The Best Shibazakura Spots in Hokkaido

Japan is well known for providing some amazingly beautiful flowers, with some of the most famous flower fields of them all lying in the Furano area of Hokkaido.  Famous for cherry blossoms (or sakura), and lavender or tulip fields, these Instagrammable spots have been drawing in more and more crowds as time goes by.  But did you know about the shibazakura flowers?

Shibazakura, more commonly know to the English tongue as pink moss (phlox moss), is a true wonder.  A carpet of pink covers the hills that really stands out in contrast to the blue sky.  It looks almost as if the grass has been sprayed pink, but I assure you that it is actually just many many very small, and very saturated (but very REAL) flowers.

If you’re coming to Japan during May or June, seeing Shibazakura in Hokkaido is a huge recommendation for you to add to your itinerary.  So make sure you come to one (if not all) of these locations to see them!

A huge park located in Abashiri, East Hokkaido.  Usually this is the most popular spot to visit in Hokkaido for shibazakura, but I expect that the absence of so many tourists this year will make next years blooming season even more special 🙂

There is usually a Shibazakura festival held here as well where you can try some local foods and other local products as you surf through the sea of pink.

We sometimes get asked if it’s possible to do a day trip here from Sapporo, however to Abashiri is about a 5hr drive each way.  We definitely can take you here in the 2021~ season(s), but be prepared for an overnight stay (minimum).  East Hokkaido has some of our most favorite nature spots, so be prepared to be wow’d!  If you’re keen to tour here with us then let us know and we’ll be sure to add all the other good stuff as well to your itinerary 🙂

Beautiful fluffy-looking pink slopes, open for you to explore at your leisure.  About a 2hr drive from Asahikawa, this option is a little easier to get to from Sapporo, however would benefit from a one night stay either around the area or in Asahikawa.

Even after going here many times, we still are wow’d from the park’s beauty 🙂

Mr. Mishima’s garden is one of the best spots in Niseko, and although this is not actually a public location, he kindly opens it up for visitors to see.   You can gaze at Mt Yotei as you stroll through the rolling pink hills.  Although this spot is the smallest of the 3 locations we’ve mentioned, the view of Mt Yotei really makes up for that fact.  There are so many things to see and do in the Niseko area, making this an easy choice for most Hokkaido visitors.

Although there’s no direct bus to this location, being in Niseko, and therefore only a few hours drive away from Sapporo, this makes it the easiest shibazakura park to get to.