1 Hokkaido Shrine (Sapporo City) where you can enjoy both cherry blossoms and plum blossoms at the same time

At Hokkaido Shrine, you can enjoy the concert of about 1,400 cherry trees and about 250 plum trees that bloom almost simultaneously. The cherry trees in the shrine grounds were planted in 1875 to commemorate Shima Yoshitake, who is said to be the father of Hokkaido's development, and from around 1900, the shrine became a popular cherry blossom viewing spot for Sapporo residents. In addition to the plants, you may also see cute wild Hokkaido squirrels in the nature-filled grounds.

2 A classic cherry blossom viewing spot in Sapporo: Maruyama Park (Sapporo City)

Maruyama Park is home to a primeval forest that has been designated a natural monument, and has long been famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. Approximately 160 cherry trees, including Siberian cherries and Yoshino cherry trees, are planted in the park, and it is particularly crowded with cherry blossom viewers every year from late April to early May. It is a spot where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while sightseeing at the neighboring Maruyama Zoo and Hokkaido Shrine, or bring your own picnic lunch or food from the food stalls set up for a limited time.

3 Odori Park (Sapporo City): Refresh yourself under the cherry blossoms during your break from work

Odori Park is an oasis in the business district, surrounded by about 4,700 trees of 92 different species, including cherry blossoms, lilacs, and Japanese elms. Locals and tourists alike enjoy relaxing on the lawns and around the fountains. We recommend buying corn from the "Corn Wagon," a staple of Odori Park's summer scenery, and enjoying cherry blossom viewing while eating it on the go.

4 Nakajima Park (Sapporo City) - Enjoy the cherry blossoms while riding a boat

Nakajima Park is located in the center of the city, but is rich in nature, making it a truly relaxing space in the city. The scenery changes with each season, with cherry blossoms and wisteria flowers in the spring, lush greenery in the summer, and autumn leaves in the fall, making you want to visit again and again. At the Iris Pond in the park, you can enjoy waterfowl and seasonal scenery while taking a boat ride from late April to early October.

5 Cherry blossoms stand out against the brick building at the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Building) (Sapporo)

Although the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is located in the heart of the city, its beautiful gardens allow visitors to experience the four seasons. Each season offers a different view: cherry blossoms and lilacs in the spring, lush greenery and rose hips in the summer, and autumn leaves in the fall. It's also a popular photo spot, making it a place you'll want to visit again and again.

6 Asahiyama Memorial Park (Sapporo City) where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while looking out over the Sapporo cityscape

From the observation deck located at an altitude of 137.5m in Asahiyama Memorial Park, you can get a panoramic view of the Ishikari Plain, the Sea of Japan, and Sapporo city along with the cherry blossoms. At night, the illuminated fountain and the lights of the office buildings in central Sapporo below create a fantastic view, making it famous as a romantic night view spot. There are also plenty of play equipment, so parents and children can enjoy it during the day.

7 Senkoen (Ebetsu City), a famous cherry blossom spot that is as beautiful as its cultural assets

Senkoen, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, is the former residence of Sekiya Magozaemon, who contributed greatly to the development of Ebetsu. In spring, many visitors flock to the area to enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom, and the area has been designated a cultural asset of the city.

8 Relax with the sound of the babbling river and the beautiful cherry blossoms at Meisui Fureai Park (Chitose City)

There is a walking path along the Uchibetsu River in Meisui Fureai Park, where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and get in touch with nature. The park was developed to commemorate the selection of the Naibetsu River spring, which is used for tap water for the city, as one of the "100 Famous Waters," and the spout of the Naibetsu River spring has been reproduced.

9 The cherry blossom trees that decorate the area during the peak of herring fishing season at the "Former Yoichi Fukuhara Fishing Grounds (Yoichi Town)"

The former Yoichi Fukuhara fishing grounds are a valuable nationally designated cultural asset that conveys the prosperity of herring fishing at its peak, and were the model for the interior of the Herring Palace in the NHK morning drama series "Massan." While learning about the layout and role of each building, you can also get a sense of how prosperous it was at the time. There are also cherry trees on the spacious grounds, so you can enjoy flower viewing in the spring.

10 Manjitanzan Forest Park (Iwamizawa City): A gorgeous landscape of cherry blossoms and greenery

Many different kinds of trees are planted within the grounds of Manjitanzan Forest Park. In spring, you'll be enveloped in the gentle scent of cherry blossoms, and in autumn, the trees turn red, creating a beautiful landscape. The park is also famous for its 2,468 steps, including 775 straight steps, making it a popular walking spot.

11 Kuriyama Park (Kuriyama Town): A place where you can interact with animals while surrounded by a tunnel of cherry blossoms

Kuriyama Park, the most famous cherry blossom spot in Kuriyama Town, is crowded with people who come to see the cherry blossoms in early May when about 300 cherry trees in the park bloom all at once. The park has a friendly zoo, playground equipment, a barbecue area, hiking trails, and other places where the whole family can relax.