Hakodate Flower Spot Guide | Four Seasons Flower Spectacular and Blooming Calendar

Hakodate is renowned as a flower destination, with seasonal floral landscapes set against Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Mountain as its charm. Centered around Hakodate Mountain, with flower spots scattered throughout the city, one of Hakodate's distinctive features is the ability to enjoy flowers continuously from spring through winter. Being relatively warm within Hokkaido with an average summer temperature around 22 degrees Celsius, these climatic conditions nurture a diverse array of flowers, attracting many flower enthusiasts and photographers each year. From the Bay Area to the Goryokaku Area, scenic walking routes where different flowers bloom depending on the season have been developed. This article provides a comprehensive guide to Hakodate's must-see flower spots and their best seasons.

Spring Cherry Blossoms and Plum Blossoms in Competition

Hakodate's spring begins with plum blossoms and the baton is passed to cherry blossoms. The area around Hakodate Mountain is Hakodate's foremost cherry blossom spot, where Ezo cherry blossoms and Somei Yoshino bloom all at once in early May. The sight of approximately hundreds of cherry trees blooming simultaneously is spectacular, and the moment when petals dance in the wind—the "cherry blossom snow"—is breathtakingly beautiful. Around Kanmori Red Brick Warehouse, you can also enjoy a plum grove, with white and red plums releasing their sweet fragrance from late February through mid-March. During the period when nighttime cherry blossom illumination is implemented, you can enjoy the fantastical scenery from around 6 PM to 9 PM, making evening visits also recommended.

Early Summer Hydrangeas and Rose Gardens

During the rainy season, hydrangeas color Hakodate. There is a famous hydrangea spot in the Motomachi Area, where the blue, purple, and pink gradations shine even more vividly when wet with rain. The best viewing period is from mid-June to early July, and the hydrangeas' beauty stands out especially on gentle rainy days. Walking with an umbrella has a certain charm, and you can also enjoy close-up photography of rain-dropped flowers by attaching a waterproof cover to your camera. At the same time, rose gardens reach their peak, and near Goryokaku Tower, the rose garden displays over 100 varieties of roses in bloom. Many facilities charge from free to around 300 yen for admission, making it easy to enjoy the flowers.

Summer Sunflowers and Lotus Flowers

Mid-summer Hakodate is colored by sunflowers that face the sun and pure lotus flowers. The sunflower fields on the outskirts of the Goryokaku Area reach full bloom from late July through mid-August, and the sight of a field of yellow flowers is spectacular. Photography around early morning at 6 AM is recommended, with sunflowers glistening in morning dew capturing especially beautiful shots. Lotus flowers can be enjoyed in ponds near Hakodate Mountain from July through August, opening in early morning and closing at noon, making morning visits essential. Since summers in Hokkaido are cool, the charm is being able to enjoy flower fields like lavender that are not seen in mainland Japan.

Autumn Cosmos and Autumn Leaves in Harmony

Autumn is the season when Hakodate's floral landscapes become even more vibrant. From late September through mid-October, cosmos reaches its peak, and in the flower fields around the Daimon area, pink and white cosmos sway in the wind creating a fantastical scenery. The composition with Tsugaru Strait and Hakodate Mountain reflected in the background of the cosmos field is a popular photo spot known as a scenic Hakodate vista. From late October, autumn leaves and fall flowers perform together, and around the Trappistine Convent, there arrives a luxurious period where you can simultaneously enjoy maple and ginkgo autumn foliage along with autumn roses and chrysanthemums. Local agricultural direct sales shops sometimes hold cosmos festivals, allowing you to enjoy both flowers and food at once.

Practical Flower Viewing Information and Recommended Routes

To efficiently tour Hakodate's flower spots, it is recommended to organize a half-day course centered on the season's main spots. In spring, visiting cherry blossoms on Hakodate Mountain early in the day, having lunch at the Bay Area, and enjoying plum blossoms and wildflowers around the Kanmori Red Brick Warehouse in the afternoon is a popular route. Access is convenient with approximately 20 minutes by car from Hakodate Airport to the city, and approximately 20 minutes from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station by Shinkansen to Hakodate. When photographing flowers, overcast days are recommended as they produce soft light that brings out flower colors beautifully. Utilizing rental bicycles or sightseeing buses allows you to efficiently tour a wide range of flower spots. Blooming conditions are updated regularly on Hakodate Tourism Association's website and SNS, so checking before departure will help you visit at the perfect timing.