Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Cherry blossoms, the flowers that herald the arrival of spring. In Hokkaido, cherry blossoms bloom about a month later than in Honshu, typically from late April to mid-May. In Hakodate and Matsumae, they bloom from late April to early May, around Sapporo from early to mid-May, and in the eastern Hokkaido area around mid-May. The best viewing times vary by region. Check the blooming forecasts and peak viewing information to plan your cherry blossom viewing outings!

Shibazakura are a typical spring scene along with cherry blossoms. In Hokkaido, the best time to view them is usually from mid-May to early June.

The sight of red, pink, white, and other colorful flowers blooming all around the area, spreading out like a carpet, is breathtaking! 

The sweet fragrance of lilacs heralds the arrival of early summer. Also known as 'lila,' this flower has been chosen as the city tree of Sapporo and is a familiar and beloved flower among its citizens. From mid-May, light purple and white flowers begin to bloom, and late bloomers can be enjoyed until early July.

The lily of the valley, a flower that represents the early summer of Hokkaido. In Biratori Town, located on the western side of the Hidaka Mountains, there is the largest lily of the valley colony in Japan. Delicate and pure white flowers bloom all around, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. It is open to the public for about a month from late May to mid-June each year. In June, the 'Lily of the Valley Viewing Event' is held to coincide with the peak blooming period.

Alpine plants that inhabit high-altitude mountains. In Hokkaido, where temperatures are low, they can also be seen near flatlands and coastal areas. Among them, Rebun Island, the northernmost remote island of Japan, is known as the 'Floating Island of Flowers,' where about 300 species of flowers bloom from spring to summer. It is a rare place where you can see alpine plants, which are usually found at altitudes around 2,000 meters in Honshu, from sea level. The best season is from June to July when various flowers are in full bloom. Don't miss the rare endemic species that can only be seen here!

The lavender fields, a summer tradition in Hokkaido, are especially popular in the Furano area, where beautiful purple flower fields stretch out as far as the eye can see. Every year, many tourists visit this area. The best time to see the lavender varies by variety. Early-blooming varieties start to flower around late June, with the peak season being mid-July. Late-blooming varieties can be enjoyed until early August, but some fields begin harvesting in August.

Hokkaido has many famous spots for sunflowers, which are the representative flowers of summer! The sheer scale of these fields is truly impressive. The sight of an entire area dyed in vibrant yellow is breathtaking! Among them, Hokuryu Town's 'Sunflower Village' and the sunflower fields in Nayoro City in northern Hokkaido are among the largest in Japan. From late July to early August, when they are in full bloom, the vast land is covered with sunflowers as far as the eye can see, captivating visitors.