In general, cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April in Japan. However, it is different in Hokkaido.
As it is located in the northernmost part of Japan, it is last to become warm weather.
Spring eventually comes in late April in Sapporo, the capital of the Prefecture, and cherry blossoms bloom till May.
Since its location is in the northernmost part, Hokkaido’s climate and plants are unique in comparison to many other parts of Japan. There are also varieties of cherry blossom trees that are not found in Honshu.
In this time, we introduce 7 recommended places within Sapporo during the cherry blossom season.
First, clothing for the cherry blossom season
In May, the average maximum temperature of Sapporo is 17.3 ℃ (63 F)and the average minimum temperature is 8.3 ℃(47 F).
It is slightly warm during the day, but cold in the morning and evening.
In addition, it is chilly even in the afternoon on rainy days.
Please bring a warm jacket just in case.
If you wear a blouse and pants in the warm afternoon, you might catch a cold.
It will suddenly turn chilly in the evening.
1. From Maruyama Park to Hokkaido Shrine (The classic cherry blossom viewing route for residents of Sapporo City)
Maruyama Park is a famous place where most residents of Sapporo City have visited at least once.
There are about 160 cherry blossom trees on the site of about 68 ha (1 ha = 2.47105 ac).
There are huge crowds at the time of full bloom!
When cherry blossoms bloom in Japan, there are parties underneath.
For this reason, there are people, with drinks in hand, having a good time.
You can enjoy the lively atmosphere.
The secret to the popularity of Maruyama Park is its convenient location, 5 minutes away by subway from the central area of Sapporo.
Furthermore, being directly linked to Hokkaido Shrine is also an attractive point.
Hokkaido Shrine is also a famous place for cherry blossoms, where 1,034 cherry blossom trees bloom all over in spring.
However, as it is a shrine, people do not have parties there and the atmosphere is calm.
Directions
Address: Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Directions: From the Subway Tozai Line Odori Station, take trains towards Miyanosawa for 5 minutes, alight at Maruyama Park, take Exit 2, and walk for about 5 minutes.
Telephone: 011-621-0453 (Park Management Office)
2. Nakajima Park (For a relaxing walk in the garden)
It is just 3 stops from the Subway Sapporo Station.
Even though it is located pretty much in the center of Sapporo, you can leisurely view cherry blossoms in Nakajima Park.
In the park, various cherry blossom trees such as double-flowered cherry, sargent cherry, and weeping cherry are planted.
These are in full bloom at slightly different times, such that any one of these would be in full bloom for a stretch of time.
There is a Japanese garden in the west of the park. You can see cherry blossoms here in a pleasant atmosphere!
You can enjoy scenery similar to the past Japan , which is different from the present with rows of high-rise buildings.
In addition, You can rent a boat and ride on it at the Iris Pond located in the middle of the park. The cherry blossoms near the water are especially beautiful when viewed from a boat.
▲ Photographed from the “Novotel Sapporo Hotel”
Nakajima Park is famous for the Western architecture named“Hoheikan”， it was built in the Meiji era (1868-1912) when western culture just entered Japan. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property with the exact appearance from the past.
It is under construction until June 2016 for purposes of conservation, repair, etc., including renovation for earthquake-resistance.
From spring 2017, you can enjoy the combination of the nostalgic Hoheikan and cherry blossoms.
Directions
Address: 1 Nakajima Park, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Directions: From the Subway Namboku line Sapporo Station, take the train in the direction of Makomanai for 5 minutes, alight at Nakajima Park Station, and it will be just outside Exit 1 or 3.
Telephone: 011-511-3924 (Park Management Office)
3. Cherry blossom viewing at Moerenuma Park gives you an amazing experience of expanse!
Photograph courtesy of: Moerenuma Park
It has large grounds of about 189 ha.
On a clear sunny day, you will have a wonderful time viewing cherry blossoms.
There is an area called “Cherry Blossom Forest” in the park. In the area, there are an astounding 2,600 cherry blossom trees.
It is one of the largest number of cherry blossom trees in Hokkaido!
Photograph courtesy of: Moerenuma Park
The playground for children is well-equipped here.
The park was designed by the famous interior designer, Isamu Noguchi. The design of the playground equipment was also done by him, offering an unexpected arrangement.
If you visit with your family, children would be happy at this place with unexpected playground equipment.
It is conveniently reached by car, bus, or taxi!
Directions
From the Sapporo Municipal Subway Toho Line Sapporo Station, take the train in the direction of Sakaemachi for 6 minutes, alight at Kanjo-Dori-Higashi Station, and transfer to a bus.
