Cherry blossom viewing is a way to enjoy Hokkaido's short spring. Even in this simple cherry blossom viewing, many aspects of Hokkaido's character are revealed. In this article, we will introduce some "Hokkaido things" that you can experience at a cherry blossom viewing party.

1. Cherry blossom viewing is not just about the cherry blossoms

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Hokkaido is often in May, and plum blossoms, azaleas, and moss pinks also come into bloom at the same time or around the same time. Therefore, in Hokkaido, flower viewing is not limited to just cherry blossoms. Being able to see them all at the same time can be a bargain.

2. High rate of hors d'oeuvres!

Hokkaido residents love hors d'oeuvres. They are prepared dishes with a variety of dishes served on a round plate, including side dishes and snacks to go with alcohol. Hors d'oeuvres are deeply rooted in Hokkaido, and they are almost always served when people gather together to celebrate something, such as birthdays, New Year's holidays, or Christmas.

When Hokkaido residents gather for a cherry blossom viewing party, they tend to eat hors d'oeuvres together and have a good time, rather than making individual cherry blossom viewing bentos for each person!

3. I see them enjoying cherry blossom viewing at a nearby park.

Hokkaido has many famous cherry blossom viewing spots, but there are also many areas in Hokkaido where there are no famous cherry blossom viewing spots. As expected, you can't drive a long distance to see the cherry blossoms. As a result, many people enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a nearby park where the flowers are in bloom.

4. Have a BBQ even if it's cold

Hokkaido residents enjoy BBQ even when it's cold. No matter how cold it is, even if they're shivering, they still enjoy themselves with enthusiasm. To those outside of Hokkaido, this behavior may seem meaningless, but Hokkaido's cherry blossoms fall in an instant due to the cold. If you miss this season, there will be no next time. Enjoying cherry blossom viewing while staying warm with a BBQ is the Hokkaido way.

By the way, depending on the region, there are those who prefer Genghis Khan and those who prefer Yakiniku, and meat eaten outside is really delicious!

5. Cherry blossom viewing is a "Golden Week leisure activity"

Cherry blossom viewing season in Hokkaido is around Golden Week. For this reason, many Hokkaido residents consider cherry blossom viewing one of their Golden Week leisure activities. However, it is not the main thing people do, and most people consider cherry blossom viewing to be something they do while they are doing something else.

6. Use a small chair instead of a picnic blanket

Spring is a season with large daily temperature differences, so the picnic sheet can get soaked with water droplets. People often eat Genghis Khan or yakiniku during cherry blossom viewing, so it's inconvenient to sit on a picnic sheet. Since most people travel by car, the Hokkaido resident thinks it's no problem even if they have a lot of luggage.

The secret to Hokkaido-style cherry blossom viewing is to make the most of the short spring!

Hokkaido has a four season season of six months, and the remaining six months are spent in winter, with the three seasons passing by at high speed. Depending on the weather, the best time to see cherry blossoms can be over in a day, but when spring arrives, people enjoy it to the fullest. Enjoy cherry blossom viewing to your heart's content!

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.