It’s not too late to catch beautiful pink blooms in Sapporo, Japan this cherry blossom season
While cherry blossoms have already flowered in many cities in Japan, there’s still a chance to catch these pink flowers this season—especially if you travel further north to Sapporo. Thanks to its cooler climate, the Hokkaido capital sees these flowers blooming considerably later than the rest of Japan, in late April and early May. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s (JMC) latest update on April 4, cherry blossoms are set to start flowering in Sapporo on April 27, reaching full bloom on April 30.
Like Tokyo and Osaka, Sapporo offers various parks that are perfect for cherry blossom viewing (hanami). What’s more, these parks are home to various species of cherry blossom trees that bloom at different times, meaning you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of pink and white blooms whether you visit earlier or later in the season.
Below, we share some popular spots to visit for stunning views of cherry blossoms.
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1. Maruyama Park
A popular spot for families, thanks to its proximity to the Maruyama Zoo, this park sees 160 cherry blossom trees bloom in Spring. For an even more enchanting view, the Hokkaido Shrine located next to the park is surrounded by around 2,000 cherry blossom trees. Do note that because the shrine is a sacred spot, hanami picnics are not allowed on the grounds. Instead, head to the park where there’s plenty of space to sit and relax.