Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park is a huge park in Minami-ku, in the hills of southern Sapporo, and the only national government park in Hokkaido. Of its roughly 400 hectares, about half is open to visitors, with flower fields, forest trails, waterfalls and one of the best children’s play areas in the region.
It opens for a “green season” from spring to autumn and turns into Takino Snow World for winter sports in the colder months.
Plan your visit to Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
- Entry: adults ¥450, under 15 free
- Green season: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (6 pm in summer)
- Time needed: half a day to a full day
History of Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
Planning for a national government park in Hokkaido began in 1975, when the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau set up a committee to choose a site. The Takino location was decided in 1977, and the park first opened in 1983 with around 30 hectares.
It has expanded in stages since then. “Suzuran” means lily of the valley, the flower of Hokkaido’s hills.
Attractions at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
- Country garden and flower fields: about 230,000 tulips in late May, followed by summer flowers, dahlias and cosmos in early autumn.
- Mountain Stream Zone: forest paths and waterfalls, including Ashiribetsu Falls, listed among Japan’s top 100 waterfalls.
- Kodomo no Tani (Children’s Valley): large indoor and outdoor play structures, with water play areas in summer.
- Takino Forest Zone: woodland trails for walking and nature watching.
- Takino Snow World: in winter, sledding and tubing slopes, snowshoe trails and cross-country skiing.
- Campground: Autoresort Takino, with tent and cabin sites.
Things to Do at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
- See the tulip festival: usually in the second half of May.
- Walk to Ashiribetsu Falls: especially beautiful in October’s autumn colours.
- Let children loose in Kodomo no Tani: easily a half day for families.
- Rent a bicycle: to cover the long distances between zones.
- Winter sports: sledding and snowshoeing at Takino Snow World.
Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Green season 2026: 19 April to 10 November, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (to 6:00 pm from 1 June to 31 August).
- Admission: adults (15+) ¥450, seniors (65+) ¥210, under 15 free.
- Winter: Takino Snow World opens in winter, usually from late December to March; check dates on the official website.
- The park closes between seasons.
How Long to Spend at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
Plan half a day for one or two zones, and a full day with children or if you want to see the flower fields and the waterfall.
How to Get There
- Subway and bus: take the Namboku Line to Makomanai Station, then a Chuo Bus towards Takino (about 35 minutes) to the park’s entrance stops.
- Car: about 40 minutes from central Sapporo; the park has its own car parks.
- Taxi: possible from Makomanai Station, but expensive from the city centre.
Arriving at New Chitose Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your Sapporo hotel.
Eateries Nearby Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
- Park restaurants and cafes: in the main visitor buildings, with light meals and snacks.
- Barbecue: BBQ facilities are available in the park.
- Makomanai: shops and restaurants around the subway station on the way back.
- Central Sapporo: for ramen, soup curry and jingisukan, head back to Susukino.
Other Attractions Nearby Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park
- Hill of the Buddha: Tadao Ando’s giant Buddha surrounded by a lavender-planted hill, at Makomanai Takino Cemetery nearby.
- Sapporo Art Park: an open-air sculpture park in Minami-ku.
- Jozankei Onsen: Sapporo’s hot spring resort in the mountains to the west.
- Moerenuma Park: another vast park, on the opposite side of the city.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Sapporo: stay near the Namboku Line for the easiest connection to Makomanai.
- Get a Japan eSIM before you land, for maps and bus times.
Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park is Hokkaido’s only national government park: a vast hillside of tulip fields, waterfalls, forest trails and children’s play areas that becomes a snow park in winter. It takes about an hour to reach from central Sapporo by subway and bus.
For another large park in Sapporo, visit Isamu Noguchi’s Moerenuma Park, or, closer to the centre, Maruyama Park.