Cherry blossoms or sakura have long been associated with Japan’s spring. Shibazakura, small little flowers that resembles the shape of sakura grows widely, producing a lovely carpet of flowers. The sleepy town of Higashimokoto is popular for its shibazakura (moss phlox), which blooms from late April to late May. It’s a great addition if you find yourself self-driving in Hokkaido in spring.
Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park is a huge hill with millions of shibazakura. Beautiful flowers in pink, red, purple, & white decorate the hills with lush green trees and mountains on the background. The park is crazy enough to plant shibazakuras to resemble two logos, featured on two sides of the hilly landscape. The first one is an emblem of the town of Ozora, and the second logo is of a cow.
One can spend a few hours exploring the vast park. On the hilltop, there is a shinto shrine with pink torii, Yamatsumi Shinto Shrine (山津見神社) where visitors can pray. It’s unique pink torii blends with the rest of the park. Just adjacent to the park is an observatory platform where one can have a great view of the whole park. I’ve seen a helicopter going around to enjoy an unspoiled top view.
The park features various activities that can be enjoyed. Visitors can hire go karts or hop on the tour car that goes around the park.
The entrance fee to the park is 500 yen. Shops just by the gate sell shibazakura ice cream which is a nice conclusion to your park visit.
| Admission fee | Adult: JPY 500. Child: JPY 250. |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | A free parking lot is provided (1000 cars). |
| Address | 393 Suehiro, Higashimokoto, Ozora Town, Abashiri District |
| Map Code | 638 712 562*74 |
| Telephone number | +81-152-66-3111 |
| Home page | Home page is here |