Hokkaido Nature Tours
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      • Spring: 7 Day Spring Variety 10pax Sample Tour
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      • Spring: 8 Day Hiking & Wildlife Luxury Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Summer Variety Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Hiking & Sightseeing Sample Tour
      • Summer: 6 Day Hokkaido Heartland Sample Tour
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      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Wonderland Sample Tour
      • Winter: 4 Day Winter Family Fun Sample Tour
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    • Sample 2-Day Tours >
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      • 2-Day Tour Lake Toya, Lake Onuma & Noboribetsu
      • 2-Day Tour Niseko, Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru
      • 2-Day Tour Tokachi, Furano & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing & Furano
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake & Sounkyo Snowshoeing
      • 2-Day Tour Dogsledding, Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake Onsen & Sounkyo Gorge
      • 2-Day Tour Takinoue Pink Moss, Tulip & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Southern Hokkaido Sakura & Noboribetsu
    • Sample Day Trips >
      • Sample Day Trips Highlights
      • Noboribetsu & Lake Toya Day Trip
      • Furano & Biei Flower Fields Day Trip
      • Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru Day Trip
      • Mt. Tarumae & Mt. Moiwa Day Trip
      • Jozankei & Niseko Fall Foliage Day Trip
      • Tenninkyo Gorge & Mt. Asahidake Day Trip
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      • Ice Fishing & Dogsledding Day Trip
      • Furano & Ice Fishing Day Trip
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Hokkaido's Best Spring Festivals
​& Sakura Viewing (Hanami)

Hokkaido's spring festivals are centered around the abundance of flowers in full bloom found in every corner of the island: Sakura (cherry blossoms), azaleas, lilacs, tulips and pink moss phlox compete for attention between the months of April to June. 

There is always a festival occurring somewhere in Hokkaido during the springtime, so we will try to include at least one in your tour.

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Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festivals

While most people associate sakura hanami (viewing) parties with the main island of Honshu, Hokkaido can be a wonderful place to enjoy the most iconic of Japan's flower festivals. Matsumae, Hakodate, Sapporo and Asahikawa, just to name a few, all have gorgeous sakura hanami festivals, where you can picnic or BBQ alongside locals as they celebrate the joys of spring. Hanami  parties are a great way to experience an unusual side of Japanese social mores. 

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Matsumae Castle
Annually from late April to mid-May

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Pink Moss Phlox Festivals 

The thick carpets of pink moss phlox blossoms continue to be major draw cards in eastern Hokkaido. The two main venues are at Takinoue (north of Asahikawa) and Higashimokoto (near Shiretoko). The spectacle is impressive and worth driving to the remote locations to experience. For a smaller but more centrally-located moss phlox festival, visit Takino Suzuran Park just outside Sapporo.
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Annually from early May to early June

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Azalea Festivals


​As the first flowers to bloom during Hokkaido's spring, azaleas herald the start of the season of flowers. Journey to the Tokachi region, near Obihiro, to witness the blooming of 16,000 azalea bushes at Honbetsu's festival. If that's not enough, go further east to "Azalea Mountain" in Eastern Hokkaido for an incredible 70,000 azalea bushes, the largest collection in Japan. The base of Mt. Esan, an active volcano near Hakodate, is also a popular spot.  
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Annually from mid-May to early June

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Sapporo Plum Blossom Festival

Plum blossoms usually bloom shortly after the cherry blossoms, and Sapporo's Hiraoka Park Ume Festival is a great opportunity to view them. Hundreds of plum blossoms are spread across the park in their brilliant shades of pink. 
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Annually from late April to mid-May

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Yosakoi Soran Festival

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Tulip Festivals


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Come see Sapporo's streets come alive with this street dancing festival, which has been held annually since 1992. Currently, over 300 teams from all over Hokkaido take part in this 4 day dancing festival with elaborate routines, stunning costumes and perfect choreography. 
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Annually in early June


​Myriad varieties of tulips, stretched out in rows upon rows, are a wonderful spectacle for the eyes. The explosion of tulips comes to life at two remarkable locations: Takino Suzuran Park (outside Sapporo); and Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park (near Abashiri).  
Annually from mid-May to early June

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Hakodate Gourmet Food Festival

Every year many people turn out for the Spanish-style gourmet food festival in Hakodate called the Hakodate Seibu Chiku Bar-Gai Festival. Purchase a booklet of food tickets and choose your favorite dishes from the available restaurants. Street performances and the milling crowds add a nice atmosphere to this early spring festival. 
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Annually in mid-April

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Hokkaido Shrine Festival


This century old Shinto festival reaches its climax on the final day, June 16th, when four mikoshi  portable shrines and eight floats are paraded from Maruyama Park to central Sapporo. At Maruyama Shrine, there are many food vendor and festival tents that contribute to the celebratory atmosphere.  
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Annually in mid-June

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Sapporo Lilac Festival


Started in 1959, the Sapporo Lilac Festival is eagerly awaited by Sapporo's residents. As the official tree of Sapporo, the lilac is held in high esteem. There are two locations where the more than 400 lilac trees can be observed: Odori Park and Kawashimo Park in Shiroishi-ku.  

