Shizunai Nijukken Road Cherry Blossoms

Shizunai Nijukken Road in Shinhidaka runs for 7 kilometers through flat horse-country, lined on both sides by around 2,000 Ezo Yoshino cherry trees that were planted along the old agricultural road in the early 20th century. In late April and early May, when Hokkaido's spring arrives later than the rest of Japan, the trees bloom simultaneously across the full length of the road, creating a pink corridor at a scale that few blossom sites in Japan can match. The road is closed to general traffic during peak bloom, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to walk or ride through the tunnel of flowers. Shinhidaka is known for horse ranches, and thoroughbreds graze in the paddocks visible between the trees.