Historical Village of Hokkaido

The Historical Village of Hokkaido (Hokkaido Kaitaku no Mura) is an open-air museum in Sapporo that preserves and displays the architectural heritage of Hokkaido's development period. Established in 1983, the village spans approximately 54 hectares in the Nopporo Forest Park area and contains 52 historically significant buildings relocated from various parts of Hokkaido. These structures date primarily from the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868-1926), when Japan actively colonized and developed the northern island.

The museum provides crucial insight into Hokkaido's transformation from indigenous Ainu territory to a modernized Japanese prefecture. Buildings are organized into four thematic districts: Town, Fishing Village, Farm Village, and Mountain Village. Each structure represents authentic architecture and living conditions of its era, including merchant houses, a post office, a newspaper printing house, farmhouses, and a traditional herring fishery building. The village demonstrates how settlers adapted mainland Japanese building techniques to Hokkaido's harsh climate while incorporating Western architectural influences introduced during the Meiji Restoration.

Visitors can explore the buildings both from outside and inside, with many featuring period-appropriate furnishings, tools, and household items. Volunteer guides dressed in historical costumes provide demonstrations of traditional crafts and daily activities during peak seasons. Horse-drawn sleigh rides operate in winter months, while horse-drawn carriage rides are available in summer, offering authentic transportation experiences from the settlement era. Several buildings function as workshops where visitors can try traditional crafts such as weaving or woodworking.

The village is located approximately 13 kilometers northeast of central Sapporo in Atsubetsu Ward. Access is available via the JR Shinrin Kouen Station on the Hakodate Line, followed by a 15-minute walk or shuttle bus. Alternatively, take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus from Shin-Sapporo Station to the Historical Village entrance, a journey of roughly 20 minutes. Admission costs ¥800 for adults and ¥600 for university and high school students, with discounted rates for groups and free entry for children under 15. Parking facilities accommodate private vehicles for those driving from Sapporo city center.