Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido

Hello, my name is Tsuyama of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel writer. The cherry blossom season is about to arrive in Japan, but did you know that there are special types of cherry blossoms in Hokkaido?

In Hokkaido, flowering finally begins in mid-April, and it is in full bloom from early May to mid-May of Golden Week. In the vast Hokkaido, the types of cherry blossoms and the time when they are in full bloom vary depending on the area, so you can see completely different cherry blossoms in various places.

And cherry blossoms have a characteristic of each type. However, it is of course beautiful just to appreciate the cherry blossoms, but if you go to Hokkaido, you want to see the cherry blossoms that only bloom in Hokkaido!

Therefore, this time, we will introduce the types and characteristics of cherry blossoms seen in Hokkaido, as well as the recommended cherry blossom viewing spots of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel staff, who knew all about Hokkaido, according to the type of cherry tree!

If you are going to Hokkaido in the spring, be sure to check out this blog and enjoy cherry blossom viewing!

1. What are the characteristics of cherry blossoms in Hokkaido?

First of all, I would like to introduce the characteristics of the cherry blossoms that bloom in Hokkaido. Despite cherry blossoms being seen all over Japan, why do many cherry blossom lovers and photographers gather in Hokkaido? There are three reasons for that.

Reason 1 There are kinds of cherry blossoms that can only be seen in Hokkaido

You can see Yoshino cherry tree and Yaezakura in Hokkaido as well. In fact, there are some cherry blossoms that can only be seen in Hokkaido. It is a variety of cherry blossoms such as Ezo yamazakura (Ezoyamazakura) and Chishima Sakura (Chishima Sakura).

Among them, Chishima cherry blossoms bloom only in areas where the cold is particularly severe, such as Eastern Hokkaido and Northern Hokkaido areas. Therefore, it is a valuable cherry blossom sight for people in Hokkaido.

Reason 2 Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido are dark in color

Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido are said to have a darker color than in Honshu. This is because the colder the cherry blossoms, the darker the color. Ezoyamazakura, which can be seen throughout Hokkaido, is said to be more colorful in cold areas such as Eastern Hokkaido. (However, there are individual differences.)

Reason 3 In Hokkaido, during Golden Week to early summer is the cherry blossom season

The flowering of cherry blossoms in Japan begins in Okinawa, and finally ends in the Eastern Hokkaido area of Hokkaido. For this reason, there are many types of cherry blossoms in Hokkaido that bloom around Golden Week, and you can fully enjoy it from May to June. If you missed it in spring, please come to Hokkaido and enjoy the cherry blossoms.

2. I want to see it once in Hokkaido! Three types of cherry blossoms and features

If you are visiting Hokkaido, the staff of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel wants to see the cherry blossoms unique to Hokkaido. Here, let's introduce the characteristics of the three types of cherry blossoms that you want to see at least once in Hokkaido.

2-1. Ezo yamazakura

Source: Planting Pediaoyamazakura / Oyamazakura / Oyamazakura

Characteristics: It is also called Oyamazakura (large yamazakura). The colors of the flowers are light pink to dark pink, and the leaves are egg-shaped and jagged. Because it is a wild species, the blooming time is different, and the color of the cherry blossoms looks like a gradation.

Time: From early May to late May, the cherry blossom viewing period is about 9 days.
Area It is distributed all over Hokkaido

2-2. Chishima Cherry Blossoms

Source: Flower picture book Chishima cherry tree

Characteristics: It is also called takanezakura. The colors of the flowers are white to light pink, fragrant, and the leaves have a double jagged. It is resistant to cold and grows in the northernmost part of Japan. Although it is a shrub, large ones have branches about 10m spread sideways.

Time: From early May to late June (depending on the area), the cherry blossom viewing period is about 9 days
Area It is widely distributed in Northern Hokkaido and Eastern Hokkaido regions.

2-3. creeping phlox

Characteristics: It is also called Hanatsumekusa, and it is not officially a cherry tree. It is called "creeping phlox" because it spreads like a lawn and has flowers similar to cherry blossoms. Due to breeding, there are not only pink but also white, purple, and blue flowers. Hokkaido has three famous places of creeping phlox in Japan.

Time: From early May to early June
Area You can see it all over Japan

3. Let's go see the cherry blossoms in Hokkaido! Recommended Spots by Type

I want to see the cherry blossoms unique to Hokkaido! Next, we will introduce the spots where you can fully enjoy these cherry blossoms! It is a cherry blossom viewing spot that the staff of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel actually visit, so please refer to it!

3-1. Recommended spots in Ezo yamazakura

①　A row of cherry blossom trees on the twenty-way road (Tomakomai)

Over 2,000 cherry trees are in full bloom over 7 km in a straight line, making it a super famous spot that is said to be the best row of cherry trees in Japan. It has been selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan" and "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots", and it is a place that cherry blossom lovers should definitely visit. In fact, the staff of Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel has visited many times.
The row of cherry blossom trees is in full bloom from early May, so it is also recommended for travel destinations during Golden Week!

Nijukken Road Cherry Blossoms
Address: Shizunaimisono, Shizunaidawara, Shinhidaka-cho, Hidaka County
Access
[Train] Approx. 40 minutes by bus and walk from JR Shizunai Station
[Car] Approx. 20 minutes by car from JR Shizunai Station
Parking lot 300 units (free)

②　Tentozan Cherry Blossom Park (Shiretoko, Abashiri)

Source: Cherry Blossoms in Tentozan, a scenic spot in Japan

Tentozan Sakura Park is a park located near the summit of Tentozan at an altitude of 207m, and is a famous cherry blossom spot representing Shiretoko and Abashiri. Approximately 1,000 Ezoyamazakura trees are in full bloom, and you can also enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Shiretoko Peninsula and the mountains of Akan together.

