Soak Up Breathtaking Scenery Where Cherry Blossoms Color Hokkaido’s Great Outdoors! 11 Popular Hanami Spots

Below are the 2026 bloom and full-bloom forecast dates for locations across Hokkaido, announced on January 22, 2026 by a weather information company via “Weathermap.”

Goryokaku is a Western-style fortress built in 1866.
Until it was taken over by the new Meiji government, it served as the political center of Ezochi.
Later, it was opened to the public in 1914 as “Goryokaku Park,” and it became a tourist destination and a nationally designated Special Historic Site that visitors now come to see.
Goryokaku Park is also famous as a place to admire beautiful flowers.
One highlight is its cherry tree grove. It’s so beautiful that many say Goryokaku Park means cherry blossoms.
The sight of Approx. 1,530 cherry trees blooming together is simply spectacular.

Maruyama Park sits on the north side of Maruyama Primeval Forest and has long been loved as a classic cherry blossom spot.
Inside the park, there are Approx. 120 cherry trees, including Ezoyamazakura and Somei Yoshino, and it gets lively with many hanami visitors in spring.
“Maruyama Park” has many trees besides cherry blossoms, and the white and pink hues stand out even more when framed by lush greenery.
Ezoyamazakura here is known for its deep-colored flowers, and it pairs beautifully with the surrounding trees.
With its open, airy setting, you’re sure to enjoy a refreshing hanami experience.
There are also benches, making it perfect for a walk.

“Matsumae Park” is a park in Matsumae District, Hokkaido, and it features its symbol, Matsumae Castle, as well as residences recreating scenes from the Edo period (1603–1868).
It’s also popular as a sightseeing spot where you can experience Japanese culture.
In the park, you can see 250 varieties and Approx. 10,000 cherry trees, making it fun to compare different colors and shapes.
Matsumae Park has also been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
A highlight is the Ketsumyaku-zakura, over 300 years old, with an impressive, powerful presence.
During cherry blossom season, the Matsumae Sakura Festival is held, and the trees are illuminated at night during the event.
You can expect a dreamy cherry blossom scene throughout the park.

Moerenuma Park is an art park created as part of Sapporo’s Ring Green Belt plan, designed to wrap the city in a belt of parks and green spaces.
The entire park was designed as a sculpture by artist Isamu Noguchi, showing visitors different expressions as the seasons change.
Its biggest draw is the harmony between nature and art, with Approx. 1,600 Ezoyamazakura and other trees planted throughout.
The contrast between elegant cherry blossoms and the park’s uniquely creative man-made play structures is especially striking.
You’ll also see cherry blossoms blending into vast lawns and greenery, making “Moerenuma Park” a place where you can enjoy many different cherry blossom scenes.

Zenkoji Nature Park in Date City sits on the grounds of Zenkoji Temple, which has over 1,200 years of history, and its thatched-roof main hall is well worth seeing.
More than 20,000 trees are planted on the grounds, and one of its charms is enjoying a refreshing forest-bathing experience in rich nature.
In spring, around 1,000 cherry trees—mainly Ezoyamazakura—add color to the temple grounds.
Set among evergreens and surrounding greenery, the blossoms create a beautiful spring view.

“Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue” is a tree-lined road in Shin-Hidaka, Hidaka District.
Along a straight, 7 km road, around 2,200 cherry trees have been planted.
Known for its powerful, breathtaking cherry blossoms, it has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
You can also enjoy it on foot, but we recommend a drive, since you can experience the refreshing feeling of passing through the cherry blossom avenue.
During peak season, the Shizunai Sakura Festival is held, and the cherry blossoms are softly illuminated during the event.
You’ll be able to enjoy a different atmosphere from daytime.

Asahiyama Park in Asahikawa City is a park next to the popular tourist spot Asahiyama Zoo.
In addition to enjoying rich nature along well-paved walking paths, it also sits on hilly terrain, offering one of its highlights: panoramic views over Asahikawa City.
You can see around 3,500 cherry trees, and the view of the area dyed in the deep pink unique to Ezoyamazakura is truly stunning.
The Asahiyama Park Night Cherry Blossom Festival is held for a limited time, with illuminations as well.
The mysterious blossoms glowing against the night sky are also a major draw.

“Oniushi Park” is in Mori Town, Kayabe District, and is located next to a roadside station.
It’s a park with wide grassy lawns, and with a fountain plaza and unique playground equipment, it’s also perfect for taking photos.
You’re sure to feel the refreshing comfort that comes with such an open space.
You can see around 500 cherry trees across 20 varieties, so we recommend taking a slow stroll through the park while enjoying the blossoms.
Because there are so many different varieties, you can enjoy cherry blossoms for a relatively long period.
In particular, don’t miss Horiihizakura and Komamizakura, said to be endemic to Mori Town.
They’re known for petals that mix darker and lighter areas within the same flower.

Aobagaoka Park in Mori Town, Kayabe District, is next to Oniushi Park.
The park has many old trees, including some over 200 years old.
It’s a rare experience that lets you feel the depth of history through these venerable trees.
The “Kayabe Chestnut Grove,” made up of 130 trees, is designated a Natural Monument of Hokkaido.
The park also has around 1,000 cherry trees, vividly coloring the area in white and pale pink.
At the Morimachi Sakura Festival, the trees are also illuminated, so be sure to take in the softly lit blossoms.

“Noboribetsu Cherry Blossom Avenue” is in Noboribetsu City, an 8 km road stretching from JR Noboribetsu Station toward Noboribetsu Onsen.
Lined with around 2,000 Ezoyamazakura, it offers a powerful and beautiful view.
Ezoyamazakura is generally found only in Hokkaido, and it’s known for its deep pink color.
That means you can soak up a gorgeous, classic cherry-blossom-avenue scene.
Rent a car and enjoy it as a drive, if you can.
It should make for a refreshing hanami experience that’s a little different from viewing in a park.

Hokkaido Jingu Shrine is in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and is one of Hokkaido’s most representative shrines.
Its history is old: in 1869, by an imperial order from Emperor Meiji, it began with the enshrinement of the “Three Deities of Pioneer Settlement” as a spiritual support for settlers.
Many worshippers visit throughout the year, and especially during New Year’s shrine visits, more than 700,000 people come every year. It’s also known as a spot for cherry blossoms and plum blossoms, and in season you can enjoy around 1,100 cherry trees and around 120 plum trees.
One highlight is the cherry blossom-lined approach, where the blossoms form an impressive, tunnel-like canopy.
The harmony between the many historic buildings and the cherry blossoms is wonderful, and its atmospheric feel is also part of the charm.