Hokkaido: 7 Magnificent Cherry Blossom Spots to Visit in 2026

See the Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido!

In Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture in Japan, the cherry blossoms start to bloom in late April.

According to the latest forecast for 2026, in Sapporo, the cherry blossoms will likely start to bloom around April 25 and reach full bloom around April 29.

In Hakodate, expect to see the first blooms around April 23 and the peak bloom around April 27.

7 Beautiful Cherry Blossom Spots in Hokkaido

1. Sapporo: Enjoy the Flowers at the Magnificent Moerenuma Park
2. Hakodate: Overlook the Cherry Blossoms from the Goryokaku Tower
3. Matsumae: See a Rich Variation of Cherry Blossoms at Matsumae Park
4. Hidaka: Beautiful Rows of Cherry Trees Line Shizunai Nijukken Road
5. Furano: View of the Distant Mountains at Asahigaoka Park
6. Otaru: A Gorgeous Night View at Tenguyam
7. Asahikawa Park, Located Right Next to the Zoo

To reach Hokkaido, use these convenient travel passes for international visitors: JR PASS and Hokkaido Rail Pass

1. Sapporo: Enjoy the Flowers at the Magnificent Moerenuma Park

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Located in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, Moerenuma Park is a massive green space spanning 1.88 million square meters.

Designed by world-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi, the entire landscape was conceived as a single, unified sculpture. It features geometric mountains, striking fountains, and avant-garde playground equipment that blend modern art with play.

While the art-inspired facilities are a hit with children, the park offers year-round appeal for adults, too. Visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, water play areas in summer, vibrant autumn foliage, and cross-country skiing or sledding across the snowy landscape in winter.

Picture courtesy of Pixta

The cherry blossom forest spans 130,000 square meters and features roughly 1,900 trees in bloom.

Beyond the blossoms, visitors can discover seven hidden play areas tucked away among the trees. With 126 pieces of colorful equipment to explore, the forest is designed to pique the curiosity of guests of all ages.

Picture courtesy of Pixta

For a panoramic view of the entire park, head to the summit of Mt. Moere. Reaching the 62-meter peak takes only ten minutes—a manageable climb even for those visiting with children—and rewards you with an observatory overlooking the cherry blossom forest and the Sapporo skyline.

When you're ready for a break, visit Hidamari, the park’s striking glass pyramid. This cultural hub houses an art gallery, a sun-lit rest area, and a French restaurant featuring fresh, seasonal Hokkaido ingredients. It’s the perfect place to relax, shop, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Moerenuma Park with friends and family.

Moerenuma Park

1-1 Moerenumakoen, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 007-0011

2. Hakodate: Overlook the Cherry Blossoms from the Goryokaku Tower

Picture courtesy of Pixta

Goryokaku Tower is a famous observatory in Hakodate, Hokkaido. From the top, you can look out over roughly 1,600 cherry trees inside the star-shaped Goryokaku Park.

Picture courtesy of Pixta

In spring, the view of the park transforms into a delicate pink. The observatory also contains an exhibit space to learn about the history of Goryokaku Tower and has a see-through floor made with reinforced glass. With restaurants, cafe stands, and a gelato shop inside the facility, you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

Goryokaku Tower

43-9 Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido 040-0001

Goryokaku Tower is a 107-meter-tall observation tower in Hakodate, Hokkaido. Completed in 1988, it stands next to the special historic site of Goryokaku, the former site of a star-shaped fortress. From the tower, you can enjoy a beautiful 360-degree panoramic view of Hakodate city and Goryokaku Park. It also houses a historical museum, souvenir shop, and restaurant, making it a popular tourist spot in Hakodate. The scenery changes with the seasons, especially the cherry blossom season and snowy scenery, making it a spectacular sight.

3. Matsumae: See a Rich Variation of Cherry Blossoms at Matsumae Park

Picture courtesy of Matsumae Tourism Association

Matsumae Town, located in the southern Hokkaido district of Matsumae, is the only castle town in the prefecture. Matsumae Park is home to the symbolic Matsumae Castle. The entire park is known as a cherry blossom spot. Visitors can also view a recreation of the Matsumae Clan estate.

Matsumae Castle is also known as the "cherry blossom village" due to its wide variety of flowers. In spring, an astounding 10,000 flowers in 250 varieties blossom in the park. Since the peak bloom timing for each variety is different, you can see cherry blossoms here for about one month.

Picture courtesy of Pixta

During the best time to see the flowers, the Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival is held in the park. The celebration has various events such as armored warrior parades and dances. From the second park area, which is on elevated ground, you can get a superb view of the entire park and the Tsugaru Strait between Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures.

