JAPAN TRAVEL: Cape Saraki in Kikonai, A Scenic Tulip Garden by the Roadside
There are travelers who prefer to explore a certain destination by walking. Sometimes, walking takes you to underrated places which are magical in their own way. Walking tours have become popular in various tourist destinations as well, as it is a way to discover the town through its streets and alleyways.
In Japan, a town called Kikonai located southwest of Hokkaido is becoming popular because of its Guided Walking Tour.
Robi Domingo in Cape Saraki
Kikonai is a small town filled with various sights to see. From Hakodate, you can travel to Kikonai in Hokkaido via shinkansen, which gives a wonderful view of the natural scenery through the window. To better start the Kikonai experience, a Walking Tour Guide lets you in on a quick tour of the town. One of the must-see spots in the town is a colorful tulip garden called Cape Saraki.
Different colors of tulips bloom in Cape Saraki every spring
A bed of blooming tulips in every color delights visitors in Cape Saraki, where 50,000 tulip varieties are planted alongside the tranquil roads of Kikonai. Every spring, tourists flock to this roadside garden to admire these fresh and dainty flowers. The best time to visit Cape Saraki is in early May when tulips are in their prettiest. A tulip fair is also held in this area.
You’ll find a variety of tulips here, too!
This tulip garden is also where the Kanrin Maru stands, a warship that sank in the ocean in 1871, carrying the delegates from Japan to the USA. This monument depicts Japan’s take on modern navigation.
The Kanrin Maru monument
Take photos, admire the flowers, and learn a slice of history in this part of Hakodate!
How to get here
By car: From JR Kikkori Station, it is a 10-minute drive. From Hakodate City, it is a 40-50 minute drive.
Details
Address: Kamekawa, Kikonai-cho, Kamiiso-gun, Hokkaido
Operating Hours: 24/7 (Tulips bloom in early May)
Website: http://kikonai-kankou.net/
Contact: Kikonai Tourist Association (+81-1392-6-7357)
Admission fee: none
This first appeared on Philippine Primer magazine’s January 2019 issue.
