[Spring Sapporo City Travel Guide] Spring scenery colored by cherry blossoms, where city and nature come together

Spreading out on the north side of Maruyama Primeval Forest, Maruyama Park has long been loved as a famous cherry blossom spot. Around 120 cherry trees, including Ezo-yamazakura and Somei Yoshino, are planted in the park, and in spring it becomes lively with many flower-viewing visitors.
Surrounded by a natural setting rich with cedar groves, giant katsura trees, wild birds, and squirrels, it is a place close to the city where you can relax and feel the signs of spring.

Though located in central Sapporo, Nakajima Park is surrounded by abundant greenery.
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom and wisteria adds color, giving the park a distinct seasonal atmosphere. Within the park are a Japanese garden, Hasso-an, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, and Hoheikan, with historic buildings and a quiet atmosphere throughout.
It is a park where you can enjoy a calm spring stroll right near the city center.

Moerenuma Park is an art park created as part of Sapporo’s Circular Greenbelt Concept.
The entire park was designed as a sculptural work by sculptor Isamu Noguchi, showing visitors a variety of expressions through the changing seasons.
In spring, the changing light stands out, and forms such as the Glass Pyramid and Mt. Moere take on soft colors. It is a place where you can enjoy the open feeling of spring under a wide sky.

There are many more great spots, so check the article below for more details on cherry blossom viewing spots in Sapporo.

One of Hokkaido’s most representative shrines, this is a pleasant place for a spring stroll, surrounded by rich nature despite being in the city. Many worshippers visit throughout the year, and during the New Year’s first shrine visit season, at least 700,000 people come each year. In the surrounding forest, you may even spot Ezo squirrels, giving you a real sense of how close nature is in Sapporo.
The grounds are also known as a famous plum blossom spot, and in spring delicate plum blossoms add extra color.

In 1950, Ueno Zoo in Tokyo held a traveling zoo event in Sapporo, and after its success, Maruyama Zoo opened the following year as the first zoo in Hokkaido. The zoo has many outdoor exhibits, allowing you to observe animals while surrounded by nature in the soft air of spring. Facilities such as the polar bear house and elephant house are well equipped for observing animal behavior up close.

This one-of-a-kind observation facility offers panoramic views of Sapporo beyond the ski jump, with views over the city and the Ishikari Plain from an elevation of 307 m. Located at the summit of Mt. Okura, Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium was one of the venues for the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo.
Looking out over the city in the clear air of spring, you can enjoy scenery that feels distinctly Sapporo, where city and nature are closely connected.

This art spot has museums and ateliers scattered across its vast grounds, where you can spend time moving between art and nature in the gentle air of spring.
It also features an open-air museum where you can enjoy art in harmony with nature and the changing seasons, as well as rental facilities with practice spaces and accommodations, so it is often used not only by tourists but also by performers.

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park is the only national government park in Hokkaido.
The flower fields spread across the hills are especially popular for their tulips, which reach their best in late May, and there are many areas where you can spend time walking through nature along with forest trails. Across its 400-hectare grounds are playground equipment and waterfalls, allowing everyone from families to travelers to enjoy their own kind of time.

Approx. 20 minutes from central Sapporo by public transportation, this 531 m mountain still preserves its primeval forest.
Several hiking trails lead to the summit, with the one-way journey taking Approx. 1 to 2 hours, making it a great place to walk and enjoy nature in the calm air of spring. Along the trails, you can listen to birds singing and look out for a variety of trees and flowers, as well as small animals such as squirrels and Ezo red foxes.

A large commercial complex built on the former site of the Sapporo Beer factory, which has its roots in the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery established in 1876.
The space, with its brick architecture and huge atrium, feels especially pleasant in the spring light and is ideal for strolling and café hopping. Inside, brewing equipment such as kettles and panel displays are open to the public, offering a chance to learn about beer making at the time.

The plum grove in the western area of Hiraoka Park is one of Sapporo’s largest famous spots announcing the arrival of spring. The plum grove in the park’s western area covers one of the largest areas in Sapporo at 6.5 hectares, with white plum blossoms making up around 60% and red plum blossoms around 40%.
To coincide with the plum blossoms, the Hiraoka Plum Festival is held every year from late April to early May. Plum-themed food also appears, and you can relax in the lawn area.

