Asahiyama Memorial Park (旭山記念公園) is a public park located between Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Maruyama. It’s famous for Japanese cherry blooms and Sapporo cityscape views with a rich natural environment, great for families to walk in nature.
Table of Contents
About Asahiyama Memorial Park
In 1970, Asahiyama Memorial Park opened to commemorate Sapporo’s 100th anniversary, located between Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Maruyama.
During 1966-1972, there were 5,547 trees planted, a variety including sakura, birch, azalea, etc. It has created a rich natural environment. Therefore, you can see different blossom flowers and birds all year round. The reports of nature observation information are frequently on Asahiyama Memorial Park’s official website. Sadly, only Japanese on the website.
Asahiyama Memorial Park Official Website
Cherry Blossom
From early May to middle May, Asahiyama Park is the popular spot for blossom Japanese cherry. There are roughly 3500 cherry trees that bring a picturesque view with sakura flowers. Thus, the park is seething with tourists when cherry blossoms bloom every year.
Asahiyama Memorial Park Observatory
Sapporo was selected as one of the New Three Major Night Views of Japan. And Asahiyama Memorial Park is one of the famous places where you can see the night view of Sapporo City. The picture is beautiful in the nighttime and daytime.
The observation Spaces located 137.5meters above sea level offer a panoramic view of Sapporo. Such as Ishikari Heigen, the sea of Japan, and the mountains of the Sorachi area.
Family Fun
There are some areas designed for children. Below I will tell you some details about my experience.
- Nature Walk
The nature walk in the park is exhilarating, fun, and inspirational. You can explore the forest, see the flowers, bird-watching with children. And the pathway is easy for children to walk on.
- Picnic
We had a picnic that day. My friend’s kids were so happy to picnic here, and they were pleased to say “Picnic~Picnic~”. It seems that the children were enjoying the picnic rather than cherry blossom viewing.
- Fountain
Once we went there in the summertime. Kids could not help themselves to play in the fountain. They walk in straight without changing swimsuits. Luckily we bring spare clothes.
- Small children’s play area and Playground
Three minutes walk from observation Spaces. There are not many pieces of playground equipment. So it’s boring for my friend’s 8-year-old son. I think the playground works for children ages 2-4. The small children’s play area is a grassy slope, where you can play snow sledding in the snow season with kids.
Information
If you come here by car, I recommend you park your car in Parking Lot 1. The reason is you reach the cherry trees area, observation space, and rest area when you access. As it’s the central point of Asahiyama Memorial Park, You can walk to any site and back quickly.
Address: 4 Chome-1-3 Sakaigawa, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0943
Fee: free
Contact: 011-200-0311
Opening hour: Open 24 hours
- Parking Lot
Fee: free
Parking hour (Parking Lot 1&2): 6:00-22:00 (closed 22:00 – 6:00)
Closing period: Parking lot 2 closed during winter (Parking lot one open all year)
- Fountain
Operating period: Late April to the end of October
Operating hours: 10:00 – 19:00/April, May, October, 10:00 – 20:00/June to September
* The fountain is illuminated from sunset until the end of the operating time.
* Operation may be suspended due to adverse weather conditions (rain, etc.)
How To Get Here
You may spend time waiting for a parking space in the cherry bloom season, and I spent over 30 minutes in a parking space last time.
By Car
Around 22 minutes drive from Sapporo station to here.
By Subway And Bus
From Sapporo-station(Sapporo subway), get on the Tozai Line, going toward Miyanosawa. And get off at Maruyama Koen Station. Take the JR Hokkaido Bus (Maru 13) and get off at Bus stop Asahiyama Koen Mae. Then walk for about 4 minutes.
Before You Go
Make sure you wear warm enough to have a great time. Just notice that if you visit in the snow season, make sure you wear no-slip traction sole boots.
