This summer, take your family to Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park in Hokkaido for a cool vacation.

When you pack away your sweaters, pull out your shorts and T-shirts, stockings and skirts, summer is rapidly approaching... Have you figured out how to stay cool during those long stretches of 30°C+ weather? Here’s a great all-family summer travel spot we recommend for you.

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park – A popular summer escape in Hokkaido, Japan:

Unlike the more cramped impressions of other regions in Japan, vast Hokkaido boasts expansive parks covered in lush greenery and flower fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. Refreshing blossoms and cool breezes whisk away the noise and heat of the city, immersing visitors in Hokkaido’s serene and tranquil nature.

From July to August, a variety of flowering plants take turns putting on a show—lavender, sunflowers, meconopsis, allium giganteum, nepeta, hydrangeas, and queen anne’s lace, among others—plus the “Milky Way Garden” blanketed with scarlet sage and marigolds. Here's the park’s seasonal flower viewing guide:

In addition to flowers, Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park also has numerous entertainment facilities for children and summer activities for all ages, making it especially ideal for a family summer retreat.

[Kids’ Valley]

The “Ant Nest Tower,” soaring 18 meters above ground, the underground “Ant Nest Tunnel,” along with the “Lava Slide,” “Wandering Cavern,” and “Fluffy Dome Trampoline”… Laughter fills the air throughout Kids’ Valley.

(Fluffy Dome Trampoline)

[Bouncing Wonder]

On well-maintained lawns and with cool, floral-scented breezes, your mood will completely relax. Both kids and adults can “ride” the bouncy spheres down gentle slopes or just enjoy the addictive bounce right where they are. Just looking at the photos, you can almost hear the family laughter already.

[Grassland BBQ]

There are four designated barbecue spots within the park. Bring your own ingredients and grilling gear, and you’re all set to BBQ on the grass. Delicious Hokkaido ingredients fill the air with mouthwatering aromas: fresh corn, buttery potatoes, buttered asparagus, plus a platter of chicken skewers, pork skewers, lamb skewers, and of course, the giant scallops of Hokkaido.

Barbecue areas offer free-use pavilions, running water, sinks, log stools, ash collection bins, and bricks for setting up grills.

[Camping]

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park was the first among Japan’s national parks to open an auto camping site and has been awarded the highest five-star certification from the Japan Auto Camping Association. Reservations are required at least one week in advance, and payment via Alipay and WeChat Pay is accepted.

If you can rent or charter a car in Hokkaido, why not spend a night here and enjoy the starry summer skies of Hokkaido?

[Summer Limited Menu]

Several rest areas within the park offer food services—including must-tries like Takino Ramen, Takino Curry, and Takino Mongolian BBQ—but don’t miss the summer limited offerings such as the condensed milk shaved ice at Kids’ Valley Rest Area or the Japanese-style cold noodles at the East Entrance Rest Area.

Here’s some basic information that may help you with your trip planning.

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park

Official Website:http://www.takinopark.com/

Area:Approximately 4 million pyeong, or 6,000 mu

Address:247 Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan (Noan 247)

Transportation:Take the Namboku Subway Line to "Makomanai" and transfer to the Chuo Bus Takino Line “Maishin 106” to get off at "Suzuran Park East Entrance"

Or take the Toho Subway Line to "Fukuzumi" and transfer to the Chuo Bus Aromi Line “Fuku 87” to get off at "Suzuran Park East Entrance"

    Bus Schedule:

Business Hours:The park is closed from April 1 to April 19, and from November 11 to December 22.

Admission Fee:Free for those under 15 years old, 450 yen for 15 years and above, 210 yen for those 65 and over.

Free Admission Days in 2019:

May 1 (Ceremony Commemorating the Accession of the Crown Prince)

May 4 (Greenery Day)

June 2 (Spring Urban Greening Promotion Campaign)

September 8 (Autumn Urban Greening Month)

September 16 (Respect for the Aged Day, free for those 65 and over)

September 29 (Autumn Urban Greening Month)

December 23 to March 31 of the following year (free admission during the winter opening period)

Parking Fee:1,230 yen for large vehicles such as buses, 410 yen for regular cars, 150 yen for two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles

On the same day, you may move freely between parking lots within the park with your parking ticket and only pay the parking fee once.