It’s time for cherry blossoms!!
Many countries around the world have cherry blossoms but when you think of Japan, the two images that pop to your mind are Mt. Fuji & cherry blossoms, isn’t it?
The time of the year that everyone in Japan is waiting for with bated breath: Spring brings with it warmth and the delicate elegance of the pink blossom. Are you ready for sakura? Spring is almost here so let’s gear up and gather all the information necessary for your trip to Japan.
We have created six regional guides with our recommended spots for cherry blossoms to make your life easy and this one highlights those in HOKKAIDO.
You can narrow down your choices with the help of our list!
Cherry blossom forecast for 2019
The following are the most well-known websites for weather updates in Hokkaido.
Tenki.jp (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: May 3 (Sapporo)
Full bloom: May 9 (Sapporo)
Weathernews (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: April 27 (Sapporo)
Full bloom: May 5 (Sapporo)
Walkerplus (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: April 30 (Sapporo)
Full bloom: May 4 (Sapporo)
Earth Communication Provider (Updated on February 7, 2019)
First bloom: May 5 (Sapporo)
Full bloom: May 8 (Sapporo)
Recommended spots
Get access information, details like opening times, peak season by clicking on the “Details” for each spot. Note that the best viewing period is based on last year’s data.
Goryokaku Park
Goryokaku is a star-shaped pentagon fort and is symbolic of Hakodate. It was the location of the Boshin War, a war during the Meiji era between the new government’s forces and the old shogunate forces of the Edo era, and was where the old shogunate forces finally fled into. The Goryokaku, which is open to the public as a park today, is also known as a famous sakura spot. There are over 1,600 sakura trees blooming and soothing the hearts of those that come to see them. From the tower that overlooks Hakodate with a 360-degree view, the beautiful sakura that decorate the Goryokaku can be seen.
Illuminations take place every night from 19:00 until 21:00 during the sakura season. The Goryokaku Tower is a recommended place, from where you can see the beautifully lit up sakura. The pentagon shining in a pale pink light steals the hearts of its spectators.
For more on Goryokaku Park
Hokkaido Jingu
Hokkaido Jingu (shrine) was built under the command of the Meiji Emperor in 1872; its location was selected after careful research as part of the city planning. It is also a good location from the view point of Feng Shui, and is regarded as one of the most powerful spiritual places in Hokkaido. After the severe winter, spring in Hokkaido comes in a rush. Plum blossoms are usually in full bloom in early spring in other areas in Japan while cherry blossoms in mid spring. But in Hokkaido, they are in full bloom at the same time: you can see deep pink plum blossoms and pale pink cherry blossoms at once in the shrine area. They are at their best around the end of April to the middle of May every year.
For more on Hokkaido Jingu
Matsumae Park
Matsumae Park is a large area consisting of Matsumae Castle and a theme park Matsumae-Han Yashiki. It has many historic traces and is also a renowned sakura spot. The area surrounding Matsumae Castle has 10,000 sakura trees of 250 species and is selected as one of the 100 top sakura spots in Japan.
The park also has a rose and a peony garden as well as many flowers other than sakura, such as hydrangea and camellia. During sakura season, the Matsumae Sakura Festival is held, during which there are various specialty stands and events.
For more on Matsumae Park
Super Convenient Google Map List
Worried about getting lost in this massive city? We’ve made a special cherry blossom viewing list on Google Maps! Add the list to your own google maps and enjoy basking in the glory of cherry blossoms.
Link: https://goo.gl/maps/YGVHGBebEWJ2
(This feature was originally written in 2018. The forecast dates have been updated to 2019.)
