Cherry blossom viewing is a great way to enjoy the short spring season in Hokkaido. Even just one such event often reveals Hokkaido's unique character as a people of Hokkaido. In this issue, we will introduce some of the "Hokkaido's Aruka" stories about cherry blossom viewing.

Hanami = not only cherry blossoms

Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido are often at their best in May, and plum blossoms, azaleas, and shiba-zakura are also at or near their best at the same time. Therefore, hanami that is not limited to "cherry blossoms" in particular is the Hokkaido way. Being able to see them at the same time can be a bargain.

2. Hors d'oeuvre ratio is high!

Hors d'oeuvre is a favorite of Hokkaido residents. A round plate is filled with side dishes and snacks, allowing you to enjoy several different dishes in one dish. Hors d'oeuvre culture is deeply rooted in Hokkaido, and they are a staple at birthdays, New Year's holidays, Christmas, and other celebrations and gatherings.

If you are viewing cherry blossoms with other Hokkaido residents, you are more likely to find everyone eating together with hors d'oeuvres rather than individual hanami bento boxes for each person!

3. You can see people viewing cherry blossoms in a nearby park.

There are a number of "cherry blossom viewing spots" in Hokkaido, but there are also many areas in Hokkaido where there are no cherry blossom viewing spots to begin with. As one would expect, it is not possible to drive for a long time to view cherry blossoms. As a result, many people go to nearby parks where flowers are in bloom to view the cherry blossoms.

4. BBQ without regard to cold weather

People in the province enjoy BBQ even in the cold. No matter how cold it is, they enjoy BBQ with spirit even if they are shivering. This may seem strange to people outside of Hokkaido, but Hokkaido's cherry blossoms fall in the blink of an eye due to the cold. Enjoying cherry blossoms while warming up with BBQ is the Hokkaido way of cherry blossom viewing.

Depending on the area, there are two types of BBQ: Genghis Khan and Yakiniku, and the meat eaten outside is very tasty!

Cherry blossom viewing is a "Golden Week leisure activity

The cherry blossom viewing season in Hokkaido is around Golden Week. Many Hokkaido residents consider cherry blossom viewing as one of their leisure activities during the Golden Week holidays. However, many people in Hokkaido seem to take the stance of "cherry blossom viewing as a side trip" rather than cherry blossom viewing as the main activity.

Use small chairs instead of leisure seats

Spring is also the season when the temperature varies greatly from one day to the next, so leisure sheets can get water droplets on them and become soggy. At cherry blossom viewing, people often eat Genghis Khan or barbeque, so it is more inconvenient to sit on a leisure sheet. Since it is a basic car, it is a roadside thinking that it does not matter if you have a lot of luggage.

Enjoying the short spring to the fullest is the essence of Hanami in Hokkaido style!

The four seasons in Hokkaido are as follows: winter is six months long, and in the remaining six months, three seasons seem to pass by at high speed in this region. Depending on the weather, the cherry blossom viewing season may last only a day, and when spring arrives, we do our best to enjoy spring to the fullest. Please enjoy cherry blossom viewing as much as you can!

*Image is for reference only.