Hokkaido's cherry blossom season arrives a bit later than the rest of Japan. But did you know there's a single cherry tree in the heart of Sapporo that, for some reason, always blooms early? While many other cherry trees are still budding, we bring you an early taste of spring in Sapporo.

The cherry tree on the sidewalk at Odori Nishi 1, Minami 1. You can tell it's in bloom even from a distance.

While Sapporo's cherry blossoms are just about to open, this solitary tree is capturing the attention of passersby.

Viewing the cherry tree from across Nishi 2-chome Street.

The location is in the area just south of Odori Park, near Odori Nishi 1, Minami 1. On the west sidewalk, where you'll find commercial facilities like Le Trois and Sapporo Chantez, an Ezo-yamazakura (Sargent's cherry) is in bloom. When we visited on April 16, it was about 50 to 60 percent in bloom. We saw people who had already noticed it stopping to point their smartphones and cameras at the tree.

In fact, this cherry tree is famous among those who frequent nearby facilities for blooming early every year.

The full-fledged cherry blossom season is about to arrive in Sapporo, and the city will soon be awash in the colors of spring. It's a seasonal change you might find on a simple street corner, but it's a sure sign that spring in Sapporo is just around the corner.