Maruyama Park (円山公園)is sitting 3 kilometers west of the heart of Sapporo. It offers wildlife in the natural environment. Locals frequently spend some quality time with children here, especially cherry blossoms. Also, Maruyama Park is a base for several famous attractions. It’s easy to reach other attractions on foot.
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About Maruyama Park
It covers a wide area, facilities including a public square, Maruyama Baseball Stadium, and Maruyama Field (a sports field with an all-weather surface). Those sports facilities are one of the most important sports venues in Hokkaido.
Maruyama Park is next to popular attractions, such as Hokkaido Shrine [Click Here], Maruyama Zoo [Click Here]. You can access these attractions easily from Maruyama Park.
About Maruyama
We can see Mt. Maruyama anywhere in Maruyama town. The reason is the mountain road did not build until 1914. The mountain’s primitive name is called Moiwa, which means hill in Ainu. In 1870, 90 farmers who migrated from the Shonai region of Yamagata prefecture were settled in this area. At the same time, people start to call this mountain Maruyama.
Cherry Blossom
Maruyama Park is seething with people in the cherry blossom season. People bring children to view sakura flowers, barbecue, and picnic. However, do you know why there are so many Japanese blooming cherry trees? Let me tell you a story of it, and you can tell children while you stroll.
There’s a man called Shima Yoshitake. He laid the foundation for the town of Sapporo and was dismissed in just over a hundred days. Four years later, he was arrested and killed because he disobeyed the Meiji government due to the Rebellion.
People couldn’t openly praise Shima Yoshitake because they became rebels against the government. However, Senkichi Fukutama, who guided Shima Yoshitake planted 150 cherry trees on approach to the shrine to mourn the death of Shima Yoshitake in 1875.
After that, the cherry trees bloomed along the lane. And bright pink patches lay around the shrine. Huge throngs gathered in the Maruyama area to view cherry blooms.
Slowly amble with kids in cherry blossom season in Sapporo city? [Click Here]
Moreover, there are many spectacular cherry blossom views in Hokkaido. [Click Here]
Maruyama Orchard Primeval Forest
From the back approach to the zoo, there is a rare cedar grove near Sapporo. Some trees are over 100 years old. In this way, the Maruyama Orchard was established to the potential of agriculture and forestry investigation around the current Sakashita Grand in 1897. In 1902, Maruyama Orchard was relocated to Kagura in Asahikawa.
Above all, observing the various trees in the forest is a good way to understand the history of pioneering. The Japanese government designated the Maruyama Orchard Primeval Forest as a special natural treasure.
Information
Address: 〒064-0959 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Miyagaoka, ３
Contact: 011-621-0453
How To Get Here
There is no parking area, so it’s not a good idea to visit here by car. If you are a group of 3-4 people, a taxi will be a convenient choice.
By car
About 14 minutes drive from Sapporo station.
By Subway
From Sapporo-station(Sapporo subway) get on the Tozai Line going toward Miyanosawa. And, get off at Maruyama Koen Station and walk for about 5 minutes.
By Bus
- From Sapporo-station(Sapporo(JR)) get on Teine Line (No. 55) – Teine Eigyosho Mae. Get off at Maruyama Daiichi Torii and walk for about 11 minutes.
- From Sapporo-station(Sapporo(JR)) get on Otaru Line (Maruyama Keiyu) – Otaru Eki. Get off at Maruyama Daiichi Torii and walk for about 11 minutes.
Maruyama Park Map
Zoom in to see the words.
Conclusion
The influx of people has barbecues under cherry trees when plenty of blooming cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park. Picnic and barbecue in the cherry blossom season is a popular family activity for locals because the chance to picnic in Hokkaido is short.
In addition to cherry blossoms, it’s great to visit all season. You can feel the beauty of Hokkaido’s four-season in Maruyama Park. No matter which season, I love ambling along the trails in the early morning. It makes me feel calm and relaxed.
