Part of the beauty of Japan is the changing of seasons and the festivals they bring, with each festival being quite different from the other. The end of the harsh winter is marked by the bloom of flowers throughout Hokkaido, and you’ll find that the highlight of spring is the many different flower festivals. As the weather gets warmer, the streets fill up with people. Summers are short but lively, with festivals emphasising the outdoors and soaking in as much of this sunshine as possible, with the highlight being the many spectacular fireworks displays throughout.
With so many things to do, where does one start? In this two part series, we highlight festivals and activities that evoke the best of Spring and Summer in Sapporo:
Cherry Blossom Festivals (late April to mid May)
One of the most iconic of Japan's flower festivals, cherry blossoms are ubiquitous to spring in Japan. It is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and many Japanese have hanamis, or cherry blossom viewing parties, where they picnic or BBQ under the blossoming pink flowers and celebrate the joys of spring. If you’re lucky enough to be here at the peak of the blossoms, cherry blossoms are a definite must-see for their beauty alone! Check out our other article for a rundown on the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in Sapporo! Keep a lookout for many seasonal cherry blossom-themed food and drinks sold by vendors and even big chains like McDonald’s to commemorate this joyous yearly occasion.
Hiraoka Park Plum Festival (early May)
Only in Hokkaido do the plum blossoms and cherry blossoms bloom around the same time. Another flower that heralds the start of spring, the plum blossoms is similar to the cherry blossom but with a different sort of beauty to it. With over 1,200 trees in a beautiful mix of white and red plum blossoms, Hiraoka Park is truly a sight to behold when they are in full bloom. At the festival, you’ll also find many vendors setting up stalls hawking delicious local food. Join the locals over some drinks and food in enjoying the tranquility of the scenery.
Sapporo Lilac Festival (late May)
Being the official tree of Sapporo, the Sapporo Lilac Festival holds a special place in the hearts of the locals. With about 400 lilac trees, Odori Park is one of the main venues for the festival, where lilac seedlings are handed out to visitors on the first day. A host of other events, and a wine garden features dishes made with local ingredients, as well as locally-produced wines. The other venue is Kawashimo Park where you can find concerts and other fun activities taking place.
Tulip Festival (late May to early June)
At Takino Suzuran Park, you’ll find 200 varieties of about 250,000 tulips and 50,000 lilies of the valley in full bloom in spring. The Tulip Suzuran Festival is held from late May to early June, where many varieties of tulips are arranged in rows and rows, the bursts of colour throughout the farm are a true treat for the eyes. If you showed someone a photo, they would think it looks like a scene right out of the tulip farms in Amsterdam!
Yosakoi-Soran Festival (early June)
Held along Menuki Street and Odori Park, Yosakoi-Soran is a major dance festival featuring Soran Bushi folk melodies and the use of naruko (a Japanese percussion instrument used to make a clapping sound). Dancers clad in colourful costumes dance to the beat of the music, and you’re more than welcome to join in! It is held annually for 5 days a year, with the last day ending on the 2nd Sunday of June.
Hokkaido Shrine Festival (mid June)
For culture buffs, don’t miss the Hokkaido Shrine Festival. Also known as the Sapporo Festival and dating back over a century, it is the main festival of the Hokkaido Shrine. On the final day of the festival, more than a thousand people, adorned in Heian period costumes parade the city, with spectators gather all around the route watching. At the shrine, traditional dedication ceremonies are also performed, with many festival stalls set up with food and games.
