Missed Japan’s prime cherry blossom season in March and April? No worries—Hokkaido is perfect for those with packed schedules, as its cherry blossoms bloom in April and May. Today, travel expert Xiu has put together a special feature on seven must-visit cherry blossom spots in Hokkaido, covering everything from transportation to the best viewing periods. This guide will help you effortlessly enjoy Hokkaido’s cherry blossoms, immerse yourself in the beauty of falling petals, and embrace the joys of spring. Let’s take a look!
Matsumae Park
Best blooming period: Late April to mid-May
When it comes to cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, Matsumae Castle is a must-see. A quick search will instantly bring up Matsumae Park as a top destination for cherry blossom viewing in Hokkaido, often appearing in springtime photo spots. It’s also been recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. The park boasts over 10,000 cherry trees of more than 200 varieties, with the most unique being the Beni-yutaka cherry tree, which is over 300 years old and stands 18 meters tall. It waits all year just to bloom in its most beautiful form for you in spring. This cherry blossom season, bring your family and friends to admire this stunning scenery!
*Friendly reminder: Matsumae Park holds night cherry blossom light-up events during the blooming season, typically until around 9:00 PM. Don’t miss out!
?Transportation:Take the Hakodate Bus “Matsumae Line” from JR Kikonai Station and get off at Matsumaejo Station.
?Official Website:Matsumae Domain Yukihiro Bugyo (official site)
Goryokaku Park
Best blooming period: Late April to mid-May
This star-shaped icon is the symbol of Goryokaku Park. Once the battlefield of the Battle of Hakodate, it carries a somber history—but with 1,600 cherry trees adorning the grounds, it has become a healing cherry blossom destination. Night cherry blossom light-ups are usually held from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the evenings. It’s recommended to visit in the late afternoon to witness the park’s different faces under morning light, sunset hues, and glowing night blossoms.
*Friendly reminder: Curious how to capture that iconic aerial view of Goryokaku Park? Spend more time at the Goryokaku Tower to enjoy this spectacular sight!
?Transportation:From JR Hakodate Station, take the streetcar (bound for Yunokawa) and get off at Goryokaku Koen-mae Station.
Shin-Hidaka Town Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue
Best blooming period: Late April to early May
The cherry blossom tunnel along Shin-Hidaka Town’s Nijukken Road is famously beautiful, beloved by both locals and international visitors. This road, recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100, one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, and a Hokkaido Heritage site, features about 3,000 cherry trees blooming gloriously along its 7-kilometer stretch—creating a breathtaking view of endless blossoms that you can only experience here. And that’s not all—extending from this main road are dedicated pedestrian cherry blossom tunnels that are sure to max out your camera memory and make it hard to leave.
*Friendly reminder:
?An annual Cherry Blossom Meditation Festival is held in early May. For an authentic Japanese cherry blossom experience, plan your visit around this time.
?There are no night cherry blossom illuminations here, so it’s best to go in the morning.
?Transportation:From JR Shizunai Station, take the Nogyo-yado-bound bus and get off in front of Sakuragaoka Elementary School.
?Official Website:Shin-Hidaka Town Official Website
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building
Best cherry blossom viewing period: Early to mid-May
The Former Hokkaido Government Building is one of Hokkaido’s landmarks. Built in 1888 in the American neo-Baroque style using red bricks, it once served as the government office for Hokkaido and is now open to the public for exploring the region’s history. The scenery here varies beautifully across the seasons—cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant red leaves in autumn, and snow-covered landscapes in winter. I personally love spring the most; the blend of different shades of red is simply stunning, and taking photos inside feels like you’re in a movie poster.
*Tip: If you’d like to go inside and learn about Hokkaido’s history, note that the building is open from 8:45 AM to 6:00 PM.
?Transportation:About an 8–10 minute walk from Odori Station or Sapporo Station on the subway
Maruyama Park & Hokkaido Shrine
Best flower viewing period: Early to mid-May
Maruyama Park is a precious primeval forest located right in the heart of Sapporo, Hokkaido. If you’re visiting Hokkaido but don’t want to venture too far out of the city to see cherry blossoms, this is a great choice. Besides being a popular hanami spot, the park also features a lush forest with tall, historic cedar and enkianthus trees, as well as small animals roaming through the woods—making it a perfect place to enjoy spring.
Hokkaido Shrine is also located within Maruyama Park. As you walk uphill, you’ll see it. With over 1,000 cherry blossom trees in the shrine and the park, when they all bloom together and the spring breeze blows, it creates a "cherry blossom snow" effect that blends magnificently with the shrine—a truly breathtaking sight.
?Transportation:5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Maruyama Park Station on the Tōhō Line of the subway
Otaru Tegata Park
Best cherry blossom period: Early to mid-May
Most cherry blossom spots are usually found in mountains or inland areas, but it’s rare to find sea views alongside cherry blossoms. In Otaru, Hokkaido, you can make that dream come true. Sit in the park, enjoy a hanami picnic, and take in the ocean view while listening to the waves—it’s incredibly romantic. It’s also a great place to bring kids, with its spacious green lawns perfect for running around. In spring, it’s a favorite relaxation and recreation spot for locals in Otaru. To experience more of authentic Hokkaido life, consider adding this hanami destination to your itinerary.
?Transportation:From JR Otaru Station, take the Central Bus lines 3 or 33 and get off at Tegata Station.
?Official Website:Otaru Temiya Park
Seiryu-ji Temple
Best cherry blossom season: late May to early June
Finally, let us introduce to you the place in Japan where cherry blossoms bloom the latest. The blend of classic Japanese architecture and cherry blossoms has earned it the reputation as the most beautiful cherry blossom spot in eastern Japan, and the final stop of Japan’s cherry blossom journey. Seiryu-ji Temple in Nemuro City, Hokkaido, is home to the largest Ezo Yoshino cherry trees in the region. Though over 150 years old, they are not very tall—only about 2–3 meters high—which makes it even more immersive to be surrounded by their blossoms. A unique feature of the Ezo Yoshino is that the flowers start off pink and gradually turn white, along with their distinctive fragrance, which attracts many visitors eager to witness their beauty firsthand. If you're curious about the scent of cherry blossoms, this is the place to come.
? Transportation:10-minute walk from Nemuro Station on the JR Nemuro Main Line
Bonus: Bloom Forecast
The Japanese government typically begins releasing official cherry blossom forecasts around January. At that time, you can check the official Japanese weather map online to start planning your spring vacation. Based on past data, the northernmost part of Japan—Hokkaido—has a later cherry blossom season, usually from late April to mid-May. Don’t miss out this year—make sure to catch the blooms while you can.
That concludes our special feature on the top seven cherry blossom spots in Hokkaido, highlighting seven must-visit locations to enjoy the blossoms. Missed the season in March or April? No worries—Hokkaido still has blossoms in May. No more excuses—let’s go admire the cherry blossoms together and experience the charm of Hokkaido. One last reminder: when viewing cherry blossoms, look but don’t touch. Let’s all work together to protect them so these beautiful blossoms can continue to grace us year after year. Right?
Text by Katrina.C | Tripresso Travel Writers