1. Activity: Cherry Blossoms at Maruyama Park & Hokkaido Shrine
Sakura Season comes late in the North 🌸
While the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) usually peak in late March in Tokyo, Hokkaido has a different schedule. Because it’s in the north, the Sakura season here starts in late April to early May.
We visited Maruyama Park at the end of April, and it was perfect timing! Even if you miss the Sakura in Tokyo or Kyoto, you can still catch the beautiful “Late Bloom” here in Sapporo. It feels like getting a second chance at spring.
A short subway ride took us to Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine. The contrast between the massive wooden Torii gate and the delicate pink cherry blossoms was breathtaking. Unlike the humid spring in Tokyo, the air here was crisp and refreshing.
Don’t miss the Street Food! 🍢 The path to the shrine was lined with Festival Food Stalls (Yatai). Grabbing a hot Yakisoba or Grilled Corn and eating it under the blossoms—this is the authentic Japanese way to enjoy Hanami!
🚇 How to get to Maruyama Park (Hokkaido Shrine)
The easiest way is to take the Subway Tozai Line (Orange Line).
- From Susukino / Sapporo Station:
- Take the Namboku Line (Green) to Odori Station.
- Transfer to the Tozai Line (Orange) heading towards Miyanosawa.
- Get off at “Maruyama Koen” Station (T06).
- It is only 3 stops from Odori Station (approx. 5 min).
- Exit & Walk:
- Take Exit 3 or Exit 2 for the park.
- Walk straight for about 5-10 minutes through the park to reach the massive Torii gate of Hokkaido Shrine.
- Note: The path can be snowy/slippery in April, so wear comfortable shoes!
2. Lunch: “Machi-no-Sushiya Shiki Hanamaru” – Authentic Counter Sushi
Instead of waiting in line for 4 hours at the famous conveyor belt sushi, we went to their sister brand: “Machi-no-Sushiya” (Town Sushi Shop) in Susukino. Unlike the conveyor belt style, this place offers a relaxed counter and table service where chefs make sushi right in front of you. The best part? The price is almost the same as their conveyor belt shops! It’s a true hidden gem where you can enjoy high-quality scallops and fisherman’s soup without the crazy long wait. This is the smartest way to eat sushi in Sapporo.
It’s interesting to see how sushi culture has evolved in North America. People used to love crazy “Rolls” with sauce (people in Vancouver still love them!), and now, foodies in CA and NY believe that expensive “Omakase” is the only authentic sushi.
But here is the local truth: Japanese people actually love casual gourmet sushi (like Kaiten sushi or local town sushi)! Especially in Hokkaido, the quality at these casual spots is on a completely different level. It rivals high-end restaurants in Tokyo.
ℹ️ Info Box（店舗情報）
Machi-no-Sushiya Shiki Hanamaru (Susukino Branch)
Address: 2F Recolte Sapporo, 4-2-4 Minami 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Reservation:Accepted. (Highly recommended!)
Unlike the conveyor belt branches, you can book a table here.
Traveler’s Tip: This isn’t a conveyor belt sushi, but a proper sit-down restaurant run by the famous “Hanamaru” brand. It accepts reservations, making it a perfect alternative to the overcrowded Stellar Place branch.
3. Dinner: The Lamb Chop Revelation at “Yamaka”
For dinner, we went to a local favorite, Yamaka. Their lamb was excellent, especially the lamb chops! To be honest, they were SO good that I completely forgot to take a picture… 😅 So, please enjoy these photos from their official Instagram instead to see how amazing it looks!
Restaurant Info Box: Yamaka (Genghis Khan)
Sumiyaki Genghis Khan Yamaka
- Address: 1F Plaza 6.4 Bldg, 4-1 Minami 6-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Reservation:Accepted & Highly Recommended.
- Seating is in 3 shifts: 17:00 / 19:00 / 21:15 (for tables), 17:00 / 18:40 / 20:30 (for counters).
- Traveler’s Tip (Important):
- Adults Only: This is a smoking establishment, so guests under 20 years old are NOT allowed to enter by Japanese law.
4. Dessert: The Final Parfait
Before leaving Sapporo, we honored the local tradition one last time with a ‘Shime-Parfait’ at the station. Since Hokkaido is Japan’s dairy capital, the soft-serve ice cream is rich, creamy, and unforgettable.
Cafe Info Box: Milk & Parfait White Cosy
Milk & Parfait Yotsuba White Cosy (Sapporo Stellar Place)
- Address: B1F Sapporo Stellar Place Center, 2-5 Kita 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Access: Directly connected to JR Sapporo Station (Center Basement Floor).
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (L.O. 8:00 PM)
- Reservation: Not Accepted. Be prepared for a line, as it is extremely popular.
- Traveler’s Tip:
- Early Closing: Unlike other “Night Parfait” spots that stay open until late, this cafe closes at 9:00 PM. It is perfect for an afternoon break or an early dessert after dinner.
- Authentic Dairy: Run by “Yotsuba,” a famous Hokkaido dairy company. Their soft-serve ice cream is incredibly rich and milky.
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