Maruyama Park

Completed in 1957, although it is only 3 km from the city center, Maruyama Park (known as Maruyama Koen) is a large natural ecological area with an area of nearly 70 hectares, which is also home to the nearly a dozen different large and small temples. The largest and most famous of these is the Hokkaido Shrine.

Located adjacent to the Maruyama Zoo, as well as the Maruyama sports stadium and baseball field, Maruyama Park plays a central role in Sapporo's sports and entertainment culture. Locals often come here to relax and entertain on weekends, this is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Hokkaido.

There are about 330 varieties of natural plants in Maruyama, the most famous of which is the hundred-year-old giant katsura tree. The forest here is a mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest, with various trees including hackberry and Japanese sugi pine, which are not native to Hokkaido. Maruyama primeval forest has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary. Along with other small animals like squirrels, more than 100 species of birds live here, making it a convenient destination for birdwatching. Maruyama Forest is treasured for being adjacent to an urban area but still home to a thriving natural ecosystem.

The park is beautiful in all seasons, although it is most popular during the cherry blossom season in early May, when thousands of locals flock to the park and enjoy hanami (cherry blossom festival). At this time, the park's 226-meter-high hill comes alive with the beautiful blooms of more than 1,700 wild cherry trees. In autumn, it is the turn of many maples to bloom as their leaves change into a band of red and yellow. Winter, too, is not without its own beauty, when heavy snow falls, the park is transformed into a playground for winter sports enthusiasts.

The park also boasts a small zoo, the Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo, which opened in 1951 and is home to over 170 types of native and exotic animals.

The Park grounds also include Maruyama Sports Field and Maruyama Baseball Field, as well as other sports facilities including tennis courts and Sakashita Baseball Court. Locals can freely use the sports facilities here.

Hours of Operation: The park is open all day

Entrance fee: Free