Annually from mid to late May

Thank you for visiting us at Hokkaido Nature Tours!

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General Contact Email:
[email protected]

OFFICE Tel. & FAx.

(+81)11-592-3959
Address: 005-0842 Japan, Hokkaido, Sapporo, Minami-ku, Ishiyama 2-6 7-83
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Hokkaido Travel License No.: 3-718
​Member of ANTA: All Nippon Travel Agents Association
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  • Home
  • Sample Tours
    • Sample Custom-Made Tours >
      • Sample Custom-Made Tours Highlights
      • Spring: 7 Day Spring Variety 10pax Sample Tour
      • Spring: 5 Day Southern Spring Blossoms Sample Tour
      • Spring: 8 Day Hiking & Wildlife Luxury Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Summer Variety Sample Tour
      • Summer: 7 Day Hiking & Sightseeing Sample Tour
      • Summer: 6 Day Hokkaido Heartland Sample Tour
      • Fall: 8 Day Fall Foliage Family Fun Sample Tour
      • Fall: 8 Day Central & Eastern Hokkaido Fall Luxury Sample Tour
      • Fall: 6 Day Fall Variety & Scenic Roads Sample Tour
      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Wonderland Sample Tour
      • Winter: 4 Day Winter Family Fun Sample Tour
      • Winter: 7 Day Winter Active Luxury Sample Tour
    • Sample 2-Day Tours >
      • Sample 2-Day Tours Highlights
      • 2-Day Tour Lake Toya, Lake Onuma & Noboribetsu
      • 2-Day Tour Niseko, Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru
      • 2-Day Tour Tokachi, Furano & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing & Furano
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake & Sounkyo Snowshoeing
      • 2-Day Tour Dogsledding, Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
      • 2-Day Tour Asahidake Onsen & Sounkyo Gorge
      • 2-Day Tour Takinoue Pink Moss, Tulip & Biei
      • 2-Day Tour Southern Hokkaido Sakura & Noboribetsu
    • Sample Day Trips >
      • Sample Day Trips Highlights
      • Noboribetsu & Lake Toya Day Trip
      • Furano & Biei Flower Fields Day Trip
      • Shakotan Peninsula & Otaru Day Trip
      • Mt. Tarumae & Mt. Moiwa Day Trip
      • Jozankei & Niseko Fall Foliage Day Trip
      • Tenninkyo Gorge & Mt. Asahidake Day Trip
      • Noboribetsu & Dogsledding Day Trip
      • Ice Fishing & Dogsledding Day Trip
      • Furano & Ice Fishing Day Trip
  • HNT Insight
    • Awards, Reviews & Accolades
    • FAQ
    • HNT Blog
    • Hokkaido Activities by Season >
      • Spring Season >
        • Spring Sightseeing
        • Spring Gourmet
        • Spring Festivals & Sakura
        • Hot Spring
        • Spring Wildlife & Zoos
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Boat Excursions
        • Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Adventure Activities: Spring
        • Resort & Backcountry Spring Skiing & Snowboarding
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Spring
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Summer Season >
        • Summer Sightseeing
        • Summer Gourmet
        • Summer Festivals
        • Summer Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Springs
        • Summer Wildlife & Zoos
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Boat Excursions
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Adventure Activities: Summer
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Summer
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Fall Season >
        • Fall Sightseeing
        • Fall Gourmet
        • Fall Festivals
        • Hot Springs
        • Boat Excursions
        • Fall Hiking & Trekking
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Farm Visits & Horseback Riding
        • Adventure Activities: Fall
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Fall
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
      • Winter Season >
        • Winter Sightseeing
        • Winter Gourmet
        • Winter Festivals
        • Hot Springs
        • Daisetsuzan Nat'l Park: Winter Activities
        • Snowshoeing
        • Ice Fishing
        • Winter Wildlife & Zoos
        • Resort Skiing & Snowboarding
        • Drift Ice & Boat Excursions
        • Dogsledding
        • Snowmobiling
        • Hot Air Ballooning
        • Crafts, Culture & Cooking
  • Contact Forms
    • Private Custom-Made Tours Preferences Form
    • Private 2-Day Tours Preferences Form
    • Private Day Trips Preferences Form
    • Contact Us
    • お問い合わせ
    • Jobs