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12 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Hokkaido

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Are you a sakura enthusiast looking for cherry blossom spots in Hokkaido this spring? Here are the 12 best locations to enjoy cherry blossoms across Hokkaido.

Let’s dive in!

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When to See Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido

In Hokkaido, the sakura season kicks off relatively late, from late April to mid-May, making it the last stop on Japan's cherry blossom wave. The bloom starts in Southern Hokkaido and gradually works its magic up north and east.

When it comes to sakura, what we typically imagine is pink flowers on trees. But there is another kind of sakura in Hokkaido. The star of late spring is the charming shiba zakura, a delightful ground cover adorned with tiny pink, white, and purple flowers, creating a breathtaking carpet-like effect. You can enjoy this natural masterpiece in Eastern Hokkaido from May to June.

12 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Hokkaido

Hakodate: Late April to early May

Goryokaku Park

Goryokaku Park, known for its star-shaped fortress ruins, is one of the historic sites in Hokkaido. This park stands out as a popular viewing spot for cherry blossoms in Hakodate, with around 1,500 sakura trees.

If you are looking for an elevated experience - head to the observation deck of the tower nearby, Goryokaku Tower. From there, you’ll catch a breathtaking view of the cherry blossoms forming a star shape. Whether you want to enjoy them from the ground or get a bird's-eye view, Goryokaku Park offers up a perfect blend of nature and history.

🗓️ Late April to early May
🚃 15 min by bus from Hakodate Station and 10 min walk from a bus stop, Goryokaku Park Iriguchi

Goryokaku Park

Hakodate Park

Nestled at the base of the nature-rich Mount Hakodate, Hakodate Park boasts around 360 cherry blossom trees, mainly Somei Yoshino, painting the central fountain area in beautiful shades of pink.

As it’s located at the foothills of the mountain, the different elevations in the park offer a unique sakura setting where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms when looking up from below as well as when overlooking the view from above. There are an amusement park "Hakodate Park Children's Land" and a small zoo within the park, making it a perfect destination for cherry blossom viewing, especially for families with children!

🗓️ Late April to early May
🚃 3 min walk from a tram stop, Aoyagicho

Matsumae Castle

Matsue Castle is the last Japanese-style castle built in 1856 and the northernmost castle in Japan. It is home to a diverse collection of 10,000 cherry blossom trees of 250 varieties. As they gradually bloom at different times, visitors can enjoy sakura viewing for an extended period of over one month.

The area around the castle has been selected as one of the best historical and cultural landscapes with beautiful sceneries in Japan. Matsumae Sakura Festival is held around the peak bloom in late April.

🗓️ Late April to early May
🚃 2 hours by car from Hakodate

Where to stay in Hakodate

  • Century Marina
    ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring,🍴Great Breakfast
    A high-end hotel with an infinity outdoor onsen and a high-quality breakfast buffet. Great access to the major tourist attractions in the town.
  • Hakodate Kokusai Hotel
    ⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Breakfast, ✨Modern Design
    A mid-range hotel with onsen and seafood breakfast buffet
  • Tokyu Stay
    ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring
    All rooms have a laundry machine & microwave, offer a breakfast ticket for the morning market

Sapporo: Late April to mid-May

Maruyama Park

Featuring about 160 cherry blossom trees, Maruyama Park has long been a beloved cherry blossom spot among the locals in Sapporo. It’s a perfect place to stroll around.

During the cherry blossom season, you will see people enjoying Jingiskan (Hokkaido-style lamb BBQ) around the trees. You can also rent a grill there and try it for yourself!

Located just next to Maruyama Park, Hokkaido Jingu (shrine) is also a famous spot for sakura viewing. Make sure to visit here as well.

🗓️ Late April to early May
🚃 5 min walk from Maruyama Park Station, Metro Tozai Line

Maruyama Park

Nakajima Park

Nakajima Park is a beautiful sakura location in the Sapporo city center, with around 400 cherry blossom trees. There are a number of worth-visiting viewing spots in the park - a beautiful contrast of different shades of cherry blossoms and a blue pond in front of Toyohira-kan, the cherry blossom tree-lined path from the sports center to the literature museum, and “Shidare zakura”, weeping cherry blossoms in the Japanese garden, which is a must-visit in full bloom.

🗓️ Late April to mid-May
🚃 Take the Metro to Nakajima Park Station

🍶 Local Izakaya in Sapporo

Want to enjoy the night like a local? Check out this guide to Sapporo's most popular izakaya areas.

Also join Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip! The friendly and outgoing local guides provides you a small group tour to make your experience much more personal and authentic.

Moerenuma Park

Designed by a world-famous sculptor, Isamu Noguchi, Moerenuma Park represents a harmonious blend of nature and art. Nestled within the park is Sakura no Mori, a forest of 1,600 cherry blossom trees. Seven playgrounds are placed across the forest, making it a fun activity for families with kids.

There are also other spots in the park - Moere Mountain offering panoramic views of Sapporo city, a glass pyramid with restaurants and galleries, and a beautiful fountain.

