By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Cherry blossom season is one of Japan’s most celebrated tourism events. As spring approaches and the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, many travelers are already planning their hanami trips or winter excursions to Hokkaido’s snow festivals. Since launching the “Taipei-Sapporo” route, Scoot has been offering travelers affordable and comfortable trips to Hokkaido, helping to reduce travel costs. This time, they’re introducing flight + hotel packages starting from just $4,249 (available from now until 1/26), covering five major travel destinations: Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Seoul, and Singapore. Travel enthusiasts, don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
Ueno Park. (Image source: ueno.sakuramor)
For those seeking the chill of winter in a snowy wonderland, a 3-day, 2-night round-trip Sapporo journey starts at just $12,138. Enjoy stunning ice sculptures and the thrill of playing in the snow, then retreat to the riverside Sapporo Shiroi Koibito Hotel Premier for a cozy stay in a retro-style space—just a 10-minute drive from Tanukikoji, Hokkaido’s largest shopping district. Travel operators have also compiled highlights and introductions for the three main festival venues:
|
Snow Festival Venues |
Dates |
Locations |
Feature Highlights |
|
Odori Park Venue |
From February 6 (Mon), 2017 To February 12 (Sun), 2017 (Nighttime lighting until 10 PM) |
Odori Park West 1-chome to 12-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo City |
Located in the heart of Sapporo’s Odori Park, this venue showcases magnificent artworks carved from snow and ice by talented sculptors, making the Sapporo Snow Festival a truly captivating experience. |
|
Tsudome Venue |
From February 1 (Wed), 2017 To February 12 (Sun), 2017 9 AM to 5 PM (Some areas open until 4 PM) |
885-1, Sakae-cho, Higashi Ward, Sapporo City Sapporo Sports Complex (Divided into outdoor and indoor sections) |
Designed for both adults and children to enjoy Hokkaido’s snowy outdoors, this venue features a variety of snow-themed play equipment such as slides and sleds. |
|
Susukino Venue |
From February 6 (Mon), 2017 To February 12 (Sun), 2017 (Nighttime lighting until 11 PM) (Final day lights out at 10 PM) |
The west 4-chome line (Station-front Street) city road from South 4-chome Dori to South 7-chome Dori in Sapporo City |
Featuring fantastic ice sculptures such as those displaying king crabs and salmon sashimi frozen in ice blocks, as well as works created by participants of the ice sculpture competition |
Ueno Park has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots and is a prime area for cherry blossom viewing. (Image provided by Expedia)
Travelers who love cherry blossoms can visit regions such as Tokyo and Osaka in Japan from mid-February to early April, all of which are part of Japan’s 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots. Follow the cherry blossom front from Kanto to Kansai, with Tokyo 2-day-1-night flight and hotel packages starting from just $4,249. For those who enjoy shopping and indulging, choose to stay at the luxurious icon of central Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, located in the bustling shopping district of Shinjuku — a top choice for Japan enthusiasts. Additionally, Osaka 3-day-2-night flight and hotel packages start from just $4,789 per person.
A new must-visit spot for cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo: “Nakameguro.” (Image provided by Expedia)
|
Tourist cities |
Region |
Attraction name |
Attraction features |
|
Tokyo Metropolis |
Shinjuku Ward |
Shinjuku Gyoen |
Shinjuku Gyoen boasts up to 70 varieties of cherry blossoms, resulting in a longer blooming period, making it the top recommended spot for cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo. |
|
Taito Ward |
Ueno Park |
Ueno Park is Japan’s first public park, covering approximately 530,000 square meters. It has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots, attracting large numbers of flower-viewing tourists. |
|
|
Osaka Prefecture |
Osaka City |
Osaka Castle Park |
Covering a vast area of 106.7 hectares, Osaka Castle Park features the Nishinomaru Garden adorned with around 600 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, whose ever-changing scenery throughout the seasons captivates visitors. |
|
Nara Prefecture |
Nara City |
Nara Park |
In addition to enjoying cherry blossoms, the park also offers interactions with nearly 1,200 deer, making it a key attraction for Nara sightseeing. |
|
Kyoto Prefecture |
Kyoto City |
Arashiyama |
Since the Heian Period, Arashiyama has been home to many noble villas and frequently appears in historical tales and classical literature. It is renowned for cherry blossom and maple leaf viewing. |
In addition to departures to Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo through June, the travel company also offers exclusive Scoot solo flight and hotel packages for Seoul and Singapore starting from just $4,490 (valid for departures before the end of May 2017).