What images come to mind when you hear "Spring in Hokkaido"? In summer, you might picture lavender fields and refreshing landscapes of lush greenery; in autumn, vibrant autumn leaves; and in winter, snowy scenery... But what about spring in Hokkaido? It might be hard to pinpoint a specific image, right?

I'd like to share a unique aspect of spring in Hokkaido that I've experienced firsthand by actually living here.

April in Hokkaido

While cherry blossoms have finished blooming and are turning into leafy trees on Honshu, April in Hokkaido is a time of alternating winter and spring. There are warm days, but also days when it snows, and heaters are still in use at night. The roads are still covered in snow, so many cars are still on their winter tires (studded tires).

Also, at the kindergarten and school entrance ceremonies in early April, students attend in suits or dresses and boots or rain boots instead of high heels, and commemorative photos are taken not under cherry blossom trees, but somehow amidst the snow and difficult footing.

You might be wondering, "So when does spring finally arrive?" While it varies by region, the visible snow usually disappears around late April, and you can finally feel that spring is here.

The snow on the roadsides has finally melted, and it finally feels like spring.

The lake returns to water.

Lakes throughout Hokkaido, particularly in eastern and northern Hokkaido, freeze over during the winter months. Lake Kussharo, with a depth of over 100 meters, freezes completely, and even Lake Mashu, with a depth of over 200 meters, freezes partially. Lakes that meet the required ice thickness and various safety standards offer winter events such as ice fishing for smelt, ice skating, and ice walks, attracting many visitors.

A winter tradition: ice fishing for smelt on the lake.

The lake, which was covered in thick ice during the winter, begins to melt with the arrival of spring, transforming into its "summer appearance." If you live by the lake, you can feel the arrival of spring and the warmth of the season by observing how the ice melts.

At Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido, you can take a sightseeing boat that breaks through the frozen lake ice. You can feel the sound and vibrations of the thick ice breaking, making it a fascinating experience that makes you wonder if you're really on a lake. This year, the boats are scheduled to be available for about a week starting April 21st.

The lake is like sherbet.

Please also see here for information about our spring Lake Akan cruise .

An icebreaking cruise where you cut through the ice to get ahead.

When spring arrives, the animals...

As April arrives and the weather gradually warms up, animals that have awakened from hibernation begin to become active in search of food.

Living near the mountains, we see foxes walking around town like stray cats, sometimes even on our balcony or right in front of our house! Our children are always fascinated by them.

However, foxes carry a parasite called Echinococcus, which is not well known outside of Hokkaido, so you should absolutely never touch them, let alone feed them.

In spring, both humans and foxes go for walks.

Sometimes bears make an appearance...! Since encountering a bear would be quite a hassle (lol), if one does appear, information is broadcast throughout the town, and children are required to be accompanied by their parents when going to school or daycare.

Many people wear bear bells to avoid encountering bears in the first place. Also, there have been recent reports of bears not hibernating, so you can't be complacent just because it's winter...

My hands were shaking from the encounter with the bear...

Also, many people enjoy driving in Hokkaido, but you need to be extremely careful of deer. When driving on mountain roads, you never know when a deer might suddenly jump out, day or night. Please enjoy your drive while obeying the speed limit and paying attention to your surroundings.

It's like being on a safari.

Conversely, while many people in Honshu might imagine cute ladybugs when thinking of spring insects, in Hokkaido, ladybugs are neither spring insects nor cute. This is because ladybugs often appear in large numbers from spring to autumn, and what's more, they overwinter inside houses and buildings! They're not pests, but they're considered a nuisance.

The butterbur season in Hokkaido is in April.

Must-see spring flowers

When we think of spring flowers, cherry blossoms are often the first thing that comes to mind. In Hokkaido, Goryokaku in Hakodate and Matsumae are famous for their cherry blossoms, and Wakkanai in northern Hokkaido and Nemuro in eastern Hokkaido have been featured on television as "Japan's latest cherry blossom viewing spots." While the Somei Yoshino variety is common throughout Japan, the Ezo-yamazakura (also called Ooyamazakura) is more common in Hokkaido. Its flowers are a deeper pink than Somei Yoshino.

