1 The 76th Matsumae Sakura Festival will be held at Matsumae Castle, Hokkaido's best cherry blossom viewing spot (Matsumae Town)

Image source: Hokkaido Matsumae Tourism and Products Association

This popular event is held every year during the cherry blossom season at Matsumae Castle, a tourist spot representing southern Hokkaido. The contrast between the historic castle and the cherry blossoms is beautiful, and the castle is lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

Image source: Hokkaido Matsumae Tourism and Products Association

During the event, in addition to the cherry blossoms being lit up, there will be food stalls where you can enjoy various gourmet foods and shooting games, stage events, and a raffle for children. Be sure to also participate in the Sakura Stamp Rally, which is very popular every year.

2 Enjoy Akkeshi Town's specialty oysters and cherry blossoms at the 75th Akkeshi Cherry Blossom and Oyster Festival (Akkeshi Town)

Image source: Akkeshi Town

A festival where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the taste of Akkeshi Town's specialty products. Seafood is sold at the venue and grills are available for rent, so you can enjoy the delicious flavors that Akkeshi Town is proud of, such as oysters, to your heart's content along with the cherry blossoms.

Image source: Akkeshi Town

In addition to live music and dance performances, there will also be clam-catching activities for small children, making this an event the whole family can enjoy. At night, the cherry blossoms and Oyster Island Benten Shrine will be lit up, creating a different atmosphere from the daytime, so don't miss this night cherry blossom viewing.

3 The much talked about Sapporo Job Kita Kitahachi Theater opening performance "Acchi Kocchi Sato-san" (Sapporo City)

Image source: Tanaka Memorial Theatre Foundation

"Acchi Kocchi Sato-san" will be performed as the opening performance of Job Kita Kitahachi Theater, which will have its grand opening on May 11th. It is a representative work of Eleven Nine's founder Masahiro Naya, who has been appointed artistic director, and will feature a number of Hokkaido's most famous actors. The show is a long-running production with 30 performances from May to June. Tickets are also available with a commemorative hand towel, so it's a great way to commemorate the grand opening of Job Kita Hachi Theater and to enjoy a performance.

4 A yellow carpet of rape blossoms spreads across the ground at the Takikawa Rape Blossom Festival (Takikawa City)

Image source: Takikawa Tourism Association

The Takikawa Nanohana Festival is an event held when the nanohana flowers are in full bloom. The field, which boasts one of the largest cultivated areas in Japan, will be completely covered with the flowers like a yellow carpet. There will also be a Nanohana Taxi that will take you around the flower fields with a guide, and a Nanohana Bicycle Rental.

Image source: Takikawa Tourism Association

The special venue where you can enter the flower fields is very popular as a spot where you can take commemorative photos with the rape blossoms in full bloom. In addition, a gourmet festival will be held at the roadside station, where restaurants recommended by the tourist association will be lined up every week, and a food truck festival will also be held at the same time. *Please note that entry to any areas of the rapeseed fields other than the "Rape Flower Field Special Venue" is prohibited.

5 This year, the Tyrannosaurus Rex race will also be held at the 75th Morimachi Cherry Blossom Festival (Morimachi)

Image source: Morimachi

An event will be held in Morimachi, one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in southern Hokkaido, to liven up the cherry blossom viewing. In addition to singing shows, karaoke competitions, and shamisen and taiko performances, there will also be an exciting race called the Morimachi Banba Tournament and a "Tyranno Race" where participants will race in a Tyrannosaurus costume.

Image source: Morimachi

At the venue, Aobagaoka Park, there are about 1,000 cherry trees of 17 varieties, including Somei-Yoshino, and the endemic Morikomachi cherry tree is also in full bloom. At the fireworks display on the final day, you can enjoy the collaboration of many cherry trees and large fireworks that bloom in the night sky.

6 Trial flight and workshop held "Children's Day Special Event: Present of the Sky to Children!" (Takikawa City)

Image source: Takikawa Sky Park

Takikawa Sky Park is a facility in Takikawa, Hokkaido where you can experience flying gliders and other aircraft. To coincide with Children's Day on May 5th, events related to airplanes will be held, including a chance to try out a light aircraft.

Image source: Takikawa Sky Park

In addition to the light aircraft experience flight, there is also a styrene airplane class where parents and children can make styrene airplanes together. With simple assembly and adjustment, you can make your own airplane that flies well. Glider experience flights are also held on other days, so it is also a recommended spot for weekend outings.

7 Approximately 12,000 Ezoyama azalea trees turn red at the 44th Hiroo Azalea Festival (Hiroo Town)

Image source: Hiroo Town Tourism Association

This festival is held at Omaruyama Forest Park when the 12,000 or so Ezoyama azalea trees are in full bloom. The barbecue corner is open to the public free of charge, and you can buy seafood from Hiroo Town and grill and eat it on the spot.

Image source: Hiroo Town Tourism Association

There will also be seafood clam chowder for sale, performance events, and a children's candy giveaway, so you can enjoy both your heart and your stomach while admiring the azaleas.

8 A beautiful pink carpet spreads across the ground at the 40th Higashimokoto Shibazakura Festival (Ozora Town)

Image source: NPO Okhotsk Ozora Town Tourism Association

Shibazakura, or moss phlox, is a cherry blossom-like flower that spreads across the ground like grass, and is one of the flowers you can't miss in Hokkaido in the spring. Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park in Ozora Town, Hokkaido, is a popular spot to see these beautiful moss phlox. On a clear day, the endless blue sky and the magnificent view of the pink moss phlox hills are overwhelming.

Image source: NPO Okhotsk Ozora Town Tourism Association

The Higashimokoto Shibazakura Festival allows you to enjoy the cute pink moss phlox even more, with a variety of events including music stages, street performances, and character shows. This spring, be sure to check out the moss phlox blooming on the ground as well as the cherry blossoms blooming on the trees.

9 Three short plays from Hokkaido: "10th performance: 'Monkey, There, Come'" (Sapporo)

Image source: Pocket Kikaku

Pocket Kikaku, which operates under the theme of "pocket-sized theater," will perform the notable work "Saru Hito, Iru Hito, Kuru," which was selected as a finalist in two competitions. This time, the project will invite the Asahikawa City citizen theater group "Theater Group Siberia Base," and you can enjoy a total of three short plays, including two new works by Pocket Kikaku.

Image source: Pocket Kikaku

The theater group Siberia Base's "Yosugara" and Pocket Kikaku's "Fever" will also be performed at the same time. In addition, there will be an after-show talk where you can learn interesting stories about theater in Hokkaido and behind-the-scenes stories about its creation.

10 Piano and Marimba Collaboration "Emi Muramoto & Yu Sato Classic Tourism Vol.3 ~The End of the Classic~" (Eniwa City, Makubetsu Town)

Image source: Obihiro Mallet gANG

A classical concert by Eniwa City-based pianist Emi Muramoto and Tokachi-based marimbist Masaru Sato was held in Eniwa City and Makubetsu Town. The sometimes gentle and sometimes powerful tones echoed throughout the venue.

Image source: Obihiro Mallet gANG

With innovative arrangements for piano and marimba, a wide range of music will be performed, from familiar classics to contemporary pieces. This concert goes beyond the boundaries of traditional classical music and can be enjoyed by everyone from small children to adults.