Hokkaido University
北海道大学
One of the places locals name first when asked what to see here.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
What this place is
Hokkaido University (北海道大学, Hokkaidō daigaku), or Hokudai (北大), is a public research university in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Founded in 1918, it is the fifth-oldest government-authorised university in Japan and one of the former Imperial Universities. The university finds its roots in Sapporo Agricultural College, which was a pioneer in the country's modern agricultural education and research, founded in 1876. The university's motto is 'Boys, Be Ambitious', which is said to be the parting words of the American dean of the Agricultural College, William S. Clark. The university has 12 undergraduate faculties and 21 postgraduate schools. The university mainly operates on two campuses: the main campus is located in downtown Sapporo, just north of Sapporo Station, and the other campus is located in Hakodate, primarily used by the Faculty of Fishery Sciences.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- A setting that gives you the character of the area in a single visit.
- Scenery and detail that shift with the season, the weather and the time of day.
- Easy to combine with other stops nearby, so it works as the anchor of a half-day plan.
What you can do here
- Take the main viewpoint first, then explore the quieter edges most visitors skip.
- Read the on-site information boards — they usually explain far more than online listings.
- Photograph in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewest people.
- Pair the visit with a nearby café, market or hot spring to round out the trip.
Getting there
We do not have step-by-step transit directions for this spot yet. Open the location on Google Maps for routes from where you are staying.
Good to know before you go
- Check the last admission and last bus/train before you go; rural services stop early.
- Carry cash — smaller sites and rural transport may not accept cards or IC.
- Weekday mornings are consistently the calmest time to visit.
Traveler reviews
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