Cherry blossom season is around the corner. It’s a magical time in Japan, and Sapporo is no exception. Have you ever experienced cherry blossom season in Sapporo?
Sapporo is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, not only because of its delicious regional cuisine but also for outdoor activities and nature. Winter is long there, so people wait for spring season to come and enjoy beautiful blossoms like cherry and plum, magnolias, and tulips.
Here’s a perfect one-day itinerary to make the most of your time in Sapporo during cherry blossom season. This is a customizable Sapporo itinerary that covers the city’s most iconic places in just one day.
Where to stay in Sapporo?
The best area that I recommend to stay overnight is nearby Odori Park. There are many hotels to make your stay comfortable. Check into the Royal Park Canvas. It offers an exceptional buffet breakfast for guests on a daily basis.
When is the Best time to see Cherry Blossom in Sapporo?
This suggested 1-day itinerary is perfect for those looking to see cherry blossoms in Sapporo during the peak of the season. In recent years, it happens between late April and early May.
Travelers who missed viewing cherry blossoms in mainland Japan can still enjoy them when they come to Sapporo around the last week of April and the first week of May.
Morning
Start your adventure in Sapporo with a visit to Nijo Market. It’s a local seafood market where you can enjoy a fresh seafood breakfast with options like sushi, donburi, and sashimi.
Established in the early Meiji period of Japan, this historic market does not only highlight seafood of different types but also seasonal vegetables, dried products, and fruits.
After spending some time in the market, head towards Sapporo TV Tower. A visit to this place is a must for those who want to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire Odori Park and the city. It costs you some money, but it’s worth your time before you go to a major cherry blossom spot in Sapporo. You will find souvenir shops there.
It’s time to visit Maruyama Park (70 ha) and Hokkaido Shrine! In fact, the shrine itself is located in the area of Maruyama Park. You can reach the park from Odori Station by the subway (Tozai Line). It’s just a short walk from Maruyama Koen Station to the park.
It’s a perfect place to enjoy hanami. Many locals and tourists alike visit this popular cherry blossom spot during the peak bloom. You will also find a lovely plum grove there, which consists of a variety of plum and cherry blossom trees.
Take a leisurely stroll through the park and take plenty of photos of cherry blossoms, torii gates, and shrine buildings. This forested park is a breathtaking sight to behold, no doubt about that!
Wondering where to have some lunch? There are food vendors offering food and drinks. And you should try their delicious dishes. Maruyama Picante is a soup curry restaurant near Maruyama Koen Station; you can taste their soup curries too.
Afternoon
Once you have arrived in Odori Park, it’s time to rest for half an hour nearby the fountain. From there you can take photos of the TV Tower. There are also colorful flower beds to enjoy.
As you continue your one-day trip in Sapporo City, I recommend you make your way to Nakajima Park. This is one of the best cherry blossom spots in Sapporo.
Though there are other amazing places to see cherry blossoms in Sapporo, such as Makomanai Park and Moerenuma Park, it will be impossible to see all those places in just one day.
This 21-hectare park is an urban oasis, highlighting approximately 5,000 trees of different kinds. Situated next to the Susukino shopping district, anyone can easily reach it on foot, or they can choose the subway from Odori Station to Nakajima Koen Station on the Namboku Line.
The park has a beautiful traditional Japanese garden, where you can see a giant shidarezakura tree (weeping cherry blossoms).
On the east side of the park, there are rows of cherry blossom trees. It’s a perfect place to walk. Moreover, you can hire rowing boats if you wish.
Regardless of how much time you’ve got, you need to spend at least 2 hours in this park. The more time you are willing to spend there, the better your trip would be.
When your trip in Nakajima Park is over, head back to Susukino. It’s time to taste miso ramen! Visit the Ramen Alley, where you will find a variety of ramen shops each offering their unique take on this famous dish.
Evening
Next, you visit the Sapporo Clock Tower. This is one of Sapporo’s most iconic landmarks, built in 1878. This two-story wooden building has a small museum and gallery on its ground floor, while the second floor is used mainly as a presentation and event space.
I personally think that shopping on Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade needs to be on your 1-day Sapporo itinerary. It could be at Sapporo Steller Palace or Daimaru. The choice is yours, but you have to experience the shopping areas in Sapporo.
Don Quijote at Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade offers a great shopping experience in Sapporo. You will find plenty of discounted and tax-free products, including cosmetics, gourmet products, clothing, gift shops, and more.
If you go to either Sapporo Steller Palace or Daimaru, be sure to check out the JR Tower Observation Deck T38. On the top floor of this building there is an observation platform. It offers 360-degree views of Sapporo city.
On the top floor of the skyscraper there is an observation deck, which is popular for offering visitors a 360-degree panoramic view over the city. There are so many fun things to do in Sapporo, and this attraction is hard to miss!
Finish your day with a dinner at Izakaya Furusato Sapporo Sohonten. This is a popular Izakaya in the city, offering sashimi, grilled items, stews, and a full range of alcoholic drinks. For an authentic Japanese izakaya dining experience, this Izakaya is highly recommended.
Conclusion
Sapporo is a beautiful city. Spring is a good time to visit there. With cheap accommodation, Sapporo can be a great spring destination, especially during the cherry blossom season.
This 1-day in Sapporo itinerary organizes your accommodation, transport, and tours, so you can really just relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about too much planning and preparation.
In addition, you can enjoy multiple day trips from Sapporo. Maybe you want to explore one hidden sakura spot in Sapporo, which is Shiroishi Cycling Road. It’s a wonderful road that you should visit at least once during the cherry blossom season. It’s a 5-minute walk from Higashi Sapporo Station.
I hope you will take advantage of how easily you can go outside the city and come back to your hotel at the end of the day.
