Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossom viewing spots in Hokkaido
Cherry blossoms seen in Hokkaido
Cherry blossoms （late April to mid-May）
Cherry blossoms are one of the most famous flowers in Japan. Because of their transience, many people go to see cherry blossoms during this season.
Shiba-zakura / Japanese white cherry（mid-May to mid-June）
The shibazakura is often planted in parks and gardens because it is resistant to cold and easy to propagate. The pink and white blossoms that cover the ground as if it were a lawn are a spectacular sight.
New Chitose Airport Area
Recommended Accommodations and Souvenirs for Cherry Blossom Sightseeing
Hakodate Airport Area
Recommended Accommodations, Restaurants, and Sightseeing for Cherry Blossom Sightseeing
Asahikawa Airport Area
Obihiro Airport Area
Recommended Accommodations for Cherry Blossom Sightseeing
Memambetsu Airport Area
Recommended Accommodations and Sightseeing for Cherry Blossom Sightseeing
Hanami Gourmet
Eat at Hanami! Limited Soft Ice Cream
- Mori: Nozawa Shoten “Sakura Soft Ice Cream” at Aobagaoka Park
- Hakodate: “Hakodate Sakura Soft” at Goryokaku Tower
- Hakodate: Goryokaku Park: Hakodate Magistrate’s Office Resting Place Itakura Yanagino “Sakura Soft”
- Higashimokoto: “Shibazakura Soft Ice Cream” at Higashimokoto Shiba-zakura Park
- Sapporo: Hiraoka Ume Festival Hiraoka Ume Honpo “Ume Soft Ice Cream”
Jingisukan (Genghis Khan) is the standard style
Hanami in Hokkaido is the standard style of hanami around Narikishikan. Some parks allow the use of fireplaces, and you can enjoy jingisukan without a fireplace or stove, but since the mornings and evenings are chilly from late April to early May, you may need a down coat to view the cherry blossoms at night.
Parks where firearms are allowed during hanami season: Maruyama Park, Sapporo; Goryokaku Park, Hakodate; Asahiyama Park, Asahikawa; Midorigaoka Park, Obihiro.
Souvenirs you can buy at the Hokkaido Shrine while cherry blossom viewing
- Ume wine “Jingu no Ume” made from plums grown on the grounds of Hokkaido Jingu Shrine
- Cherry blossom tea made from Hokkaido Jingu’s hairy body
- Rokkatei “Hankan-san” grilled rice cake, available only at the Jingu Jaya Store
Limited-time-only souvenirs available at airports and souvenir stores
- Romance Confectionery: Sakuram Soft Chandy (January to May)
- Ishiya Confectionery: Mifuyu Sakura
- Lloyds: Sakura Sweets
- Roadside Station YOU-Yu-Mori: Ika-meshi (squid rice), Sakura Yokan (cherry blossom jelly)
Sakura Mochi in Hokkaido
Hokkaido’s sakura mochi is “Domyoji”, the same as in Kansai. The mochi has a soft and chewy texture with a filling of sweet red bean paste and the right amount of salt from the sakura leaves. It is usually eaten around March, but recently it is sold in supermarkets all year round, so if you see it, please try it with your cherry blossom viewing.