Hokkaido: 7 Magnificent Cherry Blossom Spots to Visit in 2024

See the Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido!

The allure of Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture in Japan, lies first and foremost in its natural beauty. As it is the coldest region in Japan, cherry blossoms start to bloom here up to a month later than the flowers in Tokyo, beginning in late April.

Being able to see the sakura trees in spacious, open locations is an experience that is unique to northern Japan. In this article, we introduce seven destinations in Hokkaido where you can relish the blooms yourself.

Cherry Blossom Season Forecast

Update: In 2024, Hokkaido's cherry blossoms are expected to reach full bloom around the following dates:
Sapporo: April 20
Hakodate: April 19
Asahikawa: April 28
Kushiro: May  7
*The dates will be updated as soon as new information is available.

Table of Contents

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 vast 1,880,000 square meters in size. It is surrounded by geometrically-shaped mountains, and has unique water fountains and playground equipment. World-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi designed the park based on the concept of a single sculpture.

Dotted with playground equipment and facilities inspired by modern art, the park is fun not just for children, but also for adults. Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, and water play areas and fountains open in the summer. You can see foliage in the fall, and go cross-country skiing or sledding in the snow-covered park in the winter. Moerenuma Park can be enjoyed in any season.

Picture courtesy of Pixta

In the cherry blossom forest, you can see roughly 1,900 trees blooming on 130,000 square meters of land. The forest has more than just cherry trees; there are also seven play areas hidden away in the forest. There are a total of 126 colorful equipment that will pique visitors' curiosities.

Picture courtesy of Pixta

To see the entirety of the park, we recommend going to Mt. Moere. The summit has an observatory where you can see the cherry blossom forest and all of Sapporo City. Since the mountain is 53 meters tall, you can reach the top in just ten minutes, making it an ideal destination even with children.

If you’re hungry after walking around, head to the park’s cultural facility, the Hidamari glass pyramid, which contains a French restaurant that uses fresh Hokkaido ingredients. The building also contains a sun-lit rest area, art gallery, and shops. At Moerenuma Park, you can immerse yourself in nature and the sun while you see the cherry blossoms with friends and children.

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

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
Homepage: http://www.furanotourism.com/en/spot/spot_D.php?id=420&kid1=1&kid2=7&kid3=24

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
This article, originally published on February 23, 2016, was updated for 2024.