As Japan’s cherry blossoms start to wither away on Kyushu and Honshu islands, their life cycle has just begun in Hokkaido!
Spring is typically delayed in Hokkaido as a result of its vastly colder climate compared to central and southern Japan. As such, cherry blossoms typically don’t bloom until the beginning of May, lasting through to mid-May before they start withering away.
Beautiful Plum Blossoms at Odori Park
Odori Park is typically known for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival where the streets are filled with beautiful snow and ice sculptures and the weather is absolutely freezing! As May approaches, Sapporo starts to warm up significantly, though it never reaches the level of humidity and sweat-inducing temperatures as the Kansai region.
Severely Underrated Hanami Spots!
Hokkaido is an absolute haven of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots. Perhaps the reason they’re so underrated is because of the constant emphasis put on the region’s summer flower fields. For example, this stunning cherry blossom spot is known as Horomitoge Lavender Garden in the heart of Sapporo. Despite its name which describes the lavender fields in summer, you can also see amazing cherry blossom trees during late spring. It’s awesome the way the bright pink petals frame Sapporo’s city skyline!
Another popular spot is Maruyama Park in Sapporo (not to be confused with Maruyama Park in Kyoto!).
Oddly enough, both Maruyama Parks are known for their beautiful cherry blossom trees in the spring, though they bloom at different times of the season.
As one of the most “seasonal parks” in Japan, you’ll find accurate reflections of each season here – snow in the winter, golden leaves in the autumn, and cherry blossoms in the spring!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!