walk from Hoheikan (Nakajima Park) / 3min walk from Horohira-bashi subway station
This sizable shrine was established in 1879 and honors Hokkaido’s tondenhei (agricultural soldiers) who died during the Seinan civil war of Kyushu. Don’t miss Taga Jinja (多賀神社) for gods of relationships and longevity. It can easily be paired with Nakajima Park.
SHRINE & PARK
Soma Jinja & Tenjin-yama Ryokuchi Park
相馬神社・天神山緑地
▶︎ 8min walk from Sumikawa subway station
This hilltop shrine and ‘power spots’ was built in 1928. The adjoining Tenjin-yama Ryokuchi Park has some 300 cherry trees and 100 plums around the Japanese garden overlooking the city center.
MUSEUM
Sapporo Beer Museum
サッポロビール博物館
▶︎ 10min walk from JR Naebo Station / 10min walk from Higashi-kuyakusho-mae subway station
Built in 1880, this red-brick museum displays the history of Sapporo Beer from the Meiji period. The front garden is a photogenic hanami spot. You can enjoy jingisukan (mutton barbecue) and beer at the Garden Grill (ガーデングリル) restaurant opposite the cherry trees.
札幌 櫻花 | 삿포로 벚꽃