Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park

Every spring, a hillside in Ozora transforms into a mass of pink moss phlox that covers the slope from base to summit. The bloom typically runs from late April through late May, depending on the year's temperatures. A pink torii gate stands within the field, and the surrounding hills provide a backdrop that makes the color even more vivid. The park sits in a rural corner of Hokkaido east of Abashiri, so it takes some effort to reach without a car, but local buses do run during peak season. Arriving early in the morning gives you better light and smaller crowds. A small fee applies during the bloom period.