Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park is one of Hokkaido’s most spectacular spring flower-viewing destinations. Located in Higashimokoto, Ozora Town, the park is famous for its vast hillside covered in colorful moss phlox, known in Japanese as shibazakura.
From around mid-May to early June, approximately 100,000 square meters of gently sloping ground is transformed into a vivid floral landscape. The pink flowers spread across the hillside like a vast velvet carpet, creating an unforgettable view that attracts large numbers of visitors every spring.
The history of Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park began in 1977, when local residents began planting moss phlox. The flowers gradually spread across the surrounding slopes, and the beauty of the landscape eventually became widely known beyond the local area.
The park has grown with the support and involvement of the local community and has become an important symbol of Higashimokoto. What began as a local planting effort has developed into a celebrated flower-viewing destination visited by travelers from throughout Japan.
The main attraction is the spectacular carpet of moss phlox covering the gently rolling hillside. The small flowers, approximately 1.5 centimeters in diameter, bloom in shades of red, pink, white, and purple, creating intricate patterns across the slopes.
Looking up at the flower-covered hillside from below offers an impressive perspective, while the view from higher up reveals the enormous scale of the colorful landscape. The contrast between the flowers and the surrounding greenery makes the scenery particularly striking.
The park offers several places from which to enjoy the shibazakura landscape. From the observation deck, visitors can look across the extensive flower-covered slopes and appreciate the scale of the park.
Another distinctive sight is the pink torii gate of Yamatsumi Shrine, which blends beautifully with the surrounding flowers. Walking slowly along the park’s paths allows visitors to enjoy the changing perspectives of the hillside, from close-up views of the individual flowers to sweeping panoramas across the entire park.
For visitors who would rather take in the scenery without walking the entire hillside, a track-style sightseeing vehicle travels through the park at a relaxed pace. Riding through the flower-covered landscape offers a different perspective and is an enjoyable way to appreciate the vast grounds.
There is also a go-kart course measuring approximately 820 meters per lap. Combining these activities with flower viewing makes the park appealing not only to photographers and nature lovers but also to families and visitors looking for a more active experience.
During the peak flowering season, the park hosts the Higashimokoto Shibazakura Festival. The event brings an especially lively atmosphere to the area, with music performances and sales of local specialties adding to the appeal of the seasonal celebration.
The festival is a chance to experience not only the spectacular flowers but also the warm local atmosphere surrounding one of Higashimokoto’s best-known attractions.
Although the shibazakura is the park’s signature attraction, the surrounding landscape also changes with the seasons. The spacious grounds feature other flowers and greenery, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the natural character of Hokkaido beyond the main flowering period.
The peak period from mid-May to early June is the ideal time to see the hillside at its most colorful. Because the exact timing of flowering can vary depending on weather conditions, visitors planning a trip specifically for the flowers should take the seasonal bloom conditions into account.
Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park is a remarkable example of how local community efforts have transformed a natural hillside into a magnificent seasonal landscape. The enormous carpet of pink, white, purple, and red flowers creates a scene that is both colorful and expansive.
Whether viewed from the observation deck, explored on foot, or enjoyed from a sightseeing vehicle, the park offers many ways to experience its beauty. For travelers exploring eastern Hokkaido in late spring, Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park provides an unforgettable encounter with the region’s vibrant seasonal scenery.
8:00-17:00
Admission during the Shiba Cherry Blossom Festival
Adults (junior high school students and older) 500 yen
Children (elementary school students) 250 yen