For those starting in the capital, lilac flowers are the official city flower celebrated annually by the Sapporo Lilac Festival. Held in the second half of May each year, for many locals, the purple blooms signal the end of a long winter with over 400 trees in Odori Park blooming. On the first day of the festival, visitors are gifted lilac seedlings and can enjoy live music and try various street-food and drinks.
Cherry blossoms bloom in Hokkaido in early May, blanketing streets with floral snow. One of the best places to view them is Asahiyama Park, which has 2,300 Yezo Mountain Cherry Trees that bloom along extensive walking tracks. Alternatively, cherry blossom viewing can be enjoyed in the traditional way with drinks and snacks under the cover of pale pink blooms. Located in the second largest city of Hokkaido, Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa is a great accommodation option and offers a convenient base to explore the blooms of Furano and Biei to the south. The city itself is also worth experiencing, with the local area providing a plethora of vibrant restaurants and an opportunity to connect with local Japan.
Asahikawa acts as a gateway to Route 237 - Hokkaido’s Flower Road. With rolling hills and a known hub for nature, it comes as no surprise that Biei comes alive when the climate warms. The largest flower farm in the area is Shikisai No Oka, and despite the old adage ‘quality over quantity’, the sheer quantity of flowers creates panoramic expanses of colour that would impress anyone. Due to the many varieties of flowers, Shikisai no Oka is open from April to October. Visit in June for poppies, July for sunflowers, and in September for the dahlias. Bicycles and buggy carts are available to explore the seven hectare expanse of floral paradise.
Venture further along the route to Farm Tomita in Furano, famed for its patchwork of flower blooms that sit against the backdrop of the Tokachi mountain range. The mountains are still coated in snow in May when blooms such as poppies and violas unfurl. In addition, Furano is held in high esteem for its melons - make sure you sample their quality while in the area! The same road will take you towards Lake Kanayama, which sits amidst mountains and lush forestry and is surrounded by deep lavender blooms in July.
If you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay in this proximity, consider Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. Known as a family-friendly ski resort but also open during the summer months, the world class facilities offer dramatic scenery of the surrounding peaks and lush green forests. The 20 dining options, indoor wave pool and outdoor hot baths, in addition to other activities, provide the variance needed on such a trip through Hokkaido. From April 27th to May 10th, ‘A Blooming Tomamu’ event will see the hotels’ courtyard strewn with flower petals and ‘Blossoming Street’ will see a 90m street coloured with floral arrangements and designs, framed by the backdrop of the mountains. Make sure to celebrate the arrival of spring by participating in these floral festivities!
We acknowledge the current ambiguity regarding travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and encourage all travelers to follow official health advice and closely monitor government advisories. In this unprecedented and evolving situation, we hope the destinations featured in this media release can act as a source of inspiration for those seeking new experiences and adventures to embark upon when it is safe to recommence travelling.
About Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU
Surrounded by 1,000 hectares of vast nature, Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU is one of Hokkaido’s largest resorts to enjoy sightseeing and activities in the Tomamu region, all year round. In winter, it is regarded as Japan’s most family-friendly ski resort with its convenient ski-in ski-out accommodation and world class facilities. With high-quality dry powder snow gracing a diverse terrain, the resort caters to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. During the summer, guests can further explore the region through a variety of outdoor activities including river sports, cycling and hot air balloon rides, and witness a beautiful “sea of clouds” from the UNKAI Terrace. For more information visit: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/winter/en/
About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts was established as a family business in 1904 and has grown into one of the largest Japanese-owned and operated resort brands with 41 resorts across Japan and two resorts in Bali, Indonesia and Guguan, Taiwan. As Japan’s premier resort company, Hoshino Resorts specialises in operating Japan ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) and hotels and offers unique Japanese cultural experiences specific to each region. The company remains proudly family-owned, offering a diverse range of Japanese accommodation, cuisine and culture to visitors.
Website: www.hoshinoresorts.com/en/
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