The delicate pastel-pink petals and cascading curtains of sakura you see on social media are breathtaking — but fleeting. In reality, sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms, last only about two weeks. Arriving even slightly late might mean missing the peak blooms and seeing only glimpses of fallen petals and already-verdant branches.
However, if your travel dates don’t align with the sakura season elsewhere in Japan, Hokkaido offers a second chance. As Japan’s northernmost region, this snow-laden prefecture experiences a later spring, delaying cherry blossom season and making it an ideal destination for late-season hanami (cherry blossom viewing).
Want to know when and where you can see sakura in Hokkaido? This guide takes you through the best spots, including Maruyama Park in Sapporo and Hakodate Park.
Sakura Exclusives: FREE E-Book & Premium Cooking Box!
Our Sakura 2025 campaign is running from February 1 to April 30, 2025, and you can get exclusive cherry blossom-themed treats!
Book a restaurant or food tour through us and you'll unlock a free e-book packed with tips for the cherry blossom season.
You'll also be entered into an exclusive prize draw to win a premium Japanese cooking kit, complete with kitchen essentials and a cookbook.
Pro tip: Leave a review after your meal or experience and you'll get a second chance to win!
Get sakura season offers and explore cherry blossom tours!
When does sakura bloom in Hokkaido?
As the northernmost region in Japan, where the winter is the coldest and snow lasts from November to early May, Hokkaido has its cherry blossoms bloom later than in other parts of Japan, typically from late April to mid-May.
In fact, Hokkaido is the final destination for cherry blossom season in Honshu, Japan’s main island (home to major cities like Tokyo and Osaka), with peak bloom occurring in early May and lasting until mid-May.
However, bloom times vary each year depending on weather conditions, so checking the latest cherry blossom forecast is essential to make sure you don’t arrive too early — or too late — for hanami.
Tip: While it may technically be spring, Hokkaido remains chilly. The average temperature in April is just 7°C, rising to around 12°C in May. Mornings and evenings can be especially cold, so don’t forget to pack a jacket — it's definitely not the season for summer dresses and shorts!
Find out more: Best things to do in Hokkaido
Best places to see sakura in Hokkaido
1. Goryokaku Park in Hakodate
If you look at an aerial view of Hakodate’s Goryokaku Park, you’ll notice its distinctive star-shaped design, surrounded by a moat. Originally built in 1855 as a fort to defend Hokkaido, this architectural marvel later became the site of a pivotal civil war battle between the shogunate and imperial forces.
By the 1910s, it was transformed into a public park and is now one of Hokkaido’s most renowned cherry blossom viewing spots.
Every late April, approximately 1,600 Yoshino cherry trees planted along the park’s star-shaped landscape burst into full bloom, turning the landscape into a breathtaking pink haze. The park’s unique layout provides numerous vantage points.
The cherry blossoms drape over the moat and blanket the ridges of the fort. As the petals drift on the air — a phenomenon known as hanafubuki (flower blizzard) and settle on the water, they create a breathtakingly romantic scene.
The park is also stunning at night when visitors can stroll under illuminated trees and hundreds of red and white lanterns.
Fun fact: While hanami in most parts of Japan involves picnicking under cherry blossom trees with beer and snacks (like sakura-themed sweets), Hokkaido locals take a different approach — enjoying jingisukan, a regional specialty of lamb and mutton grilled on a convex-shaped skillet.
You can even get a jingisukan meal plan at Goryokaku Park.
Find out more: Best Sakura Parks in Japan
2. Noboribetsu Road in Noboribetsu Onsen
Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido’s most famous onsen towns, renowned for its naturally occurring hot springs. But in spring, travelers have even more reasons to visit beyond indulging in a warm, rejuvenating bath.
Lining the 8-kilometer road from Noboribetsu Station to Noboribetsu Onsen are approximately 2,000 Ezoyama cherry trees planted by locals in the 1930s to commemorate the birth of the then-Crown Prince.
When in full bloom, these trees form a breathtaking cherry blossom tunnel, creating a stunning welcome for visitors heading to the hot spring town.
Unlike the more common Somei Yoshino cherry trees found in Japan’s major cities, Ezoyama sakura is more dominant in Hokkaido. Its petals are a deeper pink, making the sakura tunnel scenery even more vivid. It’s a long, winding road, best enjoyed as a scenic drive. We recommend renting a car to take this picturesque journey.
3. Matsumae Park in Matsumae
Matsumae, an idyllic town located in Oshima Subprefecture, is home to Matsumae Park, which was once the castle grounds of Matsumae Castle. The park spans around 250,000 square meters, housing the castle, temples, the clan mansion and the Sakura-mi Honen botanical garden.
Known as the "Little Kyoto of the North" due to its resemblance to Teramachi in Kyoto, Matsumae Park is home to over 10,000 cherry trees representing more than 250 species. Visitors have a full month to enjoy the cherry blossoms, from the end of April to the end of May, due to the sheer variety of cherry blossoms.
You can find double-blossom trees and late-blooming chrysanthemum cherry blossoms, each featuring over 200 petals on a single stem. If you can’t find them, head to the botanical garden, which contains information and samples of 100 different tree species.
The Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival takes place during the full bloom period, offering visitors a chance to experience a variety of fun events. Highlights include a march of armor-clad warriors, performances of local folk entertainment and numerous shops selling Matsumae regional foods.
