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Hokkaido park’s 'sakura on the ground' are breathtaking reason to venture beyond Sapporo

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By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, is latitudinally different enough from the rest of the country that its seasons change later. So while the Tokyo area is getting ready for the early-summer rainy season to start, spring is finally getting into full swing in Hokkaido.

Most visitors to the island plan their itinerary around the Sapporo to Hakodate route, but if you’re willing to venture into the eastern section of Hokkaido, called the Doto area, there’s some truly breathtaking scenery waiting for you in Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park.

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Technically, these gorgeous flowers are a kind of phlox. In Japan, though, they’re called shibazakura, meaning “lawn cherry blossoms,” due to their beautiful shades of pink that bring to mind the sakura which bloom on trees each spring.

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As we mentioned above, Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park is a bit out of the way, with the closest airport being not Hokkaido’s main air hub of New Chitose, but rather the regional Memanbetsu Airport. As added bonuses, Memanbetsu is also the ideal airport to fly into if you’re headed to the wilderness of the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or to hike Mt Mokoto.

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According to the park’s website, right now is the ideal time to see the shibazakura. As a matter of fact, there’s even a Shibazakura Festival going on until June 3, featuring live music performances and food booths selling local Hokkaido delicacies.

Park information

Higashi Mokoto Shibazakura Park / ひがしもこと芝桜公園

Address: Hokkaido, Abashiri-gun, Ozora-cho, Suehiro 393

北海道網走郡大空町東藻琴末広393

Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Website

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Japan travel bucket list: top places to visit in each prefecture before you die【Part I】

-- Looking for a new favourite animal? Take your pick from these six adorable Hokkaido natives

-- 15 million flowers are in beautiful bloom right now at Saitama’s field of Heavenly Poppies

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

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Thank you for the beautiful photos. Don't think I'll ever go there.

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