Sapporo: Full Bloom

Following on from yesterday's visit to Hakodate, today I traveled further northeast to Hokkaido's capital of Sapporo to check in on the cherry blossoms at two of the city's best loved viewing spots. Both of today's sites feature the slightly earlier blooming variety of Ezo Yamazakura more prominently than the Somei Yoshino type that is by far the most common overall throughout Japan, with the former already a few days into full bloom while the latter is just now reaching it.

While the blossoms were looking very full and attractive in today's warm and sunny weather, heavy rain is predicted from tonight and all through tomorrow that will likely have a big impact on the Ezo Yamazakura and shorten its season. The Somei Yoshino blossoms meanwhile should still be young and fresh enough to remain at their best into the later part of this week.

My first stop of the day was at a Odori Park, a broad, grassy strip stretching twelve blocks across the middle of the city with a few cherry blossom trees dotted along its length. Here, the Ezo Yamazakura - easily identified by its vibrant pink blossoms and coppery leaves that develop at the same time - was well into full bloom, with a few petals falling here and there only adding to the scene.

My second and final visit today was to Maruyama Park, a pleasant wooded space located about three kilometers west of the city center. One of the city's most popular spots for hanami parties, the park had a lively, festive atmosphere with groups of picnickers in the Chokotto Play Park and visitors packing the avenues leading to Hokkaido Jingu.

Here, the overall picture seemed slightly behind that of Odori Park, with the Ezo Yamazakura looking a little more fresh and thick, while the Somei Yoshino in some places was still just shy of full bloom.

Today's report brings our coverage of this cherry blossom season to a close. Our seasonal reports will resume from September with the beginning of this year's Autumn colors.