Hokkaido has plenty to offer the traveler year-round, and although the region may be best known for its snowy landscapes, spring packs quite the punch. If you're contemplating a trip to Hokkaido in the future, this guide covers five destinations where you can enjoy the best of the season's color.
Goryokaku
Hakodate's star-shaped Goryokaku fort was built back in 1866 not for aesthetics, but for function. The shape meant that more artillery could be placed on its walls compared to typical Japanese fortresses, and it also limited the amount of blind spots where a cannon couldn't fire. These days the Goryokaku is a popular spot during cherry blossom season, and with good reason - from above you can see that perfect pastel pink star-shape!
44 Goryokakucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001
Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park
The total space of the Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park is around 12.5 hectares, with a full seven hectares of that space filled with different kinds of tulips. There are around 200 varieties planted in total, and each year the park introduces new ones from the Netherlands and Tonami, seen as Japan's home of tulips. At the annual tulip fair, guests have the opportunity to literally dig up their favorite tulips and take them home.
Kamiyubetsutonden Shigaichi, Yubetsu, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-6501
Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park
Head to the Higashimotoko Shibazakura Park during spring, and you can appreciate an entire hillside blanketed in pink shibazakura (also known as moss phlox) flowers. In typical years there is a go-kart track at the park where you can zip around the blooms, and there are even helicopter rides where you can savor the beauty from above.
393 Higashimokotosuehiro, 大空町 Ozora, Abashiri District, Hokkaido 099-3232
Shizunai Nijukken Road
From the early to mid May timeframe, Hokkaido's Shizunai Nijukken Road is an amazing place to enjoy the beauty of sakura season. The route was named as one of Japan's Top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots, and close to 3000 trees line the roadside for approximately 7 kilometers. When the trees are in bloom the Shizunai Cherry Blossom Festival takes place, and there are usually a range of different food vendors and seating set up for visitors to appreciate the blooms.
Shizunaitahara, Shinhidaka, Hidaka District, Hokkaido 056-0144
Farm Tomita
Though Farm Tomita may be best known for its summertime lavender, visitors will find plenty of other floral beauty to enjoy during spring. Icelandic poppies and Oriental poppies both grow in abundance, and they typically last right up until early July. The farm has the Tokachi Mountain Range as a backdrop, which often still has a dusting of snow during poppy season - it makes for some lovely photos!
15 号 Kisenkita, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0704