Find out more: Types of Cherry Blossoms
4. Moerenuma Park in Sapporo
A large park on the outskirts of Sapporo surrounded by marshlands, Moerenuma Park is more of an architectural marvel than a traditional cherry blossom park.
The 188-hectare site was the posthumous project of American-Japanese sculptor and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi, who designed 20 pieces of playground equipment and planted about 3,000 cherry trees throughout the park. The name "Moerenuma" comes from the Ainu word "Moyre pet," meaning "a slowly flowing river."
At the park’s eastern entrance stands a towering glass pyramid, affectionately nicknamed Hidamari (Sunny Spot). The park's most popular cherry blossom viewing spot is the Sakura Forest, a dense grove of 1,800 cherry trees, predominantly Ezoyama sakura, Kasumi sakura and Chishima sakura, which bloom from late April to mid-May.
In the park's easternmost region are designated playgrounds for children, while a Sea Fountain in the middle of the park shoots water 25 meters into the air during daily shows from late April to mid-October.
The park is expansive, so renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the entire site. Moerenuma Park is located on the east side of Sapporo, about a 30-minute drive from downtown.
5. Temiya Park in Otaru
As the fourth-oldest existing urban park in Hokkaido, Temiya Park boasts around 700 cherry blossom trees, including Ezoyama sakura and Somei Yoshino varieties.
A scenic running path winds through the botanical garden and ascends to the park's main viewpoint. The track makes it an ideal spot for both nature lovers and running enthusiasts to enjoy the cherry blossoms on the move. Be aware that the path is hilly.
Plus, Otaru's proximity to the harbor means the temperature can be cooler than typical fresh spring runs, so bring the right shoes and fleece-lined tights.
6. Nijukken Road in Shinhidaka
Stretching over seven kilometers, the straight road of Nijukken Road is lined with rows of cherry blossom trees, creating the illusion of an endless pathway. It's no surprise that this picturesque route is officially recognized as one of Japan’s Best 100 Roads.
Located in Shinhidaka Town, about a 1.5-hour drive from New Chitose Airport, the road was originally built in 1903 to provide direct access for members of the imperial family to visit the imperial stock farm.
The road’s 2,200 cherry blossom trees were carefully transplanted from nearby mountains over a three-year period, beginning in 1916. The name “Nijukken” comes from the road’s width — 20 ken (a traditional unit of measurement), equivalent to about 36 meters.
It’s a long road, so we recommend taking the time to park your car and stroll along the pedestrian lane. You’ll find a narrow gravel path known as the Flower Tunnel, where cherry blossoms arch overhead, creating a breathtaking canopy. Along the way, you’ll pass a monument commemorating its designation as Hokkaido Heritage, set to be installed soon.
7. Hokkaido Shrine in Sapporo
The best place to see cherry blossoms in Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital, isn’t a park — it’s a shrine. Located next to Maruyama Park, Hokkaido Shrine is home to around 1,400 cherry trees, including Ezoyama, Yoshino cherry and Yaezakura. For comparison, Odori Park, the city’s central green space, has only about 50 sakura trees.
Beyond cherry blossoms, the shrine also features a plum grove with 250 white and red plum trees. While in Honshu, plums typically bloom from February to April and cherry blossoms from March to April, in Sapporo, both bloom at the same time.
This makes Hokkaido Shrine one of the rare spots where you can enjoy sakura and plum blossoms side by side!
Find out more: Places to See Plum Blossoms in Japan
8. Asahiyama Memorial Park
In the eastern part of Asahikawa, a major city in central Hokkaido, lies Asahiyama Park at the foot of Mt. Asahi. This 295-meter-high park is home to around 3,500 Ezoyama cherry blossom trees, a wild species native to Hokkaido, which reach full bloom in early May.
Originally built in 1970 to commemorate Sapporo City's 100th anniversary, the park offers stunning panoramic views from its observation platform, overlooking the Ishikari Plain, the Sea of Japan and the city of Sapporo.
During the Night Cherry Blossom Festival, the illuminated trees create a magical contrast against the deep night sky. And since the park is right next to the popular Asahiyama Zoo, it’s a favorite hanami spot for families visiting during sakura season in Hokkaido.
9. Asahigaoka Park
A lesser-known park in Furano, often overshadowed by the city’s famous lavender fields, Asahigaoka Park is actually designated as one of Japan’s Top 100 Scenic Spots. From its elevated vantage point, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Furano Basin and the Tokachidake mountain range.
In spring, the park comes alive with around 3,000 Sargent cherry trees in full bloom, creating a stunning pink landscape. Its spacious grounds make it an ideal spot for a relaxing picnic while taking in the scenery.
10. Bonus: The lone cherry blossom trees
Sprinkled throughout Hokkaido, solitary cherry blossom trees stand tall against vast meadows and lush green pastures, their delicate pink petals fluttering in the wind.
There is something poetic about the view: these fixtures seem like a lone soul in the world amidst the wide plains, framed by the expansive sky and rolling fields. During sakura season, they sometimes bloom with lingering snow still in the backdrop, a reminder of the harsh winter they've endured.
The sight of these trees, surrounded by mountains, hills, and even wind turbines, creates a heart-tugging scene, making it a favorite spot for commercials, film shoots and even anime inspirations.
A few famous lone cherry trees in Hokkaido include the Kamigoryo cherry tree in Furano and another in Sakimori Town. The best time to see them is from early to mid-May.
For another nature-filled trip with cherry blossom scenes, check out the best cherry blossom spots in Shizuoka.