Cherry blossom (sakura) is symbolic of Japan, and heralds the coming of spring.
It begins to bloom in Japan’s southern regions at the end of March, and gradually heads northward.
Lots of people probably think that by May they will have missed their chance to see any cherry blossom, but in Japan’s northernmost region of Hokkaido, it can still be seen.
Here I’m going to be introducing the best times and places to go cherry blossom viewing in Hokkaido.
It seems the cherry blossom flowered around ten days early this year, so in the southern parts of Hokkaido, it began to bloom at the end of April.
It should be in full bloom around Golden Week and mid-May.
The blossom is at its peak in different areas at different times: starting in Sapporo and Hakodate, and then shifting to Asahikawa and Obihiro, then to Wakkanai, Nemuro, and Kushiro.
This is Goryokaku, a cherry blossom spot in Hakodate.
Around 1600 cherry trees—mainly Yoshino cherry—have been planted here, and each year it’s packed with visitors during cherry blossom season.
I’d also recommend climbing up Goryokaku Tower, which can be seen to the left of the photo, for a great view of the cherry blossom from up above.
Matsumae Castle in Matsumae-cho, which looks out onto the Tsugaru Channel, is one of the country’s most famous cherry blossom spots, with over 10,000 cherry trees and 250 different varieties.
There are both early-blooming and late-blooming trees, so it’s a great place for cherry blossom viewing all the way from the end of April up to the end of May.
At Ishizaki Jinushi Kai Shrine in Hakodate, the grounds and shrine path are lined with deep pink-colored yaezakura trees that form a cherry blossom tunnel.
Yaezakura are late-blooming trees, so the best viewing time is generally around mid- to late May.
Lake Toya is regarded as one of the three great landscapes of Hokkaido.
The view of Mount Yotei—known as Ezo Fuji (Ezo being an old name for Hokkaido) due to its resemblance to Mount Fuji—from across the lake is spectacular.
On the lake shore bloom yaezakura and other cherry trees.
The colors here are incredible: the deep pink of the yaezakura, the verdant green, and the blue of the lake.
Hokkaido in the springtime is filled with beautiful sights and delicious food.
You should definitely try to take a trip there to see the cherry blossom in bloom!
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