The best time to see it is from mid-May to late May, and a cherry blossom festival is also held as it blooms. You can also enjoy cherry blossoms from the observation deck (free open) of the adjacent Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum. It is a recommended spot only in Eastern Hokkaido in Japan where you can enjoy drift ice and cherry blossoms at the same time!

Please check out this article for the exhibition at Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum!

Related Articles : For those who want to see real drift ice in Hokkaido! A long-established ryokan in Shiretoko opens the best spots

Tentozan Sakura Park
Address: 244-3, Tentozan, Abashiri-shi
Access
[Train] 15 minutes by bus from JR Abashiri Station 5 minutes on foot from "Tentozan Ryuhikan" bus stop 
[Car] About 20 minutes from Bihoro Bypass and Memanbetsu Airport IC
Parking lot 100 units (free)

3-2. Recommended Spots for Chishima Cherry Blossoms

①　Notsuke Elementary School (Nemuro)

Source: Chishima cherry blossoms on Betsukai-cho HP

If you want to see the precious Chishima cherry blossoms, we recommend Notsuke Elementary School in Bekkai-cho, Eastern Hokkaido. Chishima cherry blossoms here are the largest in Japan, and the estimated age of the tree is 110 years, the height of the tree is 5.5m, and the outer circumference is 45.8m. Chishima cherry blossoms are characterized by shrubs, so you can enjoy the appearance of spreading branches horizontally.

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom from mid to late May, so it is recommended to drive from Shiretoko on National Route 334 "Shiretoko Crossing Road"! You can enjoy not only the best cherry blossoms in Japan but also the magnificent views of Mt. Rausu and the Okhotsk sea from the Shiretoko Pass, which is also included in World Heritage!

Please refer to this article for the magnificent view of World Heritage Shiretoko!

Related Articles : Staff recommendation 7 Must-see sightseeing spots in Shiretoko and 3-day 2 nights model course

Notsuke Elementary School
Address: 217, Odaitoushiomicho, Betsukai-cho, Notsuke-gun, Hokkaido
Access [Car] About 2 hours by car from Memanbetsu Airport
Parking lot Yes (free of charge)

②　Kiyotaka-ji Temple (Nemuro)

Source: Nemuro-shi Tourism Association　◆Japan's Late blooming Cherry Blossom

At Kiyotaka-ji Temple, there are many cherry blossoms in Japan, the late blooming Chishima cherry blossoms, which have been selected as one of the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido, and cherry blossoms that are about 150 years old and over 3 meters tall. The best time to see the cherry blossoms is quite late from late May to early June.

By the way, at this time, the precious Hanasaki crab from Nemuro is in season, so if you want to enjoy cherry blossoms and gourmet at the same time in Hokkaido, please visit Nemuro and enjoy the last cherry blossom viewing in Japan!

Kiyotaka-ji Temple
Address: 2-2, Matsumotocho, Nemuro-shi, Hokkaido
Access
[Train] 10 minutes walk from JR Nemuro Station
[Car] Approximately 150 minutes from Akan IC on the Doto Expressway
Parking lot 10 units (free)

3-3. Recommended Spots in creeping phlox

Finally, it is a recommended spot in creeping phlox. In Hokkaido, there are many of the largest creeping phlox parks in Japan, such as "Higashimokoto creeping phlox Park", "Shibazakura Takigami Park" and "Mishimasan's Shibazakura Garden". This time, especially Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel staff will introduce "Higashimokoto creeping phlox Park" recommended!

Makoto Azuma (Higashimo Koto) creeping phlox Park

At Makoto Azuma creeping phlox Park, about 100,000 square meters (for 2 Tokyo Dome!) You can see the largest creeping phlox in Japan on the site. The one-sided creeping phlox overlooking from the observation deck is famous as "like a pink carpet laid" and is famous overseas such as Taiwan, China and India.

creeping phlox is in full bloom from mid to late May, and this period attracts about 100,000 tourists in one month. Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel staff also visit creeping phlox every year!

In Makoto Azuma creeping phlox Park, there are not only creeping phlox but also many places to enjoy with families such as fishing ponds, go-karts and footbath.

From early May to early June, the creeping phlox Festival is held, and you can enjoy different scenery such as night light-up and fireworks. It is a spot that you will not get tired of all day, so be sure to visit once in a lifetime and enjoy the best creeping phlox in Japan!

Makoto Azuma creeping phlox Park
Address: 393, Higashimokotosuehiro, Ozora-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido
Access
[Train] Approx. 50 minutes by bus from JR Abashiri Station
[Car] 30 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport
Parking lot 1000 units (free)

4. If you want to see the cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, we recommend staying in the Shiretoko area.

This time, we introduced mainly the types of cherry blossoms unique to Hokkaido, but in fact these spots are concentrated in the Eastern Hokkaido area.

In other words, if you want to see the cherry blossoms unique to Hokkaido efficiently, we recommend staying in the Shiretoko area! From the Shiretoko area, you can travel to any cherry blossom viewing spot in about 1-2 hours, and you can also enjoy World Natural Heritage viewing that attracts all over the world at the same time.

In addition, at Shiretoko Dai-ichi Hotel, there is a 30% discount rental plan that can be used in Hokkaido, so you can visit cherry blossom spots at a great price. If you want to go to Hokkaido for cherry blossom viewing in the future, please check out the reservation plan here now!