Sapporo Lilac Spring Festival

DatesOdori Park : May 17 - May 28th

Kawashimo Park : Late May or Early June
Contact
Location /
Getting There
Odori Park 5, 6, 7 chome
Get off at Odori subway station, 2 minute walk

Kawashimo Park, Shiroi-shi
25 minute walk from JR Heiwa train station


The Sapporo Lilac Festival first began in 1959, and the following year the lilac was designated the tree of Sapporo After a long winter many citizens eagerly look forward to this festival where everyone can enjoy the start of a warmer season and eating and walking outdoors. Odori Park has about 400 lilac trees, and on the first day of the festival, lilac seedlings are given away to visitors. There is also an outdoor tea ceremony, a store to try on kimonos, a music festival and a stamp rally. There is international cuisine and the wine garden serves up delicious food made with Hokkaido ingredients and locally produced wines. A variety of events are held in the lilac forest of Kawashimo Park in Sapporo’s Shiroishi Ward, such as the Shimokawa Park concert, and guided tours of the lilacs.




Odori Park is the main attraction and its recommended to check out the 3 blocks of festivities here first. There is a variety of attractions you can enjoy while strolling around the park, such as the “Wine Garden 2016 Lilas Mariages” where you can sample wines from wineries from about 23 areas of Hokkaido in the spring weather. There are a large assortment of places to eat, though be warned, it gets crowded! There are also hands-on activities such as the origami classroom and the Hokkaido wheat straw ornament-making experience.


Odori Park 5th Block  (5 Chome)



Origami classroom
& exhibitions
10 am - 4 pm
Lilac Exhibition &
Gardening Sales
10 am - 4 pm
Kimono dressing
experience and
picture-taking area
10 am - 4 pm
Handmade Market10 am - 4 pm
Free appraisals of
Antiques and Collectibles
10 am - 4 pm


Odori Park 6th Block (6 Chome)



Tea Area10 am - 4:30 pm
International Food Court10 am - 9 pm
Lilac Music Festival10 am - 5 pm
Various Markets10 am - 8 pm


Odori Park 7th Block (7 Chome)



Wine Garden 2016 Lilas
Mariages
11 am - 9 pm
Hokkaido food stalls11 am - 9 pm
Seminar on Hokkaido-
produced wines hosted
by a sommelier
3 pm - 3:30 pm


Kawashimo Park venue contains the “Lilac Forest” which has 1700 lilac trees and 200 varieties of lilac from around the world. There is a guided tour of the “Lilac Forest” around the large green lawns. Saplings are given out for free. There are flower related exhibitions and hands-on activities, so if you’re a nature buff, this is the place for you!

Lilac Guided Tour11pm - midday
2pm - 3pm
Lilac quiz rally10am - 3pm
Lilac seedlings,
original goods,
and food stands*

*weather depending
10am - 3pm
Kawashimo Park Concert*times depending
Kids Liladeco Battle!
Decorate Lilac Plaza
9am - 9pm

*closed Mondays
Posted in Festivals / Events | Tagged

About

Hokkaido Guide contributor and editor. Keen photographer with a love of travel, the great outdoors and all things Hokkaido, Japan. Matt Holloway is a professional photographer and holds exhibitions around Sapporo, Hokkaido and Sydney Australia.