It makes sense that this Hokkaido cherry blossom itinerary is one of the last such pieces I’m putting together about a region of Japan. Hokkaido, you see, is the last place in Japan where the famous flowers bloom each year.
And yet in spite of this timing, and the fact that many of Hokkaido’s sakura trees belong to species other than the iconic somei yoshino that predominates in the rest of Japan, Japan’s northernmost island is not some cherry blossom “consolation prize.” Far from it.
Indeed, just as being a late bloomer in your own life can pay serious dividends over the long-term, so too does Hokkaido’s own kaika (which can last well into May, depending on where you see it) benefit curious and adventurous travelers. Here’s how.
Why Hokkaido Gets Neglected as a Sakura Destination
Although I’ve come to love Hokkaido cherry blossoms, I can’t say that this was always the case. Because of this fact, I tend to give grace when others (most others, if I’m being honest) fail to recognize the island’s sakura greatness. The main factor is timing: Hokkaido’s cherry blossoms bloom between late April and mid-May; most travelers plan their cherry blossom trips between late March and mid-April, and can’t extend their travelers by weeks or months.
The peak of cherry blossoms in major Hokkaido cities like Sapporo and Hakodate also tends to take place during the Golden Week holiday, another strike against them. This period (which is a national holiday in Japan) sees much larger crowds than normal, and higher prices as a result. If this intimidates you, consider heading north to Wakkanai or east to Kushiro, where the flowers bloom much later.
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido
Goryokaku Fort, Hakodate
Hakodate is a huge city, and is home to a number of spots where you can enjoy hanami. However, one predominates above all. I’m talking, of course, about the star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, which you can enjoy either from ground level (there are literally hundreds of sakura trees) or from above at Goryokaku Tower.
Matsumae Castle, Matsumae
Another of my favorite places to see cherry blossoms in Hokkaido is located relatively close to Hakodate, in the town of Matsumae. While you can technically visit Matsumae Castle on a day trip from Hakodate, I usually like to rent a car to get here, so that I can stop en route and also, take my time once I arrive. This is a great cherry blossom spot because the variety of tree species means full bloom can last for weeks, or even up to a month!
Odori Park, Sapporo
The bad news? In spite of offering some amazing views (namely, of the Sapporo TV Tower), Odori Park in the center of Sapporo)isn’t necessarily a great spot for cherry blossoms. Still, it’s a great starting point for wandering around Hokkaido’s largest city if you happen to be here in spring, no matter what you happen to find on the sakura front.
Tenguyama Park, Otaru
If you have time for an excursion from Sapporo on your Hokkaido cherry blossom trip, I recommend heading to Otaru. The town center itself doesn’t have a huge concentration of cherry trees, but Tenguyama Park (which is accessible by bus from Otaru Station) does. In addition to the blossoms themselves, this mountain offers absolutely fabulous views of Otaru City and its waterfront below, making a jaunt up here even more worthwhile.
Hokkaido off the beaten path
Planning to be in Hokkaido further into May, and still want to see some awesome blossoms? Well, the further north and/or east you go, the latter the bloom takes place. For example, you could ride a train from Sapporo eastward to Kushiro or Abashiri. Fancy an even more exotic trip? Head to Wakkanai, the northernmost city in Japan, where you can go by ferry to the underrated islands Rishiri and/or Rebun and see sakura there.
When Do Hokkaido’s Cherry Blossoms Bloom?
As I mentioned earlier in this post, cherry blossoms in southern Hokkaido can reach full bloom as early as the last week of April. This is particularly the case at spots in Hakodate city (such as Goryokaku Fort), which tend to be the first Hokkaido cherry blossom spots to bloom. Nearby Matsumae can start blooming around this time as well, though the bloom there extends for weeks (sometimes up to a month) due to the disparate variety of species there.
The picture is more complicated in the rest of Hokkaido. Sapporo, for example, can see its flowers come into bloom within a day or two of Hokkaido’s; this can also be true in low-lying areas of central Hokkaido. However, heading much further north (i.e. to Wakkanai, Rihsiri or Rebun) or east (to Kushiro or Abashiri) can result in a later bloom, sometimes as late as the middle or even the end of May.
Other FAQ About Seeing Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido
Are there cherry blossoms in Hokkaido?
There are absolutely cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, though you should keep a few things in mind about them. First of all, that they bloom later than those on Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu islands, even in the far south of Hokkaido. Secondly, not all the sakura trees here are the somei yoshino variety you find elsewhere in Japan.
When do cherry blossoms reach peak bloom in Sapporo?
Cherry blossoms tend to reach peak bloom in Sapporo’s city center around May 1, though they can do so earlier or later, depending on the year. Additionally, if you take day trips from Sapporo to areas at higher elevation, you can expect a bloom that occurs days or even weeks later.
Is Hokkaido worth visiting in spring?
Hokkaido is absolutely worth visiting in spring! Even if you arrive too late for peak cherry blossoms, you can see other seasonal flowers like lilacs, tulips and wisteria. On the flip-side, early spring trips (so, mid- to late March) can mean that snow in still present at ski resorts in Niseko and Hirafu.
The Bottom Line
My Hokkaido cherry blossom itinerary is most useful if you already plan to be in Japan between the last week of April and the middle of May, but that’s not its only utility. For some travelers, the promise of unique and uncrowded sakura destinations is enough to change existing plans entirely, or make new ones. This is true not only if you’ve already been to far-out places like Kushiro and Wakkanai, or if you’ve never been there and want to seem them at their most beautiful and resplendent. Need personalized help putting your next Japan trip together? Whether or not that takes you all the way to Japan’s great, white (or, in this case, pink) north, consider hiring me to help!
