Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University stands as one of Japan's most prestigious institutions and a remarkable urban destination in central Sapporo. Founded in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, it was among Japan's first modern academic institutions, established with the help of American educator William S. Clark and an initial class of 24 students. The college evolved through various stages, becoming part of Tohoku Imperial University in 1907 before emerging as Hokkaido Imperial University in 1918. The university's enduring motto, "Boys, be ambitious!", stems from Clark's parting words to students in 1877 and continues to inspire visitors today.

The Sapporo campus occupies approximately 180 hectares in the heart of the city—equivalent to 38 Tokyo Domes—making it one of the world's largest urban university campuses. Remarkably, only 12% of this vast space contains buildings, while the remaining 88% comprises farms, forests, creeks, and green spaces that function as Sapporo's ecological "lungs". The campus preserves numerous historic structures from the Meiji era alongside modern facilities, creating a distinctive blend of heritage and contemporary academic life. The campus has been recognized as Japan's most beautiful university campus, drawing tourists year-round to experience its seasonal transformations.

Visitors should begin at the Information Center "Elm Forest", located just inside the Main Gate. This eco-friendly facility offers campus maps, tourist information, and houses both Café de Gohan and the Hokkaido University Original Shop. The center provides essential orientation for navigating the expansive grounds. Beyond the information center, the Central Lawn offers a peaceful green space where students and locals gather, surrounded by mature trees and crossed by the Sakushukotoni River—an artificial waterway restored in 2001 that once saw salmon migrations.

The Ginkgo Avenue presents one of the campus's most photogenic features, running 380 meters long with 70 trees lining each side. During autumn, the avenue transforms into a golden corridor that attracts photographers and nature enthusiasts. The historic Poplar Avenue, though partially damaged by a 2004 typhoon, has been restored and now features an 80-meter walking path. Ono Pond, situated near the campus center, serves as a favorite resting spot with wild ducks and lotus flowers, adjacent to the student-accessible Restaurant "Elm".

The Hokkaido University Museum, housed in a former Science Building, displays over 4 million biological, geological, archaeological, and historic specimens collected since the institution's founding. Notable exhibits include fossils of Nipponosaurus and Desmostylus, offering insights into the region's natural history. The university also maintains the Sapporo Agricultural College Farm No. 2 at the northern campus boundary, where visitors can explore historic farm buildings from 1877, including the Model Barn designed by William Wheeler and Japan's oldest surviving silo from 1912.

The Main Gate sits approximately 7-10 minutes on foot from Sapporo Station's north exit. Alternatively, visitors can take the Namboku Subway Line from Sapporo Station to Kita 12-jo Station (one stop), which provides access to the northern campus areas. Taxis from the station typically cost around 700 yen due to the short distance. The main campus walking route covers approximately 6 kilometers and can be explored at a leisurely pace. The campus remains open to the public for free throughout the year, functioning much like a public park for both locals and tourists. Note that the campus shuttle bus is restricted to staff and business visitors, not available for students or tourists.