A classic sign of spring in Hokkaido, around 400 carp streamers swim through the sky above the valley, adding color to Jozankei Onsen in spring.
Every spring, around 400 carp streamers are displayed above the hot spring town and the valley, and they can be enjoyed in various places throughout Jozankei Onsen. They are scattered across several spots, including the center of the hot spring town and areas along the valley, making it possible to compare different views as you stroll.

The Sapporo Lilac Festival began in 1959 through a call from cultural figures.
Centered on the Odori venue, where around 400 lilac trees are in bloom, the festival features concerts on the Lilac Spring Stage as well as lilac tree planting, outdoor tea ceremony events, and stamp rallies.
During the event period, there are also café terraces and hands-on activities, while at the Kawashimo venue you can enjoy lilacs from around the world.

The flagship store of MORIHICO., a leading name in Hokkaido’s coffee culture. In spring, you can enjoy house-roasted coffee in a quiet setting where crocuses bloom.
Set in a renovated traditional house built in 1952, the space features an open ceiling and the warmth of wood, and a cup of MORIHICO. coffee here is truly blissful.
Located near Maruyama Park, it is easy to stop by between sightseeing plans.

Jingisukan Daruma Main Store opened in 1954.
Long loved as a Susukino specialty, it has valued “not changing” in order to preserve its long-established flavor. Fresh mutton is brought in every day, and just before opening, skilled staff carefully cut the meat, which is then enjoyed with a special sauce hand-prepared by the proprietress since the restaurant’s founding.
Located in the heart of Susukino, it is easy to stop by between sightseeing plans.

Ramen Sapporo Ichiryuan is a popular spot near Sapporo Station.
Its specialty is carefully selected ingredients from Hokkaido. The custom-made noodles use Hokkaido wheat, and local ingredients such as alpine leek and whey-fed pork create a richly aromatic bowl rooted in local production for local consumption. The signature dish is Genki no Deru Miso Ramen. Stir-fried alpine leek and minced meat, finished with scrambled egg, blend beautifully with the miso broth.
Because it is located close to Sapporo Station, it is easy to access and convenient to stop by between sightseeing plans.

Kita no Gurume-tei is an eat-in space with 320 seats located in one corner of the seafood market Kita no Gurume. Chefs who know exactly how to bring out the best in seafood carefully prepare fresh ingredients delivered directly from the market. The most popular dish is a seafood bowl topped with 15 kinds of seafood. Located in the outer market area, it is easy to stop by during morning sightseeing or shopping.

A traditional house café standing at the foot of Mt. Moiwa. Its white-toned wooden building and large windows are striking, creating a calm space filled with natural light. The signature menu item is fluffy pancakes. Topped generously with house-made whipped cream, seasonal fruit, and handmade sauce, they are loved not only for their gentle sweetness but also for their photogenic look. It is also easy to stop by while exploring the Mt. Moiwa area.

A hotel located Approx. 7 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station, making it an easy base for a spring trip.
With guest rooms inspired by late 19th-century Vienna and a top-floor space that incorporates Japanese elements, the hotel has an elegant atmosphere throughout. It is also fully equipped with a jet bath, sauna, open-air bath, and stone sauna, and is especially well regarded by women.

A stylish hotel located Approx. 5 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station.
The hotel’s 181 rooms come in three color styles, and the interior includes spaces where you can enjoy local art.
On the top floor, there is a large public bath with an open-air bath. You can relax while looking out over the cityscape of Sapporo.
Its convenient location is also part of its appeal, making it an easy base for spring sightseeing in Sapporo.

A resort hotel located in Jozankei Onsen, surrounded by beautiful valley scenery, Approx. 30 km from central Sapporo, with guest rooms including some with observation baths for enjoying the view.
The large public bath, where you can fully enjoy the hot spring waters of Jozankei Onsen with an open-air bath and four distinctive indoor baths that warm you to the core, also includes a sauna room. It is a convenient choice for a spring trip that combines city sightseeing with hot spring time.