Let’s Go See Kushiro’s Cherry Blossoms, the Grand Finale of the Cherry Blossom Front!

The cherry blossom front starts in Kagoshima around March, and its final destination is eastern Hokkaido! Every year, the blossoms bloom around May, marking the arrival of a late spring. Here are some recommended spots where you can enjoy Kushiro’s beloved cherry blossoms.

· Kushiro's Cherry Blossom Story - Chapter 1:http://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/kushiroakanwp/wp-content/uploads/9487ba927780077532619cf46aa796e9.pdf

Kushiro Boasts Seven Varieties of Cherry Blossoms!

The specimen tree that signals the arrival of cherry blossoms in Kushiro is the Ezo-Yamazakura, naturally growing in Tsurugadai Park. This is the most common cherry blossom variety in Hokkaido, known for its vivid color compared to those in Honshu. In Kushiro, six other varieties of cherry blossoms can be seen. Among them, the Kushiroyae, a derivative of the Ezo-Yamazakura, is a rare and stunning variety with around 40 layered petals. The Tsurukikusakura, a mutation of the Kushiroyae, boasts over 100 petals. Other varieties include the Chishimazakura, a low-growing tree whose petal color changes depending on its location, the Miyamazakura, which blooms in clusters of small white flowers, and the Shiurizakura, with numerous tiny white flowers hanging gracefully from its branches. Additionally, the Ezono-uwamizuzakura, which resembles the Shiurizakura, is unique to Hokkaido and cannot be found elsewhere in Japan.

Kushiro's Cherry Blossom Season

In the past, Kushiro’s cherry blossom season began in mid-May. However, possibly due to global warming, the blooming announcement has tended to come earlier, with the blossoms blooming in early May in 2021 and 2022 on May 8th, in 2023 on May 1st, and in 2024 on May 3rd.

The specimen tree Ezo-Yamazakura in Yanagimachi Park starts blooming in early May, while the Kushiroyae, a species unique to Kushiro, reaches full bloom around mid-May.

References
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Japan Meteorological Agency Homepage Cherry Blossom Blooming Dates (2021-2024)
https://www.data.jma.go.jp/sakura/data/sakura003_07.html

Japan Weather Association Cherry Blossom Blooming & Full Bloom Information
https://tenki.jp/sakura/

Google Maps - Kushiro Yanagimachi Park Sakura Specimen Tree
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kCGfZRjaBVkfGgKb8

Cherry Blossom Bus Tour

In 2024, the Kushiro Cherry Blossom Festival was held from mid to late May at Yanagimachi Park.

Additionally, on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, the Kushiro Tourism & Convention Bureau organized the "Kushiroyae Sightseeing Bus Tour." Participants enjoyed viewing Kushiroyae blossoms and a special tour-exclusive bento lunch.
More bus tours are planned for the future.

Yanagimachi Park

Number of trees: About 1,500
Varieties: Kushiroyae, Chishimazakura, Ezo-Yamazakura, Tsurukikusakura

· Yanagimachi Park:https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/machi/kouen/1004517/1004563/1004564.html

Harutori Park

Number of trees: About 800
Varieties: Uwamizuzakura, Ezoyamazakura, Kushiroyae, Miyamazakura, Shiurizakura

· Kushiro City Official Website - Harutori Park:https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/machi/kouen/1004517/1004529/1004530.html

Tsurugadai Park

Number of trees: About 230
Varieties: Kushiroyae, Chishimazakura, Ezoyamazakura

· Kushiro City Official Website - Tsurugadai Park:https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/machi/kouen/1004517/1004536/1004539.html

Kayano Park

Number of trees: About 400
Varieties: Ezoyamazakura

· Kushiro City Official Website - Kayano Park:https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/machi/kouen/1004517/1004523/1004524.html

Red Beret

Number of trees: About 100
Varieties: Kushiroyae, Ezoyamazakura

· Akan Tancho no Sato Onsen. An Onsen for Beautiful Skin. Red Beret:http://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/stay/4101/

Onbetsu Town, Ikoi no Mori

Number of trees: About 280
Varieties: Ezoyamazakura, Kushiroyae, Chishimazakura

· Kushiro City Official Website - Onbetsu Town, Ikoi no Mori Campground & Fureai no Mori:https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/machi/kouen/1004517/1004603/1004594.html