Sapporo In Spring Is Pure Magic: March-May Travel Guide
Last Updated on February 7, 2026 by Audrey
Thinking about visiting Sapporo in spring?
The first time I visited Sapporo, it was on a whim. I was trying to catch the late season cherry blossom blooms since I wouldn’t be able to catch the falling petals in Tokyo. I hadn’t really done any research, and quite frankly, I thought I was making a trip out to the countryside.
Fast forward to today, and I fell in love with Hokkaido. Visiting in spring was AMAZING, and you should do it too! Don’t sleep on visiting Sapporo in the spring time, because it’s one of the most magical places in Japan. You get the big city vibe, but also get to experience authentic hot springs and incredible food without dealing with the crazy crowds of major tourist cities like Tokyo or Kyoto.
In this guide, I’ll break down why you should visit Sapporo in spring, what to expect, and seasonal events and activities to enjoy when the snow melts and the flowers bloom!
Short on time? Use These Shortcuts To Plan Your Sapporo Trip
🏠Book accommodation in Sapporo - My favorite hotel in Sapporo is the Sapporo Stream Hotel in Susukino!
🏔️Book my favorite tour of Hokkaido: I LOVED this tour I went on that takes you to Otaru, Noboribetsu, and Lake Toya!
Sapporo in Spring Travel Guide
Alright, let's break down everything you can enjoy in Sapporo during the springtime.
Is Sapporo worth visiting in spring?
Yes, totally. Do it!
To be technical though, I don’t really recommend visiting Sapporo in March or early April. It's shoulder season, so there's no exciting festivals, and the temperatures are still really cold with snow and rain.
I completely recommend booking a trip to Hokkaido during late April-early May to catch the late cherry blossom bloom. The snow will melt, temperatures will be warmer, and it’ll be much easier to explore the city.
You’ll get to enjoy the serene flowers blooming and taste the freshest seafood without having to wear snow shoes and an extra heavy winter coat.
Late season cherry blossoms
As I said earlier, the primary reason why I went to Sapporo in spring was because we couldn’t visit Japan in March during the typical cherry blossoms bloom in the Kanto region.
Because Hokkaido has a colder climate, the cherry blossoms bloom later here, starting from late April through early May. This is one of the best times to go to Sapporo other than February for the Sapporo Snow Festival.
When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Sapporo?
Expect to catch the cherry blossom blooms between the last two weeks of April to early May.
I recommend keeping an eye on cherry blossom trackers. If there’s a specific park that you plan on visiting, there is usually a Facebook page where they post live updates and photos so you can see whether the cherry blossoms are blooming or not. This is my favorite one here.
Fewer Crowds than Tokyo and Kyoto
Sapporo is also a really big city, but you can enjoy so many activities and attractions here without the overwhelming crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto.
Sometimes when I’m in Tokyo, I feel like a sardine just trying to push through the crowd. It can feel suffocating at times, especially when I’m visiting Shinjuku and Shibuya.
In Sapporo, everything feels so much roomier. The streets are wider, there aren’t as many crowds, and you don’t feel claustrophobic all the time, while still having plenty to see and do.
Amazing Seafood and Produce
Hokkaido has some of the best food in Japan, and you’ll get to enjoy regional dishes you won’t find elsewhere, like lamb barbecue and soup curry.
The seafood here is the best in the country, and it’s a bit cheaper compared to central Japan, which makes eating well in Sapporo even more enjoyable.
My favorite dishes that I enjoyed in Sapporo in spring were lamb barbecue, seafood, and tons of Hokkaido ice cream!
Spring Weather in Sapporo (March to May)
- March - Still super cold and snowy. The highs will be around 32F and lows will be 16 F.
- April - Sapporo will be warming up, but not by much. Highs will be in the 40F, and lows will be 30F.
- May - You’ll get to enjoy sunny days with lots of rain in between. Highs will be in the 60s, but it’ll still be very cold at night with lows of 40-50s.
Things To Do in Sapporo in Spring
Now let’s break down the seasonal stuff that you can enjoy in Sapporo in spring time. If you want a more general list of the best things to do in Sapporo, then you can click here.
Cherry Blossom Viewing (Late April - Early May)
Of course, cherry blossom viewing is the number one thing to do when you’re in Sapporo in May.
Cherry blossom viewing in Japan is so beautiful and everyone enjoys hanami, the traditional custom of enjoying the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms blossoming and falling outside.
Now, I’ll break down the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots. In my opinion, the best places for cherry blossoms will be Moerenuma Park, Nakajima Park, and Hokkaido Shrine.
- Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine - the most popular place to enjoy Hatsumode (New Year) and also a convenient place to see seasonal flower blooms, as Maruyama Park is right next to the shrine. Enjoy cherry blossom trees as you walk around Hokkaido Shrine.
- Moerenuma Park - A unique park made of geometric landscapes like a glass pyramid and sea mountain.1,900 cherry blossoms are planted here.
- Nakajima Park - Just a few minutes train ride away from the City Center, Nakajima Park is a popular area for families to stay in because there are child-friendly activities like a zoo, multiple ponds with boat rentals, and an astronomy building. There are 400 varieties of cherry blossom trees here.
- Takino Suzuran Hillside National park - Usually used for skiing during the winter, flowers bloom all over the 400-hectare site from mid-April. Rather than cherry blossoms, it’s most well known for tulips in late May.
- Yurigahara Park - home to over 6,400 species of flowers and plants, Yurigahara Park is home to the “World Lily Gardens” featuring over 100 types of lilies and the “Lily Train” that runs through the park.
- Sapporo Art Park - This is a huge outdoor art museum where you can enjoy locally sculpted sculptures amongst the forest. Wear comfy shoes, because it’s a hike to see all the sculptures.
Spring Skiing (March-April)
If you visit Sapporo during March or April, you can still enjoy spring skiing around Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai.
Sapporo Teine is closer, around 30 minutes away from Sapporo, on Mt. Teineyama.
🏂 Book a snow package with equipment rentals, transportation, and photography at Sapporo Teine!🏂
Visit the “Boys, Be Ambitious” Statue at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
If you’ve started looking into the history of the city, you may have come across a Mr. William S. Clark, an American professor who played a huge role in the creation of Hokkaido University.
Springtime is the perfect time to visit the lush green hills of Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, where William Clark’s statue stands along with his iconic motto “Boys, be ambitious!” that have become recognized nation-wide.
See Sapporo from Sapporo TV Tower
Odori Park lies in the middle of Sapporo City, and is a huge street park spanning two or three streets.
At one end, you’ll see the iconic red Sapporo TV tower. If you head up to the second floor observatory, you’ll be able to see Odori Park from a bird’s eye view.
This is also where most of the city’s festivities take place, such as the vibrant Sapporo Lilac Festival* from mid-late May. There are 400 lilac trees here, and you can enjoy a wine garden, tea ceremonies, and music festivals to celebrate the city’s favorite flower.
Soak in an Onsen
Hokkaido is a wonderful place to soak in an onsen! While onsen directly in Sapporo’s city center are rare, you can enjoy some authentic amazing hot spring towns in Jozankei and Noboribetsu which are around an hour away.
Click here to read about the best onsen in and near Sapporo.
Take a day trip to Otaru or Lake Toya
Otaru is a super cute port city just 30 minutes from Sapporo and is totally worth a half-day trip. You can click here to learn what to do in Otaru and how to get there from Sapporo.
Lake Toya is about two hours away and is best visited on a full-day tour or if you have a car. It’s known for its beautiful volcanic lake scenery. I visited both of these spots on a full-day tour around Hokkaido, and it was a fantastic way to see Hokkaido’s highlights with limited time.
🗻 Click here to book the highly popular Hokkaido tour that I loved! 🗻
Sapporo Spring Festivals
I briefly touched on this earlier, but when you’re visiting Sapporo during spring you’ll want to keep an eye out for any spring events that are happening. The most popular one will be the Lilac Festival that takes place in Odori Park from mid to late May, but the other festivals are fu .
0n, too!
Shiroi Koibito Illuminations (March)
You may or may not be familiar with Shiroi Koibito cookies, the immensely popular cookies originating from Hokkaido that feature white chocolate made of Hokkaido milk sandwiched between two langue de chat cookies.
The cookies are a good representation of the Western and European cultures that are seen throughout northern Japan. Shiroi Koibito Park also features European influence, and from November until the end of March you can enjoy night illuminations throughout the courtyard.
It’s nice to stop by if you already plan on visiting the park. While you’re there, you can also enjoy a variety of baking classes, decorating your own cookie, or designing a unique cookie tin.
🍫 Book your visit to Shiroi Koibito Park to make your own cookie tin! 🍫
Jozankei Carp Streamer Festival (Mid April - Early May)
The Jozankei Carp Streamer Festival isn’t really an event that you can participate in, but you can enjoy the whimsical koinobori (carp streamers) that hang in celebration of Children’s Day from mid April to early May.
It’s a nice sight especially when the late cherry blossoms start to bloom in Hokkaido, but you don’t really need to make the trek out to Jozankei just to see the carp.
