[Hokkaido｜How to enjoy a cherry blossom feast in Sapporo, Hokkaido 🌸 Unexpected cherry blossom surprise]

#Sapporo Sakura
Before leaving for Hokkaido, I spent all my time planning for the hot spring route and never thought that I could enjoy cherry blossoms here - after all, the peak cherry blossom season in Japan is April, and Hokkaido is most famous for its hot springs! The result was an unexpected success. I came across a garden full of blooming cherry blossoms in Sapporo Nakajima Park. It was so beautiful that it was breathtaking!
✨ Key reason: Hokkaido is at a higher latitude, so cherry blossoms only reach their peak in early May. Instead, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the flowers alone!
📍 Two great cherry blossom viewing locations
Nakajima Park
Stay at the Sapporo Park Hotel and you'll be right at the entrance, where cherry blossoms blend with classical fountains and Japanese gardens. A morning walk is like walking through a painting.
Maruyama Park
Directly accessible by subway, the park coincided with Japan's Golden Week in 2019, and the entire park was transformed into a "national barbecue paradise"! There were also celebrations on the day, it was so lively~
🗺 Itinerary planning (2019 May Day Golden Week)
Day 1｜Beijing→New Chitose Airport→Lake Toya (stay at Windsor Hotel)
Day 2｜Lake Toya→Sapporo (stay around Nakajima Park)
Day 3｜Sapporo→Otaru Canal→Sapporo
Day 4｜One-day tour in Sapporo (cherry blossom viewing in Maruyama Park + city dining)
Day 5｜Sapporo→Shanghai→Beijing
🚗 Transportation: Chartered car (Toyako Lake) + Subway/Walking (within Sapporo city)
💡 Key Tips
A must-read for saving money: Taxis in Japan are super expensive, Sapporo has a wide subway network, so it’s recommended to buy a “One-Day Subway Ticket”!
Flowering tips: Hokkaido cherry blossoms are at their peak in early May, so Nakajima Park and Maruyama Park are must-visits.
Avoid the crowds: Although the Golden Week is busy, Maruyama Park will be crowded with people barbecuing. It is recommended to go to Nakajima Park in the morning to take pictures of the empty view!
✨ Postscript
The original hot spring trip unexpectedly turned into a cherry blossom-themed trip. Hokkaido's spring cherry blossoms are low-key but stunning. If you're tired of the huge crowds in Kyoto and Tokyo, why not come to Sapporo and enjoy a "private" flower viewing experience!