Maruyama Park is the most popular spot in Sapporo for viewing cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Additionally, you can enjoy delightful cafes and sweets in the surrounding area.
Cherry Blossom Viewing in Maruyama Park: The Ohanami Experience
Maruyama Park is one of the most popular spots in Sapporo for viewing cherry blossoms. Typically, cherry blossom viewing in Sapporo begins in early May, during what is known as “Golden Week” throughout Japan.
However, due to recent climate changes, the cherry blossoms have started blooming earlier, around the end of April, for the past two to three years. In Maruyama Park, the cherry blossoms now begin to bloom about two weeks earlier than before, indicating an earlier arrival of spring.
Previously, you could enjoy Genghis Khan (a type of barbecue) and other barbecues in the park only during this period, but it is now prohibited. Even though barbecuing is no longer allowed, you can still fully enjoy hanami (flower viewing). If you visit Sapporo during this season, be sure to check it out.
History of Maruyama Park
Yoshitake Shima (島義勇) is credited as one of the founders of Sapporo city during the Meiji era, around the 1870s. He served as a development magistrate of Hokkaido and made significant contributions to the development of both Sapporo and Hokkaido before being dismissed after just 100 days.
Following his dismissal, Shima returned to his hometown in Saga prefecture and became involved in plotting the Saga revolt against the government alongside his associate, Shinpachi Eto. However, their rebellion failed, and both were subsequently beheaded and publicly displayed.
Despite the deep gratitude felt by Sapporo citizens towards Shima, they were unable to publicly praise his contributions due to his rebellion against the Meiji government. Senkichi Fukutama, who had served as Shima’s assistant and local guide, decided to honor his memory by planting 150 cherry blossom trees along the shrine’s path.
These cherry blossom trees have flourished over the years, and Maruyama Park has become a renowned spot for cherry blossom viewing in Sapporo. The park boasts a variety of cherry blossom species, including Ezo-yamazakura, Somei-yoshino, Kasumi-zakura, and Miyama-zakura. The diversity of cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park was highly appreciated by Ph.D. Manabu Miyoshi of Tokyo University at that time.
Historical pictures from the Meiji era depict numerous people enjoying the cherry blossoms and engaging in lively, often boisterous celebrations, a scene that continues to this day in Maruyama Park.
In the past, there was a designated cherry blossom tree in Maruyama Park for observing the first blooms. Since 2012, this tree has been replaced with one located in the Sapporo Meteorological Observatory Garden.
Shima was granted a general amnesty in 1889 and recognized for his significant contributions to Sapporo and Hokkaido. A monument honoring his memory stands in the park, and a bronze statue of him can be found at Hokkaido Jingu. Locals affectionately referred to him as “Hangan-sama.” Rokkatei, a renowned Hokkaido sweets company, offers a Japanese confectionery called “Hangan-sama (判官さま)” which can be found in the shrine’s rest house. This confectionery is a soft rice cake with azuki beans and buckwheat flour, available exclusively at the rest house and the nearby Rokkatei Maruyama shop.
The cherry blossom trees in Maruyama Park, which Yoshitake Shima helped establish, have been beloved by locals for over a century.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy walking in the Maruyama primeval forest adjacent to the park. You can explore the small mountain called Mt. Maruyama and discover a small temple hidden behind the woods, serving as the entrance to Maruyama Hachijyu Hakkasho (円山八十八箇所). It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the summit of Mt. Maruyama.
Access
- Take a Tozai-line to Maruyama park(円山公園) and 5min walk
Parking
- no parking in Maruyama park
- It is available for free 30minutes parking for a visitor to the shrine to park Hokkaido Jingu parking lot.
Minami-ichijo Parking
This is the best, because Kita-ichijo parking is usually crowded especially some events are held at the Jingu. You’d better to enter the parking from the direction of Maruyama Zoo.
Kita-ichijo parking
Usually very crowded on new years day or holiday and weekend. You may wait more than hours. Go to Minami-ichijo parking. Even if new years day, you can park less than 30 minutes.
Around Maruyama Park
Hokkaido Jingu
Hokkaido Jingu is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Sapporo. Hokkaido Jingu(shrine) is located at the west end of downtown Sapporo, called “Maruyama(円山)”.
Starbucks Coffee Maruyama
Across the Miyanosawa-dori, north side of Maruyama Park. Another Starbucks is in Maruyama Class.
French Restaurant Moliere
Michelin guide 3 stars restaurant.
Maruyama Hachijyu-Hakkasho
This is a small mountain climbing. It takes about 40 minutes to the top of the Mt.Maruyama. You have to prepare especially your shoes, trekking shoes or climbing shoes better. The area, ‘Maruyama Genshirin’ 円山原始林 is primeval forest. You can experience an untouched forest left in the urban city.
Maruyama Zoo
The Zoo is located to the opposite side of Hokkaido Shrine. As you leave behind the Shrine, take the right side path to the parking for Urasando. Through the parking, you will see the small building of Maruyama Hachijyu-Hakkasho in the woods. Then you go up to the right way for Maruyama Zoo. It takes within 5 minutes by walk. Maruyama Zoo has been renovating its old facilities so that many people have been coming back here not only families but also young couples. Asahiyama Zoo in the city of Asahikawa became the most famous zoo in Japan. But Maruyama Zoo has been making efforts for presentations recently. Very fun!
Maruyama Baseball Stadium 円山球場
Next to the Shrine, amateur baseball games take place here such as the high school baseball games. It has over 70 years-history so that many professional baseball games were held here before Sapporo Dome was built.
Maruyama athletic field 円山競技場
Next to the Maruyama Baseball Stadium. In winter, you can play skating. There are rental equipments for skating.
Miyakoshiya Coffee Shop 宮越屋珈琲
When you come back to the subway station, you may drop in at the coffee shop. Walking down along with the ‘Urasando’, you will find a chic building.
see Miyakoshiya Coffee Shop WEB site (no english site)
Rokkatei 六花亭
This is one of the most well-known old-established store in Hokkaido. The shop is so familiar that it’s crowded all the time. They have not only some old fashioned Japanese cakes but also new modern sweets.
coffee shop : 10:30-18:00
Maruyama Class 円山クラス
Starbucks Coffee, Miyabun(宮文) blade shop, Fashion, Foods, Interior, Books, Restaurants, 100 yen shop are there.
MORIHICO.(森彦) Coffee & Something
Morihico is one of the best coffee shop in not only Sapporo but also Hokkaido or Japan. Since 1996, Morihico has started a small coffee shop in Maruyama which is the old wooden house. The founder, Sosuke Ichikawa renovated the house and opened as a coffee shop. Now his coffee has been growing up as a NO.1 coffee in Sapporo. This is the memorial first coffee shop. Enjoy and relax taking a break here.
Yoneya 米屋
Old-fashioned Japanese sweets, called ‘Wagashi(和菓子)’. Yoneya is one of the old-established store in Sapporo. If you want some Japanese traditional sweets, this is the best. It’s worth visiting.
Photos of Four Seasons
Autumn
Winter