Cherry blossoms are lovely, but my personal recommendation for flower viewing is moss phlox. It starts blooming around mid-May, and unlike cherry blossoms, it doesn't grow on tall trees but spreads out across the ground, covering the entire surface. It comes in various colors such as dark pink, light pink, and white, and can be found in some areas of Honshu, but Hokkaido boasts the largest area of ​​moss phlox in Japan.

Some famous spots include Higashimogoto Shibazakura Park and Shibazakura Takinoue Park. The sight of the entire mountain covered in pink is truly breathtaking. When I visited last year, it was unfortunately foggy, but even so, I was overwhelmed and moved by the incredible display of flowers. The children were delighted, running around in the flower fields on the steep slopes.

Additionally, moss phlox is planted in the gardens of private homes and at the foot of mountains, so it can be a delight to the eyes while driving.
While Furano's flower fields and flower roads are famous for their flowers, there are many other places where you can see blossoms even in spring. So why not visit and experience the magnificent beauty of Hokkaido?

Dumplings over flowers?

When it comes to springtime fun, "cherry blossom viewing" is a must, right? Of course, seeing moss phlox and other flowers is enjoyable, but what I'm looking forward to even more might be "BBQ."

People in Hokkaido love BBQ! (They love a lot of things!) As spring arrives and the weather warms up, they start to get restless. Tents and BBQ sets are sold in large quantities at home improvement stores and other shops, and while it's said that every household in Osaka owns a takoyaki maker, it's no exaggeration to say that every household in Hokkaido owns a BBQ set (lol). Rather than going out to see the cherry blossoms at night, they'd rather have a BBQ! On weekends, even if it's a little chilly, you often see people setting up tents or roofs and grilling outside.

It's still cold outside, but that doesn't matter!

The BBQ menu isn't just limited to grilled meat; "jingisukan" (grilled lamb) is also common. Since it's sold pre-seasoned, you can add vegetables and grill it without needing any extra sauce, which makes perfect sense. While you might normally stir-fry it in a pan for everyday meals, the taste of jingisukan grilled on a large griddle outdoors is exceptional. The sweet and savory flavor appeals to everyone from small children to adults, making jingisukan an inseparable part of Hokkaido BBQs.

Summary

Spring in Hokkaido is more than just "it's getting warmer" or "the flowers are blooming." From the snowy landscape, the snow melts, the soil is revealed, grass grows, and flowers bloom. The lakes turn from ice back into water, and animals begin to become active in response. You can clearly see and feel the workings of nature.

Furthermore, for people in snowy regions, the joy and excitement of spring, which finally arrives after a long winter that lasts for nearly six months, is immense, and they skillfully enjoy both snow life and summer life.

One of the best things about Hokkaido is that it offers enjoyment in all four seasons.

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Have the panoramic view of Lake Saroma all to yourself! What's the secret route to the hidden gem of a Lake Saroma observation deck?

• 

  Want to treat yourself? 5 Popular Resort Hotels in Niseko

• 

  Want to go camping in the great outdoors? Here are 7 recommended campsites in Hokkaido!

• 

  Shiretoko's Winter Activities: 5 Must-See Experiences & Events

• 

  A natural wonder just an hour from Sapporo! A summary of sightseeing spots and attractions around Lake Shikotsu!

• 

  If you're going to Hakodate or southern Hokkaido, you should definitely visit! The four seasons and how to enjoy Onuma Park.

• 

  No need to bring anything! Enjoy ice fishing for smelt at Onuma and Junsai Marsh [Experience Report]

• 

  A breathtaking sea of ​​clouds spreads over Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera [Tsubetsu Pass, Bihoro Pass, Lake Mashu Observatory, Mt. Mokoto]

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)