🗓️ Late April to mid-May
🚃 Take a bus from Kanjo Dori Higashi Metro Station to Moerenuma Park Higashiguchi

Where to stay in Sapporo

  • JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo
    ⭐4 stars ♨️Hot spring 🏢Excellent Location
    An urban city hotel with a great location directly connected to JR Sapporo station, shopping malls nearby, and a natural hot spring spa. Only 10 min walk to Odori Park.
  • ONSEN RYOKAN Yuen Sapporo
    ⭐3.5 stars 👩‍❤️‍👨For Couple ♨️Hot spring
    A modern onsen city hotel with simple and stylish rooms, located just 5 min away from Odori Park.
  • Mercure Hotel Sapporo
    ⭐4 stars 🏢Excellent Location 👟Fitness Room
    A city hotel conveniently located in Susukino, a popular spot for local restaurants and bars.

Otaru: Early May to mid-May

Temiya Park

Sitting on a hill in the northern part of Otaru, Temiya Park stands as the most renowned cherry blossom spot in the city. With 700 cherry blossom trees, this park offers a breathtaking view of Otaru Harbor and the city below, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms and the ocean view at the same time.

🗓️ Early May to mid-May
🚃 10 min by bus from Otaru Station, get off at Temiya

Temiya Park

Minami Otaru Station

For a dose of retro charm paired with sakura, swing by Minami-Otaru Station. The cherry blossoms against the retro bridge over the railway are something unique. The blossoms are right at eye level, so you will get to enjoy the flowers very up close. Locals are in on this hidden gem, but many tourists might not know this yet. It's not far from Sakaimachi Street, which is a popular shopping street. If you're around, definitely stop by.

🗓️ Early May to mid-May
🚃 3 min by train from Otaru Station

Tenjoji Temple

If you visit Minami Otaru Station, take a 15-min walk to check out Tenjoji Temple as well. There are around 30 cherry blossom trees in the mix, which might seem a bit fewer than other spots, but you won’t be disappointed. These trees are big, and it makes for quite a spectacle. And here's a bonus: right nearby, Otaru Park is also home to some cherry blossoms scattered all over the place.

🗓️ Early May to mid-May
🚃 15 min walk from Minami Otaru Station

Where to stay in Otaru

  • Grand Park Otaru
    ⭐4 stars, 👀 Beautiful View, 🛍️ Shopping
    A seaside resort hotel, directly connected to a shopping mall, Wing Bay Otaru.
  • Hotel Nord Otaru
    ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, 👀 Beautiful View
    A classic, elegant Western-style hotel located right in front of the Otaru Canal, 7 min walk from JR Otaru Station.
  • Dormy Inn Premium Otaru
    ⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Breakfast
    A city hotel offering a natural hot spring and a popular breakfast buffet including fresh seafood.

Higashi Mokoto Shiba Zakura Park

Eastern Hokkaido: Early May to early June

Higashi Mokoto Shiba Zakura Park

In May and June, two hills in Higashi Mokoto Shiba Zakura Park come alive with bright pink, cute little flowers - moth phlox, also known as "shiba sakura" in Japanese as its color resembles sakura (cherry blossom). The views are amazingly beautiful, making a great backdrop for couples or family photos. There are many walking paths to explore and take in the view.

Aside from the stunning scenery, the park offers plenty of activities during the blooming period, such as fishing, go-karting, and a hot spring foot bath. Everything here is brightened up in pink - including Torii (shrine gate) and ice cream! Be sure to try shiba sakura soft serve for a refreshing treat.

🎟 Admission fee: 500 yen
🗓️ 8 am - 5 pm, May to early June
🚃 40 min by bus from Abashiri to Higashi Mokoto and 5 min by taxi. Shuttlebus is available for a limited period (Check the schedule here).
🚗 30 min from Memambetsu Airport, 40 min from Abashiri, 1h hour from Kitami

Shiba Zakura Takinoue Park

Shibazakura Takinoue Park bursts into full bloom from early May to early June, covering an expansive 100,000 square meters in a sea of vibrant pink. During this period, the Shibazakura Festival takes place, featuring activities such as helicopter sightseeing flights. It's not just a feast for the eyes but a complete sensory experience, making it an ideal time to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and festivities.

🎟 Admission fee: 500 yen
🗓️ 8 am - 6 pm, early May to early June
🚃 Take a bus from JR Asahikawa to Takinoue (140 min), and 15 min walk
🚗 2 hours from Asahikawa

Image by Takinoue Town

Mount Tento Sakura Park, Abashiri

Mount Tento Sakura Park is a renowned cherry blossom destination that graces the final scenes of the northward-marching cherry blossom front, representing the beauty of Abashiri and the Okhotsk region. The panoramic view from the summit of Tento Mountain is one of the most scenic spots in the town. The observatory offers a 360-degree panorama featuring the Okhotsk Sea, Shiretoko Mountain Range, and Lake Abashiri.

The observatory is located on the rooftop of the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, showcasing the winter spectacle of Abashiri, the drift ice, all year round.

🗓️ Mid-May to late May
🚃 15 min by bus from JR Abashiri Station to a bus stop Tentosan

Where to stay in Abashiri

  • Hokuten no Oka Abashiriko Tsuruga Resort
    ⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 🍴Great Buffet
    A relaxing onsen resort hotel featuring Ainu art in its well-designed interior
  • Kagariya
    ⭐3 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍴Local Food Dining
    An onsen ryokan with a lake view, offering seafood Kaiseki dinner and breakfast.
  • Dormy Inn Abashiri
    ⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ♨️Hot Spring
    A budget business hotel with 7-eleven nearby

That’s all!

Hope you enjoy this article! If you’re still deciding where to go in Hokkaido, check out my Hokkaido destination guide and my itineraries to get some ideas.

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