Hiraoka Plum Festival (Late April - Early May)
The plum festival is more of a seasonal occurrence rather than an event. Around 1,200 plum trees blossom around Hiraoka Park in Sapporo, and you’ll get to enjoy plum-flavored products for a limited time.
Sapporo Lilac Festival in Odori Park (Mid-late May)
The lilac is Sapporo’s designated tree, and the Lilac Festival is one of Sapporo’s major festivals that takes place around mid to late May, when the lilac trees bloom.
The festival takes place primarily in Odori Park and Kawashimo Park. Enjoy 400 lilac trees in full bloom, take home saplings, sample wine, enjoy a music festival, and much more!
Well, technically as international visitors we can’t take the sapling home with us, but you can still enjoy the festival atmosphere, stunning purple flowers, and limited edition merchandise.
Where to stay in Sapporo in Spring
I highly recommend staying around Odori Park, Susukino, or Sapporo Station.
Odori Park is central Sapporo, and is close to a lot of the main attractions like Nijo Market, Hokkaido Clock Tower, and Sapporo TV Tower within the city center.
Susukino is the city’s entertainment district, and is my personal favorite area to stay around because of the great restaurants, exciting nightlife, and Tanukikoji Shopping Street, my favorite shopping area in Sapporo.
Lastly, staying around Sapporo Station is best if you’ll be traveling around Hokkaido. There are a ton of great restaurants and shops in the underground station, so it’s also a great area to stay. I’ll share my favorite hotel recommendations below.
Top Pick #1: Mitsui Garden Hotel (Sapporo Station)
Located in the city center and just a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Station, Mitsui Garden is my favorite mid-range hotel.
Image Credit: Expedia
In addition to its convenient location, you’ll enjoy large, comfortable guest rooms, amazing service, English speaking staff, a delicious Western-style breakfast, and a public onsen (with tattoo stickers if you have small tattoos that can be covered up).
It gets tremendously cold in Sapporo, and walking a long trek from the train station to your hotel is not that fun when the wind is whipping icy cold air directly in your face. Convenience is key!
Top Pick #2: Sapporo Stream Hotel (Susukino)
Last time I stayed in Sapporo, I personally chose a hotel in Susukino and loved it! It’s perfect for younger crowds around 20-30s who want to explore the nightlife.
Sapporo Stream Hotel is a brand new hotel with big, modern rooms and stunning views of Sapporo's skyline.
Image Credit: Expedia
While I think the regular guest rooms are already great, if you want to splurge on a premium room, you’ll also get access to a moody, luxurious lounge, a large onsen and sauna, and a rooftop lounge that all feature impressive city views.
What to wear in Sapporo in spring
In general, it’s still going to be pretty cold in Sapporo during the spring.
March is the worst, with snow still falling. You’ll need to pack a thick coat, and bring heat tech and slip resistant/waterproof shoes since you’ll be walking around slippery snow.
In April, the temperatures will be around 10 C (50 F), so bring lots of layers and prepare to deal with a lot of rain.
You’ll finally enjoy sunnier weather in May, but in my personal experience, it still rains a lot and gets very chilly at night. Bring a thick jacket and layers.
What to Eat in Sapporo in Spring
Here are the best foods to enjoy specifically in spring! For a detailed list of all the dishes you should try while in Sapporo, click here.
Genghis Khan Under the Cherry Blossoms
One of my favorite food memories in Sapporo was eating Genghis Khan, a.k.a lamb barbecue, a regional dish specially from Hokkaido.
You can try it at restaurants like the Sapporo Beer Garden or Extreme Salt Cured Genghis Khan in Susukino (where I tried it!), or do it the local way during hanami season by grilling in a park with rented equipment from nearby vendors.
Genghis Khan is just lamb barbecue, prepared in different cuts and marinated in different ways. Make sure to pair it with a Sapporo beer for your first experience!
👍 Pro tip: You can order à la carte or AYCE (all you can eat). For your first time, I recommend buying à la carte. It’s just lamb, so I personally got tired of the taste after two rounds.
Fresh Seafood hairy crab, uni, scallops
Definitely, definitely you have to try Hokkaido’s fresh seafood when you visit. No exceptions, unless you’re like my one American friend who hates all seafood. Even the taste of seaweed is too fishy for her. Hopefully you’re not, though.
Anyway, the seafood in Hokkaido is so fresh, and tastes AMAZING. Plus, it’s cheaper over here than Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka!
I recommend trying their hairy crab, uni, and scallops. While uni is harvested all over the nation, uni from Hokkaido is prized for its exceptionally high quality. It’s rich and creamy, with a hint of sweetness. This heightened flavor could potentially be due to the different ocean environments and the colder waters in northern Japan.
