Store your luggage around Sapporo with Bounce 

Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, may seem remote, but there are plenty of reasons why international travelers make their way off the beaten path to visit this beautiful region. The largest city and capital of the island is Sapporo, which is most famous for being the home of the international beer brand of the same name. But there’s far more to this city than just a brewery. 

Sapporo is home to a historic city center with iconic landmarks like The Sapporo Clock Tower and the Hokkaido Jingu shrine. Like many places in the country, the city’s parks are lined with gorgeous cherry blossom trees, with the beautiful Maruyama and Odori parks being must-visits.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Sapporo: 

Getting around Sapporo, whether it’s to explore the city or make your way to a ski resort, requires a little planning. The famously efficient Japanese transportation system makes things a little easier, but you might still find yourself stuck with your bags on travel days.  If you're heading into town from New Chitose Airport, you'll want to find a left luggage service like Bounce.

The city's main train station does have coin-operated lockers for commuters, but these aren’t large lockers ideal for handling heavy baggage or suitcases. The Sapporo station lockers are an option but not necessarily the best one if you're carrying large bags or are not planning to return to the station. Bounce’s luggage storage service offers convenient and secure locations throughout the city. 

Luggage storage facilities are vetted to ensure security and quality, and the Bounce Shield guarantee provides some peace of mind that your belongings are well taken care of. It’s also easy to book on the go with the mobile app, and there’s 24/7 support.

Many travelers make their way through Sapporo on their way to the island’s many ski resorts or hot springs, but there are plenty of cultural offerings to enjoy. It’s a modern city with modern amenities, including incredible shopping and retail districts in the city center. The restaurants, if you know where to look, are incredible, and Japanese nightlife is as alive in Sapporo as it is in Tokyo. 

If you’re visiting during winter, the Sapporo Snow Festival transforms the city into a snow-capped wonderland with gargantuan ice sculptures and a lovely atmosphere.

If you’re visiting any other time of year, here are a few ideas: 

This revered Shinto shrine dates back to 1869, and its traditional Japanese architecture makes it one of the most beautiful attractions in Sapporo. Hokkaido Jingu is situated in the beautiful Maruyama Park in the city center, so it’s an easy stop during any trip to Sapporo. One of the best ways to enjoy Sapporo is to explore its many beautiful parks, and this one is a can't-miss. The shrine is surrounded by gardens and cherry blossom trees, making the grounds a delight to stroll through.  

Most international travelers will immediately think of the iconic beer brand when considering a trip to Sapporo. While there’s so much more to the city than Sapporo beer, the brewery is still one of the most popular attractions. You can tour the original production facility, which dates back to 1876 and serves as a  museum and tasting room. There’s no better (or more delicious) way to learn about Japanese brewing history. 

Hokkaido and Sapporo are one of the most recently settled places in Japan. A 19th-century village has been preserved and turned into an open-air museum that depicts the life of Hokkaido’s early residents. In a way, it’s not so different from Western gold rush towns and pilgrim villagers. There are historic buildings like log cabins and farmhouses all clustered together with makeshift construction. It’s a scrappy and fascinating corner of Japanese history and a change of pace from the grandeur of imperial palaces and centuries-old temples. 

Most museums in Japan will have limited baggage storage during opening hours, but you can’t expect a historic shrine to have lockers. If you’re planning a full day of sightseeing, it’s ideal to arrange luggage storage with a service like Bounce. 

While it was built on the grounds of the city’s first brewery, this retail complex is not to be confused with the actual Sapporo Brewery. The Sapporo Factory is one of the largest shopping centers in Hokkaido, with over 160 stores to choose from. You’ll find everything from boutiques and designer outlets to electronics shops and gift stores. It’s situated in the city center, making it an easy stop if you need to make a practical purchase. 

This open-air public market is where locals go to buy seafood and other ingredients directly from the producers. If you’re not able to cook at your hotel or vacation rental, it’s still fun to explore the aisles to see all the exotic seafood on offer, like salmon roe, squid, eel, sea urchin, crab, and other underwater delicacies. Even better, you can order some donburi (which is fresh seafood served over rice) or other street food favorites while you explore. 

This bustling entertainment district and retail hotspot is the largest in Hokkaido, with hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It’s also the site of the Snow Festival held every February. While it won’t have the selection of a mall, there are plenty of shops that are perfect for a souvenir. It’s a fun place to poke around, but it may not necessarily be kid-friendly.

If you’re shopping around Sapporo for a few hours, you won’t want to lug heavy bags around to all the local shops. Luckily, Bounce places its storage facilities near the best retail hotspots.

