Hiraoka Greenery Center (Hiraoka Jyugei Center)
The Hiraoka Greenery Center is a garden located in Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, where visitors can enjoy various trees and plants. After receiving a donation of land and trees from the estate of the late Mr. Sanjiro Takezawa (who had owned these plants as part of an exhibition garden of trees suitable for northern countries), the park was opened in 1984, displaying both Japanese and Western-style gardens. The park area covers 2.9 hectares, where visitors can walk throughout the gardens and enjoy the changing of the seasons.
The park features a Japanese garden filled with the atmospheric delights of Japan – including a beautiful serene lake and bower, a plaza filled with trimmed plants, and approximately 3,000 yew trees. The yew trees are at their most beautiful in June, when the new buds sprout, and the roundly trimmed plants and hedges provide visual delights for visitors.
Among the 700 to 800 maple trees on display are 8 different species, including mountain maples, Nomura maples, and Shidare (weeping) maples. In the fall, these trees turn fiery with autumn colors, and are especially beautiful to see in contrast with the greens of other plants.
The Management Office has undergone renovations in the spring of 2015, and in commemoration the citizens have given to calling the park by its nickname, “Midorimu”.
Major Attractions
Autumn colors
Visitors can enjoy atmospheric scenery, featuring rows of maple (including Nomura maples) and azalea trees. October to November are the best times for viewing.
Cherry blossoms
Visitors can enjoy 6 types of cherry blossoms. The Yaezakura (double cherry blossoms) tunnel in full bloom is an especially beautiful sight to see. The best time to see Yaezakura is between mid-May and the end of May.
Yew Tree Topiary
The yew trees trimmed into straight lines are one of the main attractions of the park. June, when the new buds sprout, is an especially beautiful time of year.
Operating Hours
Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, the park will be closed the following day)
Park open season: April 29 – November 3 (may be extended depending on autumn colors viewing circumstances)
Operating hours: 8:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Parking: Available (34 spaces, open 8:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.)
A Request to All Visitors
- Please help us minimize garbage by taking home your rubbish.
- Plants within the park may not be picked or harvested.
- No pets allowed in the park.
- No flammable materials, including fireworks, are allowed in the park.
Access
3-Chome Hiraoka 4-Jo, Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
[How to get here using public transportation]
From Oyachi Station on the Sapporo Tozai Line, board the “大69” bus on the Chuo Bus line, and disembark at 2-Chome Hiraoka 4-Jo station. It will be a 1-minute walk from there.
From Shin Sapporo Station on the Sapporo Tozai Line, board the “新111” bus on the Chuo Bus line, or the “循環新111” bus on the JR Bus line, and disembark at 2-Chome Hiraoka 4-Jo station. It will be a 2-minute walk from there.
[How to get here by car]
- 30 minutes from Downtown Sapporo
- One hour from New Chitose Airport (for those taking the regular route)
*Our parking lot can be extremely crowded during the autumn leaves season. You may visit us by public transport or by taxi.
