Sightseeing Spots in Sapporo

Sightseeing Spots in Sapporo

Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan with approximately two hundred million of population. It is the prefectural capital and the cultural, economic, and political center of Hokkaido. Sapporo is located in the middle of Hokkaido.

History of Sapporo started after the Edo Age (1603-1868) was ended. "Kaitakushi", Hokkaido Development Commission, was established in 1869, in order to administer, make economic development and secure the norther frontier, known as "Ezo" at that time. Hokkaido Development Commission was placed in Sapporo. The city of Sapporo was systematically constructed, starting from 1875. Hokkaido government office building in an American-neo-baroque-style structure with red bricks, was constructed in 1888.

At the beginning, Sapporo was only the political center of Hokkaido. After World War II, wholesalers and distributers, financial organs and branches of company's offices were moved from Otaru to Sapporo. Sapporo became also the economic center of Hokkaido. In 1972, Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, which was the first Winter Olympics ever held in Asia. Now, two million of tourists from abroad visit Sapporo, annually.

Sapporo Clock Tower
Uploaded: Aug. 06, 2022

Hokkaido University
Uploaded: Aug. 19, 2022

The Former Hokkaido Government Office
NEW! Sep. 03, 2022

Night View from Mt. Moiwa

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Sapporo Clock Tower

Sapporo Clock Tower seems the most well-known sightseeing spot in Sapporo. It was built in 1878, as the theatrical hall of the Sapporo Agricultural School. The Sapporo Agricultural School was the predecessor of present-day the Faculty of Agriculture of Hokkaido University.

Sapporo Clock Tower is located in the central part of Sapporo on Odori Street, which is the main street of Sapporo.

Sapporo Clock Tower looks very elegant. It is located between tall buildings and you may pass by the clock tower without noticing of it. However, the western-styled clock tower against the blue sky matches the symbolic image as new frontier.

The clock tower was designed by William Wheeler (1851-1932) . The scenery of the clock tower and the surrounding buildings looks like the scenery of a city in the United States, for me.

At night, Sapporo Clock Tower is illuminated. The illuminated clock tower is also very impressive. Sapporo Clock Tower is designated as an Important Property of Japan.

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Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University, located in Sapporo, used to be one of former seven Imperial Universities, which were founded by the Empire of Japan between 1886 and 1939. The former seven Imperial Universities are prestigious universities because of leading-edge studies and researches, high-level of educations.

Sapporo Agricultural College was established in 1875. The college was the predecessor of Hokkaido University. Hokkaido University was founded in 1918. The location of the main campus of Hokkaido University is just north of Sapporo Station.

University buildings are located among trees in the campus. A small brook flows in the campus. It looks like a beautiful garden.

The right bust in the right picture is that of NITOBE Inazo (1862-1933) , who studied at Sapporo Agricultural College. After he went to United States to study agricultural policy , he served as a professor at Sapporo Agricultural College, Kyoto Imperial University, and Tokyo Imperial University. He also served as the deputy secretary general of the League of Nations.

In winter, the campus of Hokkaido University is covered with snow. The scenery in winter is much different from that in summer and becomes much beautiful.

Glade of grass is also covered with snow.

The scenery of Hokkaido University in winter is much different from that in summer. The scenery in winter is also very beautiful. Childrens played in the snow.

The west part of Hokkaido University campus is farm for research of the agricultural faculty. Between the farm and university buildings, the row of poplars is located.

In 2004, these poplars were seriously damaged by typhoon. Almost half of them among fifty poplars fell down. Poplar saplings planted after the typhoon grew up and the row of poplars is getting back how it used to be.

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The Former Hokkaido Government Office

The Hokkaido Government Office is located to the south-west from Sapporo Station. It will take you approximately fifteen minutes on foot from Sapporo Station to the Hokkaido Government Office. In front of the current Hokkaido Government Office, the Former Hokkaido Government Office is located.

The approach to the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building has lines of Ginkgo Trees on the both sides of the street. At the end of the approach, the entrance of Hokkaido Government Office is located.

The Former Hokkaido Government Office was built in 1888, designed by HIRAI Seijiro (1856-1926) .

The architecture of the Former Hokkaido Government Office is an American neo-baroque style. Red bricks cover the surface of the building. On the top of the building, an octagonal dome is located. The Former Hokkaido Government Office is very gorgeous and exotic.

After the new government office building was built in 1968, the Former Hokkaido Government Office has been preserved as the Archives of Hokkaido. The Former Hokkaido Government Office is also open for the public.

The garden in front of the Former Hokkaido Government Office is also beautiful. In autumn, you will see beautiful colored leaves.

The Former Hokkaido Government Office is designated as an important cultural property of Japan in 1969. It is well-known for a sightseeing spot in Sapporo.

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