[Maruyama Park in Sapporo] Historical Park Has Hokkaido-jingu Shrine with Place Famous for Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Apricot Blossoms and Maruyama Zoo

Cherry Forest and Virgin Forest

About 160 cherry trees such as Yezo Mountain Cherry Tree and Yoshino Cherry Tree are planted in the Maruyama Park, and virgin trees such as Mongolian Oak and Japanese Judas Tree grow naturally. In the forest, squirrel and wild birds can be seen, and a lot of local people often walk through the trees while forest bathing. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late April to early May, and the best time to view the fall foliage is from mid October to late October. A use of fire permitted at the park only during golden week holidays, and a lot of people have barbecues and Jingisukan party around an entrance of the Maruyama Park. Hanami party will get really lively while enjoying cherry blossoms. Admission free. A paid parking lot is provided.

Atmosphere of Maruyama Park Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Maruyama Park

Hokkaido-jingu Shrine

Hokkaido-jingu Shrine (北海道神宮) in the northern part of the Maruyama park is the biggest Shinto shrine in Hokkaido, and 800,000 new year's visitors, the most new year's visitors in Hokkaido, visit here. This shrine is popular with overseas visitors, too, and tourists come all over the world. It was founded in 1869, and used to be called Sapporo Shrine (札幌神社) in old days. Okunitama-no-kami (大国魂神), Onamuji-no-kami (大那牟遅神), Sukunabikona-no-kami (少彦名神) and Emperor Meiji (明治天皇) are enshrined. Cherry tree are planted along the front approach to the shrine of about 200 m in length, and the cherry branches looks a cherry blossom tunnel in the spring, and those looks a snow tunnel in the winter, too. The views are very good. Rokkatei Jinguchaya Branch (六花亭神宮茶屋店) is built on the site, too, and is often crowded with the tourists. Hokkaido-jingu Shrine Festival (北海道神宮例祭) is held in mid June. Admission free. The parking lot is charged.

Movie of Hokkaido-jingu Shrine Festival

Japanese Apricot Blossoms and Cherry Blossoms of Hokkaido-jingu Shrine

Hokkaido-jingu Shrine has Japanese apricot forest (梅林 * Bairin) near the front approach to the shrine, and is well-known as a place famous for the Japanese apricot blossoms. About 250 Japanese apricot trees such as Bungo Ume (豊後梅), Kobai (紅梅) and Ominato (大湊) are planted on the site of 7,272 m2, and about 1,400 cherry trees such as Yezo Mountain Cherry Tree, Yoshino Cherry Tree and Double Cherry Tree as well as the Japanese apricot are planted there, too. Both blossoms that people can not really see this kind of view in most places of Japan can be enjoyed from early May to mid May at the same time. The bairin is the largest scale together with Hiraoka park in the Sapporo. About 40 food stalls open on shrine's area during the flowering season, too, and the Hokkaido-jingu Shrine get lively. Hanami parties are held here and there. Temporary restrooms are built more, too. Open from 08:00 to 20:00. Admission free. The parking lot is charged.

Walks are built at the Bairin, and the vitiors savor both blossoms along the walks. The time it takes to look around the Bairin as much as you like is around 1 hour. White blossoms and pink blossoms are very beautiful! A lot of the tourists come, and shout for joy here and there. The green grass goes well with pink blossoms or white blossoms. Please enjoy a conbination of the cherry blossoms and the Japanese apricot blossoms only in the northern country.

Maruyama Zoo

Maruyama Zoo (円山動物園) is a zoo built in 1951 in Maruyama Park (円山公園) located in the west part of Sapporo's downtown, and is the oldest zoo in Hokkaido, and is adjacent to Hokkaido Shrine (北海道神宮) and Maruyama Baseball Stadium (円山球場). About 800,000 people visit here, and is the 2nd popular zoo after Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) in the Hokkaido. The Asahiyama Zoo is the most popular zoo in the Hokkaido at present, but the Maruyama zoo originally used to be the most popular zoo. Because they improve a way to display of animals, the Maruyama Zoo is planning to become more attractive zoo in future. 184 types of about 950 animals are bred in February 28, 2014. Article is here

Atmosphere of Maruyama Zoo Can Be Watched on Youtube.

Movie of Maruyama Zoo

Mt. Maruyama Hiking

The Mt. Maruyama is covered with virgin forests designated as a natural monument, and Japanese Judas trees grow at the foot of the mountain, and Mongolian oak trees grow around the top of the mountain, and Japanese linden trees and Acer pictum trees grow at the mountainside. Large trees grow naturally here and there, and visitors may feel the great natural environment of vitality. Hiking is popular, and 2 trails, Maruayama Hachijūhakkasho Course (円山八十八カ所ルート) of about 1 km length and Zoo Course (動物園ルート) of about 800 m length, are built, and the mountain has 3 trailheads, Maruayama Hachijūhakkasho Trailhead (円山八十八カ所登山口 * Northern Trailhead), Zoo Trailhead (動物園登山口 * Westrn Trailhead) and Maruyama Nishi-machi Trailhead (円山西町入口). Most of hikers go at the moountain through the Maruayama Hachijūhakkasho Trailhead nearest a subway station. A restroom is not built near the trailheads, so the hikers had better use public restrooms near an entrance of the Maruyama Park. Article is here

Maruyama Athletic Field

Maruyama Athletic Field (円山総合運動場) is in the northwest part of the Maruyama Park, and Maruyama Baseball Stadium (円山球場), an athletic field, Tennis courts and a skating rink are built. It is well-known as performed places for finals of various athletic meetings in Hokkaido, and it may be said that it is an existence just like sacred places for athletes of Hokkaido. Admission is charged. The parking lot is charged.