Chuo bus【East 69】in the direction of “Ainosato-Kyoikudai Station” / “Nakanuma-Shogakko-Dori,” alight at “Moerenuma Park East Entrance”
Chuo bus【East 79】in the direction of “Nakanuma-Shogakko-Dori,” alight at “Moerenuma Park East Entrance”
Chuo bus【East 61（Bi 61）】Departing from “Sapporo Beer Museum” via “Kanjo-Dori-Higashi Station” in the direction of “Nakanuma-Shogakko-Dori,” alight at “Moerenuma Park West Entrance※” (Each bus journey takes about 25 minutes)
Address: 1-1 Moerenuma Park, Higashi-ku, Sapporo City
Dates when park is closed: None
Open period: Only the East Entrance Gate is open throughout the year. The West Entrance Gate and South Entrance Gate are open only during the period of April 20th-November 20th.
Opening hours: (East Entrance Gate) 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
(West Entrance Gate and South Entrance Gate) 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
4. Hokkaido University, a little-known great cherry blossom viewing spot in the central area of Sapporo
While the central area of Sapporo is easily accessible, you will encounter rows of buildings as it is downtown.
Walking about 10 minutes from JR Sapporo Station, there is a spot where you can leisurely view cherry blossoms away from the tall buildings in the midst of the city.
In front of the department of medicine, there is a row of about 30 cherry blossom trees.
Directions
Directions: Alight at JR Sapporo Station, 10 minutes on foot
5. A truly extraordinary scenery! Though far, you would still want to go to see the cherry blossoms at Toda Memorial Park
It is about 70 minutes by car from the central area of Sapporo. Though it is a little far from the city, we really want you to see the cherry blossoms at Toda Memorial Park.
With a total of 8,000 cherry blossom trees, the cherry blossom viewing spot is incomparable to other places. The indescribably beautiful scenery expands in front of you.
The challenge is that it is not easy to get to the place, unless by car or bus.
If you go by bus, you can get there from the Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal in Odori-Higashi 1 Chome, for ¥1,070 one way.
If you head there by car, you will get there if you take the National Highway Route 231 (Soseigawa Street),
which lies between “West 1 Chome” and “East 1 Chome” in Sapporo City, in the direction of Ishikari.
Directions
Address: 327 Morai, Atsuta-ku, Ishikari City, Hokkaido
Directions: (Car) Take the National Highway Route 231 (Soseigawa Street) in the direction of Ishikari
(Bus) From Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal, take the bus in the direction of Atsuta, alight at the Toda Memorial Park Entrance
Telephone: 0133-77-2321
6. Convenient cherry blossom viewing at Odori Park, which is very easily accessible
Odori Park is located in the central area of Sapporo. Though the park itself is a regular tourist spot, the famous “Sapporo TV Tower” is in the easternmost part of the park.
If you were to visit Odori Park to view cherry blossoms, walk westwards, which is the direction away from the TV Tower. The route through West 6 Chome towards the west end of the park, West 13 Chome, is recommended.
From Subway Odori Station, it is a distance of 20 minutes on foot to West 13 Chome.
Though some areas have only a few cherry blossom trees, you will not get bored walking around with the presence of fountains, playground equipment, objects, etc.
Directions
10 minutes on foot from JR Sapporo Station
Directly linked to Subway Odori Station
7. The Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region, a brilliant cherry blossom viewing spot, which we would like to retain as a less-known spot
The well-known cherry blossom viewing spot will definitely become packed during the period of full bloom.
If you prefer a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot that does not become crowded, the cherry blossoms at The Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region are recommended.
From the Subway Namboku Line Sapporo Station, take the train in the direction of Makomanai for 8 minutes. From Nakanoshima Station where you alight, it takes about 3 minutes on foot. The Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region is also easily accessible from the central area.
Usually, research on civil engineering technology in the cold region is conducted there.
This place usually doesn’t pay attention that much because only staff go there. There are about 200 cherry blossom trees along a small river on the premises.
When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, parking on the premises is open to the public every year. However, as spaces are limited, you might be better to use public transportation.
Directions
Address: 1-3-1-34 Hiragashi, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo City
Directions: From Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line Sapporo Station, take the train in the direction of Makomanai for 8 minutes, alight at Nakanoshima Station, take Exit 1, and walk for about 3 minutes.
Telephone: 011-841-1112
Conclusion
There are a lot more cherry blossom viewing spots in the environs of Sapporo, including famous attractions as well as those off the beaten track.
On this occasion, we have introduced 7 attractive spots among them. When you stop by Sapporo from late April-early May, we hope that you will also enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms.
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