The Hokkaido University Botanic Garden, situated in the city of Sapporo, offers a tranquil retreat for those interested in nature and botany. Established in 1886, Hokkaido University Botanic Garden is the second-oldest botanical garden in Japan and the oldest in the “modern” style. This garden provides an opportunity to escape the city’s hustle and explore a variety of plant species native to Hokkaido. With its rich history and diverse collection, the Hokkaido University Botanic Garden allows visitors to appreciate the unique flora of Japan’s northernmost island.
History and Background
While the botanical garden was established in 1886, the greenhouse had actually been built and used 10 years previously on its current site. The gardens specialise in alpine and wild plants native to Hokkaido – there are over 4,000 specimens spread over 1.3 hectares. It also boasts the oldest lilac plan in Hokkaido.
In addition to the gardens, there are several buildings spread throughout the campus. These include the greenhouse, a small Ainu museum, a natural history museum, and many examples of now-extinct wildlife from Hokkaido.
Today the garden is part of the Faculty of Agriculture.
Garden Highlights
The botanical garden is split into sections. While the rose garden and flowering sections bring in the most visitors, there are several other, unique gardens:
Alpine garden
While the alpine garden contains species of alpine plants from around the world, the main focus is on the alpine species and regions of Hokkaido. In fact it is designed to look like the upper slopes of a minature Mt. Tomurasushi. Many flowering plants also bloom here, including ones found in the Taisetsu Mountain range and Mt Apoi in central Hokkaido.
Canadian Rock garden
To commerate a long-standing collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Canada, the Canadian Rock Garden includes approximately 150 species of alpine plants native to North America, which differ but share many similar plants as the Eastern Asiatic floristic regions (of which Hokkaido is part of).
Arboretum
The Arboretum, also known as the Natural Woodland, is like stepping back in time to when the Ishikari Plain (on which Sapporo was built) was covered by forests. The garden has not been altered artificially in any way sine the garden opened and contains many old maple trees.
Rose Garden
Approximately 20 old-world rose cultivars grow alongside wild Japanese roses in this rose garden set up in the “English garden” style typical for rose gardens in Japan. The roses bloom between mid-June and September every year.
Herbaceous Plants Garden
The Herbaceous Plants Garden focuses on the herb plants of the Hokkaido lowlands. Currently there are around 150 native and introduced plants common to the island nowadays.
Northern Peoples Ethnobotanical Garden
A feature unique to the Hokkaido University Botanic Garden, the Northern Peoples Ethnobotanical Garden features plants that were used in the everyday lives of various communities and people’s from around eastern Asia (including the Ainu, Nivkh and Uilta). In addition to information about the plants, information about their usage and the products created are displayed (in Japanese).
Lilac avenue
Lilacs bloom primarily in May and June, producing a sweet aroma. Along this avenue, there are 20 species of Asian and European lilacs, some planted as long ago as 1890!
Seasonal Attractions at the Hokkaido University Botanic Garden
With so many plants and gardens, the Hokkaido University Botanic Garden has a different feeling to it every time you go.
No matter when you go, the tropical greenhouse has something for you. At other times, the garden provides a list to all visitors of which flowers are currently blooming and where they can be found. This is updated weekly. Here is list of flowers and approximate flowering times (and when the leaves change colours).
Visitor Information
The Hokkaido University Botanic Garden has two opening seasons: summer (late April to early November) and winter (November to April). During both periods, last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
During the summer period, the gardens are open from 9:00 to 16:00 or 16:30, depending on sunset. It is also closed on Mondays during this time (or Tuesdays if Monday is a National Holiday). The entry fee is 420 yen for adults. The entire garden is open.
During the winter season, the garden is open from 10:00 to 15:30 weekdays and 10:00 to 12:30 on Saturdays. Only the greenhouse is open, so the entry fee is reduced to 120 yen. The greenhouse is closed on Sundays, National Holidays and from 28 December to 4 January.
Personal Experience
I went in the middle of June during the week and this was an excellent time to go. Not only were there not many people but there were also a lot of flowers blooming. I saw the rose garden, some species of which were in full bloom, as well as some of the lilacs and flowering alpine species.
If you want to time your visit to when a specific flower is blooming, I suggest you look here to see which flowers are blooming at the moment.
Practical Tips for Visitors
This is a garden and you are going to be walking, so wear comfortable walking shoes. The paths are mostly flat and even, so those with limited mobility should be able to enjoy the gardens as well. However some paths are gravel, so watch your footing if you walk with an aid.
There is no specific time that you should visit the garden as each month has something different to showcase. Use the image below as a rough guide to help you decide when to go:
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One response to “Hokkaido University Botanic Garden: Sapporo’s Green Sanctuary”
Very professionally and informative – to the point. Easily sectioned topics with lots of pictures and charts related to the text. Great !