Hokkaido’s 10 Best Cherry-blossom and Sakura Spots

HAKODATE

Goryokaku Park

五稜郭公園

▶︎ 15min walk from Goryokaku-koen-mae tram stop

This 25-hectare, star-shaped park was originally home to Goryokaku fort, built in 1864 by the Edo shogunate. It is famous for one of Hokkaido’s best hanami spots. Some 1500 cherry trees bloom in early May. The 107m-high Goryokaku Tower provides bird’s-eye-view of Goryokaku.

HAKODATE

Hakodate Park

函館公園

▶︎ 2min walk from Aoyagi-cho tram stop

One of Japan’s oldest urban parks opened in 1879, this ocean-view oasis was landscaped by volunteer citizen at the foot of Hakodate-yama. About 400 cherry trees bloom in early May, and they are lit up at night. After the stroll, head to Yachigashira Onsen near the park.

MATSUMAE

Matsumae-jo

松前城

▶︎ 5min walk from Matsushiro bus stop / 10min walk from Michi-no-eki Kitamaebune Matsumae

Perched on the hill overlooking the Tsugaru Strait, Matsumae-jo is Japan’s northernmost and last traditional castle. The castle was built in 1854 by the daimyo Matsumae Takahiro. The present castle tower was rebuilt in 1961 and the inside is a castle museum (10 Apr-10 Dec), which displays historic documents and art relating to the Matsumae clan.

SAPPORO

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.

SHINHIDAKA

Shizunai Nijukken Road

静内二十間道路桜並木

▶︎ Take the Donan Bus for Noya (農屋) from Shizunai (静内) and get off at Sakuraoka-shogakko (桜丘小学校: 19min), then 18min walk

Planted from 1916 as an approach to the Imperial Stock Farm, this 8km-long and 36m-width scenic road is lined with 2200 cherry trees that brust into bloom from late April to mid May. Shizunai Sakura Matsuri (しずない桜まつり) is held around the agricultural high school.

BIBAI

Tomei Park

東明公園

▶︎ 8min walk from Old Tomei Station

If you have a chance to visit Bibai in early May, stretch your legs to Sorachi’s top cherry-blossom viewing spot on a hill. Otherwise, azalea (tsutsuji) blooms from late May to early June. There is an observation tower with a great view.

DATE

Usu-Zenko-ji

有珠善光寺

▶︎ 20min walk from JR Usu Station / 6min walk from Zenkoji-iriguchi bus stop

One of Hokkaido’s most atmospheric temples stand by the pretty harbor, Usu Zenkō-ji has a history stretching back to 826. The temple is planned with a number of cherry trees, especially the Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree (ishiwari-zakura) is sprouted from the crack in a huge cinder of the 1822 Usu-zan eruption.

ASAHIKAWA

Asahiyama Park

旭山公園

▶︎ Take bus 41 or 47 to Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) or Asahiyama-koen-iriguchi (旭山公園入口) from JR Asahikawa Station (40min), then 5min walk

If you visit Asahiyama Zoo, don’t miss this neighborhood hillside park. Some 2000 cherry trees bloom in early May and they will be lit up at night during the Yozakura Festival. The entrance near the Zoo’s main gate.

WASSAMU

Shiokari-toge Pass

塩狩峠 一目千本桜

▶︎ 1min walk from JR Shiokari Station

On the former border of Teshio and Ishikari provinces, the Shiokari Pass on the JR Soya Line sits at 274m and well-known for Miura Ayako’s famous novel. Beside JR Shiokari Station (30min by local train from Asahikawa), some 1600 Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees come into bloom in mid May.

OBIHIRO

Midorigaoka Park

緑ヶ丘公園

▶︎ 20min walk from JR Obihiro Station south gate

A 20-minute walk south of JR Obihiro Station along Koen-odori, this 50-hectare scenic park (opened in 1929) has some 700 cherry trees along the walkways. There are museums and a zoo. A well-landscaped lawn is a great place to break for a picnic.