Kokuei Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park (Sapporo, Minami Ward) is gradually welcoming the signs of spring as snow begins to melt throughout the grounds. The park is holding several events through the end of March for visitors who want to catch the season in transition.
The western area of the Takino Forest Zone is especially recommended from March onward. During event days, this area opens exclusively for event participants.
Late-March Recommended Events
Snowshoe Wild Tour – Spring Discovery Edition
With mid-March marking the arrival of spring, a guided snowshoe tour is being held in the western area of the Takino Forest Zone, inviting participants to wander through the forest in search of early spring signs.
- Date: March 20 (Fri/Holiday)
- Location: Mori no Johōkan (Forest Information Center)
- Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Fee: ¥200 per person
- Capacity: 5 groups (up to 5 people per group; 4th grade elementary school students and above)
Natural Museum Garden – Special Open Day
The Takino Forest Zone West Area's Natural Museum Garden, which is generally closed during winter, will be specially opened for a limited time. Visitors can enjoy a winter stroll through this nature-rich area.
- Date: March 15 (Sun) Final open day for this season
- Location: Mori no Johōkan (Forest Information Center)
- Time: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM (free entry within the time period; reception closes at 2:30 PM)
- Fee: Free
- Capacity: Unlimited
Takino Winter Kids Park (Snow Play Park)
Photo is from a previous event.
A snow-themed play park is open for children. Free rental outdoor play gear and snow play equipment are available, and outdoor fun is possible even when snowfall is limited.
- Dates:
- ① March 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun)
- ② March 20 (Fri/Holiday), 21 (Sat), and 22 (Sun)
- Location: ① Hanabito no Kakurega / ② Tsudoi no Mori
- Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (free entry within the time period; reception closes at 2:45 PM)
- Fee: Free
- Capacity: Unlimited
Takino Snow World — Open Through March 31
The park's Takino Snow World continues to offer a range of winter activities, including a 200-meter tube sled course, skiing, snow play, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and birdwatching.
Note: Activities may close early depending on snowmelt conditions. The park will be closed from April 1 to April 18.
| Winter Season | Through March 31, 2026 (Tue) |
| Hours | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Admission | Free during winter (separate parking fee applies) |
Spring Is Just Around the Corner
The green season at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park begins April 19 (Sun). Highlights of the spring season include approximately 230,000 tulips in 120 varieties — among the largest selections in the greater Sapporo area — along with cherry blossoms, and Shirane Aoi (Glaucidium palmatum), known as the "queen of alpine flora."
① Tulip & Suzuran Festa 2026
Events are scheduled to coincide with the blooming of tulips and suzuran (lily of the valley), the flower from which the park takes its name. Six varieties of tulips from Toyama Prefecture, selected as imperial household tribute varieties, will again be on display in KINOTOWN.
| Period | May 16 (Sat) to May 31 (Sun) |
| Location | Country Garden (Central Zone) |
② Shirane Aoi and Spring Wildflower Festival
Shirane Aoi is a Japanese endemic species listed as a near-threatened plant in Hokkaido. Through volunteer conservation efforts at the Takino Forest Zone's Natural Museum Garden, the plant's numbers have steadily increased. During the festival period, visitors can see clusters of Shirane Aoi in bloom throughout the forest.
| Period | May 9 (Sat) to May 17 (Sun) |
| Location | Takino Forest Zone West Area, Natural Museum Garden |