Matsumae Park

Address: Hokkaido, Matsumae, Matsumae, Matsumae CastleGoogle Maps
Access: From JR Kikonai Station, take the Hakodate bus bound for Matsumae for about 90 minutes, then get off at Matsumae (1,250 yen) and walk five minutes
Homepage: http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/kn/tkn/hana/place/s011.html (Japanese)

4. Hidaka: Beautiful Rows of Cherry Trees Line Shizunai Nijukken Road

Picture courtesy of Pixta

You can see more than 3,000 cherry trees planted for roughly seven kilometers along the Shizunai Nijukken Road. Over the course of three years starting in 1916, cherry trees from the nearby mountains were re-planted along this road.

The Nijukken Road is a heritage site in Hokkaido that people want to continue to preserve for generations. It is one of Japan’s most beloved places for cherry blossoms. From early to mid-May, around 200,000 people come from all over the country to see the blooms. Since there are few buses, we recommend staying near Shizunai Station for a night.

Shizunai Nijukken Road

Address: Hokkaido, Hidaka, Hidaka, Shizunai, Harada Google Maps
Access: From JR Sapporo Station, take the Donan Bus Express Pegasus (two hours and 40 minutes, 2,410 yen) and get off at Shizunai Station. From Shizunai Station, take the Donan Bus bound for Kenno (15 minutes, 410 yen) and get off Sakurafuen, then walk for 17 minutes
Homepage: http://shinhidaka.hokkai.jp/kankoukyoukai/nizyukken/douro.html

5. Furano: A View of the Distant Mountains at Asahigaoka Park

Picture courtesy of Furano City Hall

Asahigaoka Park is designated as one of Japan’s one hundred top views. From the top of the mountain, you can look out over the Furano Basin and the Tokachidake mountain range.

Picture courtesy of Furano City Hall

In the spring, the park is busy with crowds coming to enjoy the approximately 3,000 Sargent cherry trees. The park is very spacious and perfect for picnics.

Asahigaoka Park

Address: Hokkaido, Furano, Shimogoryo
Google Maps
Access: From JR Furano Station, take the Goryo Line bus or the Lavender bus (bound for the Shin-Furano Princess Hotel) and get off at Kisen (160 yen), then walk five minutes

6. Otaru: A Gorgeous Night View at Mt. Tengu

Picture courtesy of Otaru City Industry and Harbor Department, Tourism Promotion Office

In springtime on Mt. Tengu, one of Hokkaido’s three famous night views, you can see this beautiful sakura cherry blossom tree in bloom.

Picture courtesy of Otaru City Industry and Harbor Department, Tourism Promotion Office

The city of Otaru and the sea fills the space behind the tree, and the scenery is breathtaking.

Mt. Tengu

Address: Hokkaido, Otaru, Mt. Tengu Google Maps
Access: From JR Otaru Station, take the Hokkaido Chuo bus bound for Mt. Tengu (20 minutes, 220 yen). Get off and take the ropeway (four minutes, round-trip costs 1,200 yen for adults and 600 yen for children)
Homepage: http://tenguyama.ckk.chuo-bus.co.jp/en/

7. Asahikawa: Asahikawa Park, Located Right Next to the Zoo

Picture courtesy of Asahikawa City Park Green Society
Asahikawa Park can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways, from having a picnic in the spring to viewing the foliage in the fall. You can also see the cherry blossoms here. The park began with 1,000 cherry trees and is now home to 3,500 trees which dye the park in beautiful shades of pink.

Picture courtesy of Asahikawa City Park Green Society
The park is lit up at night, creating a magical effect with the cherry blossoms. Since it is right next to the Asahikawa Zoo, you can enjoy the lovely flowers and cute animals together.

Asahikawa Park

Address: Hokkaido, Asahikawa, Higashi-Asahikawa, Kuranuma Google Maps
Access: From stop #6 outside JR Asahikawa Station’s east exit, take the 41, 42 or 47 bus on the Asahikawa Zoo Line (40 minutes, 440 yen). Get off at the Asahikawa Zoo and walk for 15 minutes
Homepage: http://www.asahikawa-park.or.jp/park/special/asahiyama.html (Japanese)

Enjoy Hokkaido's Cherry Blossom Season

Visitors going to these Hokkaido cherry blossom viewing spots can take in the abundant nature and invigorating scenery. You’ll want to take a deep breath and revel in the beauty of the flowers.

To reach Hokkaido, use these convenient travel passes for international visitors: JR PASS and Hokkaido Rail Pass

Original writer: Mami Wakamatsu