For the best seafood, I recommend visiting Nijo Market near Odori Park. There are tons of stalls featuring fresh seafood that you can choose and have them prepare for you.
Pro tip: after browsing the stalls, slip into the Market alleys. That’s where you’ll find the hole in the wall restaurants that serve amazing donburi! I pair Nijo Market on Day 1 of my 3 day Sapporo itinerary.
Hokkaido Dairy Products
You should really try Hokkaido milk in every single form and product, but soft serve ice cream made from Hokkaido milk is my personal favorite, so I highly recommend you try it while you’re in the region.
If you want to explore other areas of Hokkaido, then you could consider visiting Farm Tomita in Furano, a couple hours away from Sapporo.
Photo Credit: Cindy Bissig on Unsplash
Their lavender ice cream with Hokkaido milk is famous and totally worth trying, but they also have vanilla, white chocolate, and cantaloupe. Farm Tomita is best visited towards June when the lavenders bloom, but there is also a spring field that features poppies and perennials that bloom in mid May.
🪻 Click here to book your day tour to Hokkaido’s famous Lavender Farm! 🪻
You can enjoy Hokkaido products all over Sapporo, though! Bikkuri Donkey is a great chain with delicious soft serve.
Join a bar-hopping tour to visit hidden izakaya
Izakayas are casual Japanese pubs and bars that serve drinks and small dishes in a cozy, intimate setting. They’re popular for casual dining, and you can try authentic Japanese dishes in small servings like yakitori and ramen while you’re there.
The atmosphere is great for unwinding and socializing, and since the spaces are usually smaller, they’re perfect for meeting new people or spending time with someone.
If you’re not sure where to start, I recommend booking this popular bar-hopping tour with a local guide. They’ll take you to some of their favorite izakayas to try Hokkaido specialties and meet locals and other travelers!
How to get around Sapporo
Sapporo’s train system is pretty extensive and thorough, so you definitely don’t need a car while you’re in Sapporo. In fact, I don’t really recommend renting a car while in the city, because driving on the opposite side when you’re in a busy metropolis can be rough.
Use Public Transportation in Sapporo
I recommend grabbing an IC transit card to use the metro station throughout the city. You can either buy it virtually before you go to Japan, or pick up a physical copy from a train station when you arrive.
You can refer to my guide here for my details on how to buy it.
If you plan on visiting other areas of Hokkaido, you could also buy the JR Hokkaido Pass for a few days. This is a train pass for long distance commuting between different cities in Hokkaido, like Sapporo to Hakodate. Keep in mind that you can only pick this pass up when you’re in Hokkaido though!
🚆 Book your Hokkaido Rail Pass on Klook! 🚆
Rent a Car to Explore Hokkaido
If you want to explore other areas beyond Sapporo like Lake Toya and Asahikawa, then renting a car once you leave Sapporo is recommended. Certain areas like Lake Toya don’t have convenient public transportation.
We’ve personally rented a car and driven throughout Japan three times now, and it’s one of our favorite things to do! We book with Orix through Booking.Com. Orix is a very reliable company in Japan, and I recommend them.
🚗 Click here to book your rental car with Orix via Booking! 🚗
Sapporo Spring Itinerary
When I visited Sapporo for the first time, I went in late April to May. Here’s a sample itinerary that follows exactly what I did while I was there.
While this is a short and simple version, if you want all the details, then I recommend clicking here to read my itinerary post in full detail.
Day 1 - Cherry blossom viewing at Hokkaido Shrine, Sapporo TV Tower, Sapporo Clock Tower, Hokkaido University, Susukino
Day 2 - Hokkaido Museum, Sapporo Beer Museum or Shiroi Koibito Park, Tanukikioji Shopping Arcade, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Mount Moiwa
Day 3 - Full day tour around Hokkaido (Otaru, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya)
Pro tip: If you have an extra day or two, go on to visit Hakodate! The cherry blossoms at Goryokaku Park are STUNNING! You can see my favorite things to do in Hakodate by clicking here.
Sapporo in Spring FAQs
Conclusion: Sapporo in Spring
So now you know that Sapporo in spring is a hidden gem and totally worth visiting! It was honestly one of my favorite times to visit. It’s often overshadowed by the Snow Festival in February, but seeing soft cherry blossoms fall while walking around Odori Park feels magical in a completely different way.
If you need more ideas for what to do while you’re there, you can check out my 3 day and 5 day Sapporo itineraries. I hope you fall in love with the city just as much as I did! If you need any help, feel free to email me at audrey@getlostinjapan.com!
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