Four Must-See Cherry Blossom Spots in Hokkaido: The Star-Shaped Sakura Sea of Goryokaku

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Department
 
Cherry blossoms are one of Japan’s most celebrated flowers, and in Hokkaido they typically bloom from April to May. People enjoy sitting leisurely under the cherry trees or having picnics with family and friends, admiring the blossoms in their favorite way. Among these spots, Goryokaku Park and the Twenty-Meter Road Cherry Blossom Avenue are ideal places for cherry blossom viewing, which visitors shouldn’t miss.

● Goryokaku Park
Goryokaku is a uniquely shaped star-shaped fortress and the site of the last battle (the Battle of Hakodate, 1868–1869) where supporters of the shogunate resisted the imperial army during the Meiji Restoration, making it an important site in Japan’s modern history. The park is densely planted with cherry trees, and when they bloom in spring, it becomes a widely renowned cherry blossom destination. The main variety is the Yoshino cherry, and during the cherry blossom festival, about 1,600 cherry trees bloom along the star-shaped fortress. In addition to strolling through the park and enjoying the blossoms, you can also visit the Goryokaku Tower nearby and admire the entire star-shaped “Goryokaku Ruins” from above, surrounded by pink cherry blossoms.

● Twenty-Meter Road Cherry Blossom Avenue
The “Twenty-Meter Road Cherry Blossom Avenue,” where 36-meter-wide cherry trees stretch continuously for 7 kilometers, is one of Japan’s premier cherry blossom spots. The rows of cherry blossoms come straight toward you, creating a spectacular sight. The scenery of the Twenty-Meter Road Cherry Blossom Avenue has also been selected for the “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots” and “100 Best Japanese Roads.”