If you want truly excellent sushi in Sapporo, you won’t have a hard time finding it. If you want the best sushi in Sapporo, you’ll have to head to Hanamari. This unassuming sushi bar serves its hungry patrons with a wide variety of superb sushi on a conveyor belt. The plates are color-coded based on price, and your server will count the plates to tabulate your bill. This may sound overly gimmicky, but the quality of the sushi speaks for itself. The prices are also very affordable, and being served dinner by a conveyor belt has a certain charm to it. 

This casual restaurant at Sapporo Station more closely resembles a street food stand, but it’s popular with locals for a reason. Japanese pancakes, made of cabbage and a sweet/savory batter made of eggs, yam, and water, are topped with everything from seafood to teriyaki meat skewers. It’s the perfect snack if you’re on the go, as it is satisfying and delicious. If you’re coming into town from a ski resort, these savory pancakes and their steamy toppings (grilled octopus is the local favorite) will warm you right up after a day on the slopes.   

If you're traveling through Sapporo on your way to ski or visiting during the Snow Festival, a piping hot bowl of Raman will be the most satisfying meal imaginable. There is a ton of regionality in ramen. Sapporo's specialty is rich, umami-packed miso ramen. The best place to slurp some noodles will be Teshikaga, which is situated in the oldest hot spring (or onsen) in Hokkaido near Lake Mashu. The broth is prepared for 24 hours and comes in different spice profiles. Pair your ramen with some of their equally famous gyoza for the full experience.

If you’re heading out for a meal on travel days, you won't want to bring your bags to dinner, especially if it’s a nice restaurant. Booking luggage storage on the go is easy with Bounce, so you can drop the bags off on your way to an epic meal in Sapporo. 

Bounce is easily the best luggage storage Sapporo has to offer, but it doesn’t end there. If you need to store luggage in Japanese cities like Tokyo, Nara, or Kyoto, you can rely on Bounce to take care of the bags. There are even useful travel guides for each of these destinations. Don’t rely on second-rate services or luggage lockers; entrust the bags with Bounce, and you won’t be disappointed. 

Sapporo

Sapporo Station

Sapporo Airport

Odori Park

Luggage storage Sapporo

Spring in Japan wouldn’t be complete without cherry blossoms, and Goryokaku Park in Hakodate City takes the experience to another level. With its star-shaped fort, this annual cherry blossom festival offers a breathtaking spectacle where over 1,500 cherry trees create a pink dreamscape. Among the 1,500 cherry trees, you’ll find a mix of Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry blossoms with their cascading pink petals.

The event is one of the most celebrated sakura festivals in northeastern Japan, inviting visitors to experience its romantic atmosphere, traditional performances, and amazing cherry blossom trees reflected in the surrounding moat.

If you’re looking for a must-see event during cherry blossom season, Goryokaku Park is one of the top cherry blossom spots in eastern Japan. Cherry blossoms bloom here later than in Tokyo or Kyoto, usually hitting peak bloom from late April to early May. This makes it the perfect destination if you missed full bloom in Japan’s southern regions earlier in the season.

For another incredible cherry blossom experience, Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in Aomori Prefecture is a great stop as well. Held at Hirosaki Park, it also has amazing castle views, petal-filled moats, and thousands of stunning cherry blossom trees.

Disclaimer: Festival dates are based on bloom predictions for 2025, but bloom timing can change. Double-check closer to your visit to avoid surprises!

Before it became one of Japan’s most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots, Goryokaku Park was a fortress built in the Edo period. Completed in the 1860s, it was Japan’s first Western-style fort, designed to protect Hakodate City. The fort played a key role in the Hakodate War, the last battle between the shogunate forces and the new Meiji government. After the war, the area was transformed into a public park, and beautiful cherry blossom trees were planted, turning it into the stunning blossom festival site it is today.

From above, the park’s five-pointed star shape creates a contrast with the pink cherry blossoms. You can get the best view of this from the Goryokaku Tower observation deck, where you’ll see how the sakura trees frame the historic stone walls and the greenery of the park.

What to Expect at Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Visiting Goryokaku Park during the festival is like stepping into a painting. Here’s what makes this event special:

Viewing cherry blossoms in the star-shaped fort – One of the most unique cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, where the layout makes the pink sakura trees look even more stunning.

Paper lanterns and nighttime illumination – As the sun sets, the cherry blossom trees are lit with soft lanterns which creates a magical atmosphere.

Genghis Khan Barbecue under the blossoms – This is not your typical sakura festival experience. Locals and visitors enjoy a Goryokaku Ohanami Plan, which includes an outdoor barbecue feast under the cherry blossoms – a beloved tradition in Hokkaido.

Cultural performances – Enjoy traditional Japanese music and dance, which add to the festival’s theme of history, nature, and culture.

