Queen of Wildflowers, Shirane Aoi, Nearing Peak Bloom! 'Shirane Aoi and Spring Wildflower Festival (May 9-17)' Kicks Off Today! (Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park)

The 'Queen of Wildflowers,' Shirane Aoi, is nearing its peak bloom!

Photographed on 2026.05.07

Photographed on 2026.05.07 Photographed on 2026.05.07

The 'Shirane Aoi and Spring Wildflower Festival,' where you can enjoy various wildflowers, will be held from Saturday, May 9th! Just a short trip from central Sapporo, the Takino Forest Zone West Area 'Nature Arboretum' offers visitors the chance to admire about 1,500 Shirane Aoi flowers blooming throughout the area, along with other wildflowers like Hitorishizuka and Enreisou, and enjoy bird watching.

For 2026, Shirane Aoi is expected to reach its peak bloom around May 9th, influenced by the early snowmelt. The peak bloom is anticipated to continue until around May 17th.

Event Period

May 9th (Sat) - May 17th (Sun)

Location

Mori no Johokan (Takino Forest Zone West Area)

Hours

9:00 - 17:00

What is Shirane Aoi?

It is a species endemic to Japan, belonging to a single genus and family, characterized by four large, pale purple sepals that resemble petals. Its flower language is 'perfect beauty.' Due to its beauty, it is also called the 'Queen of Wildflowers.' It grows wild mainly in the snowy deep mountains on the Japan Sea side, such as Hokkaido and the northern part of central Honshu. It was discovered on Mount Nikko-Shirane and named Shirane Aoi (White Root Hollyhock) because its flower resembles the hollyhock.

Shirane Aoi Blooming Status for Reiwa 8 (2026): Nearing Peak Bloom (as of May 7th)

The Shirane Aoi path is expected to reach its peak bloom around May 9th. Peak bloom is expected to continue until around May 17th.

Recommended Walking Courses

Shirane Aoi Path Course (Estimated walking time: 30 minutes)

This course takes you through the 'Shirane Aoi Path,' where the main cluster of flowers is located. The path from Mori no Johokan to Mori no Kansatsu Deck is paved, making it recommended for families with small children and those who are not confident in their physical strength.

Shirane Aoi Full Enjoyment Course (Estimated walking time: 60 minutes)

This course covers all the Shirane Aoi clusters. You can enjoy Shirane Aoi with deeper colors and a more profound forest atmosphere. There are stairs along the way, and the path may be muddy depending on the weather.

Nature Arboretum Full Enjoyment Course (Estimated walking time: 90 minutes or more)

This course allows you to freely explore the vast Nature Arboretum. Enjoy the Takino Forest with the help of a map! Walking maps are distributed at Mori no Johokan.

Volunteer Guides will assist you!

During the event period, volunteer guides for Takino Forest will be patrolling the park. Please feel free to ask them about flower names or directions. ■Patrol hours: 10:00 - 14:00

Wildflowers of the Forest!!

Spring wildflowers are just beginning to bloom! In 'Takino Forest,' you can enjoy wildflowers other than Shirane Aoi.

You can see small but uniquely shaped and charming flowers such as Enreisou and Hitorishizuka.

Miyama Enreisou Enreisou Hitorishizuka

Free Shuttle Bus Service in the Park!

Operating days: May 9th (Sat) and 10th (Sun)

A free shuttle bus will operate between the Central Zone (next to Country House) and the Takino Forest Zone Nature Arboretum.

You can easily enjoy the blooming tulips and forest wildflowers.

Takino Forest Zone 'Shirane Aoi' Introduction MOVIE

Takino Flower Relay!! After Shirane Aoi, it's Tulips!!

Various events will be held in conjunction with the blooming season of tulips, boasting one of the largest varieties and numbers of bulbs in the Sapporo area, and lily of the valley, which is the origin of the park's name.

Six varieties of tulips from Toyama Prefecture, selected as 'Reiwa 7 (2025) Imperial Offering Varieties,' will appear again this year at KINOTOWN!

You can enjoy the faint fragrance of 'Fragrance Tulips' at Palette Hiroba.

Photographed on 2025.05.27

Photographed on 2026.05.07 Photographed on 2026.05.07

Event Period

May 16th (Sat) - May 31st (Sun)

Hours

9:00 - 17:00

Location

Country Garden, etc.

Number of Varieties

Approx. 120 varieties

Number of Bulbs

Approx. 230,000 bulbs

Peak Bloom Season

Mid-May to Early June

Tulip and Lily of the Valley Festa

Contact Information

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park (Takino Snow World) Sapporo City Park Greening Association Joint Venture Takino Management Center Public Relations: Planning and Public Relations Section Address: 247 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

TEL: 011-594-2222

[Various SNS updated regularly!]

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