Another hidden gem I found without meaning to is the scenic Hassamu Riverside Park in Hokkaido’s capital city of Sapporo!
It was my last day in Sapporo before heading back to the main island of Honshu. I decided to walk as far as I could and take a train back home at the end of the day.
What I didn’t know was the beauty I would inevitably stumble upon in the form of Hassamu Riverside Park! Located a few kilometers west of Sapporo’s central business district, the park sports beautiful rivers, trees, and snowy mountain views.
Love At First Sight?
With no expectation of seeing something so majestic on my last day in Sapporo, I headed out of my hostel at Lestel Maru early in the morning to get the most out of the day.
About an hour into my journey, the surrounding city buildings had subsided to reveal a piece of scenery I could only describe as a glimpse of paradise. Somehow, my natural reaction was just to laugh to myself (a bit psychotic I know), as I realized how true the saying was; “the best things in life are free.”
A Match Made In Heaven
Sakura (cherry blossom) trees, flowing rivers, and potent snowy mountains? This is a combination that I only imagine heaven looks like, but have never quite seen in real life.
Admittedly, I wasn’t in the optimal season to witness the cherry blossoms as they had started to die out, but there were enough pink petals remaining to satisfy my “ideal park” fantasy.
The Boulevard Of Unbroken Dreams
Walking along the footpath of Hassamu Park was one of my most memorable experiences in Sapporo, albeit could have been a lucky combination of the perfect weather that day too.
Every single person at this park was in high spirits, enjoying the beauty of God’s creations. Children chased each other in joy, parents smiled at the sight cheerfully, and the elderly happily enjoyed the perfection of the moment.
Personally, I found it to be the perfect opportunity to deeply reflect on how far I have come in life. I may not have achieved enormous wealth or career success, but each day I stepped closer to my ideal self, and that’s all that mattered in the end.
The Continuous Flow Of Time
Yes, I’m aware this has quickly turned into a philosophical post of deep contemplation, but I’m really in the mood for it so, it is what it is.
Seeing the rushing and gushing of the river reminded me of time’s eternal continuity, sparking feelings of letting go and embracing the moment as I walked along.
Well, that about wraps up my time at Hassamu Park, apologies if it was unnecessarily deep and reflective, but that’s just the kind of effect it had on me!
If you’re in Sapporo, be sure to check it out. You’ll either come out of it a better man as I have, or you’ll have some stunning new shots to add to your Japan photo album!
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