Panoramic views from Goryokaku Tower – Climb the observation deck to see the star-shaped park covered in pink cherry blossoms.

Want more sakura magic? Hakodate Park, another one of Hokkaido’s best cherry blossom spots, is just a short trip away, offering another chance to see beautiful cherry blossoms in Japan.

Admission Fees for Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Visiting Goryokaku Park during cherry blossom season is completely free. However, if you want to take in the breathtaking pink star-shaped layout from above, you’ll need to head up Goryokaku Tower. The observation deck offers panoramic views of the park, and during full bloom, it’s one of the most photogenic cherry blossom spots in Japan.

The entrance fee for Goryokaku Tower is 1,000 yen (around $6.76) for adults and 500 yen (around $3.38) for children – a small price for one of the country's most unique cherry blossom perspectives. Tickets can be purchased on-site or in advance, so if you want the best views without the wait, plan ahead!

How to Get to Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Hakodate, located in Hokkaido, is easily accessible by air, train, and bus. Since cherry blossom season is one of the busiest times of the year, planning ahead will help you secure the best hanami spots.

By train and tram: Take the JR Hakodate Main Line to Hakodate Station, then transfer to the Hakodate City Tram (Line 2 or Line 5) bound for Yunokawa. Get off at Goryokaku Koen-mae Station; from there, it's a 10-minute walk to the park.

By bus: Local buses run from Hakodate Station directly to Goryokaku Park. The ride takes about 15 minutes, and stops like Goryokaku Koen Iriguchi or Goryokaku-mae are just a short walk from the entrance.

By car: If you're driving, use Google Maps to navigate to Goryokaku Park. Limited parking is available nearby, but it fills up quickly during peak bloom, so arriving early is essential. Traffic congestion is common during the festival period, so public transport is highly recommended.

By air: Fly into Hakodate Airport (HKD), which offers direct flights from Tokyo (Haneda - HND) and Osaka (Kansai - KIX). From the airport, take a bus (20–30 minutes) or taxi (15 minutes) directly to the park.

By Shinkansen: Take the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, which takes about 4 hours. From there, transfer to the Hakodate Liner, which takes 20 minutes to reach Hakodate Station. Once there, follow the train and tram or bus directions to reach the park.

Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 Bag Policy

With so many visitors enjoying hanami picnics and cherry blossom viewing, expect bag restrictions in place for crowd control and security:

Small bags and backpacks are allowed, but large suitcases and coolers are typically not permitted in festival areas.

Limited coin lockers are available near the entrance and at Hakodate Station, but they fill up quickly.

Keep an eye on the official Goryokaku Park website for any last-minute bag policy updates.

Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 Bag Storage

Instead of dragging your bags around, store them securely with Bounce at four different locations in Hakodate City and many other key spots across Japan. With over {{NUM_LOCATIONS}} locations in 4,000+ cities worldwide, it’s easy to find luggage storage wherever your travels take you.

Affordable storage – Keep your bags safe from just {{PRICE}} per day.

Safe and secure – Your belongings are protected with {{INSURANCE_AMOUNT}} coverage, so you can enjoy the festival without worry.

24/7 support – Got a question? Help is always available.

Free cancellation – If your plans change, you won’t lose a dime.

Find a location – Use the Bounce app or website to pick a storage spot near Goryokaku Park or Hakodate Station.

Drop off your bags – Head to your chosen location, show your reservation, and leave your bags in secure storage.

Enjoy the festival – Walk freely through the park, take photos, and soak in the blooming cherry trees without extra weight.

Tips to Make the Most of Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Check the bloom forecast – Since the cherry blossom season in Japan depends on weather conditions, check updates before you go.

Arrive early – The best cherry blossom viewing spots get taken fast, especially near the observation deck.

Dress for the weather – Hakodate’s April temperatures range from 4–13 C (39–55 F), so bring a jacket.

Try the Genghis Khan barbecue – It’s a Hokkaido specialty and the perfect meal for watching cherry blossoms.

Explore beyond the park – Visit Hakodate Park, Motomachi’s historic district, or take a ride up Mount Hakodate for beautiful night views.

Skip the baggage hassle – Store your bags with Bounce and enjoy the charming cherry blossoms stress-free.

Goryokaku Park is one of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Japan. The star-shaped fort, the illuminated cherry blossoms, and the pink petals reflected in the moat make it an unforgettable spring experience. Make your way to Hakodate City this cherry blossom season and watch one of Japan’s most breathtaking spectacles unfold before your eyes.

Sapporo events and things to do

Upcoming Sapporo events to explore

Goryokaku Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Find nearby luggage storage in Sapporo