Hidden Tourist Spot in Sapporo! Exploring the Charm of the Atmospheric Hokkaido University

Hokkaido University is one of Sapporo’s hidden tourist spots. Within its campus, you’ll find many historic buildings constructed during the time of its predecessor, the Sapporo Agricultural College. From the Meiji era, you can see the energy of the many people who devoted themselves to the development of Hokkaido, as well as the various cultures that came from abroad, giving you a sense of Hokkaido’s history. With a vast campus of approximately 660 million square meters—the largest in Japan—Hokkaido University offers plenty to explore. Why not take a stroll around the grounds and trace the history of Hokkaido?

1. Statue of Dr. Clark

Dr. Clark is famous for the phrase, “Boys, be ambitious.” Why did he, then the president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, become the first vice-principal of Sapporo Agricultural College? It all began when he was teaching chemistry at Amherst College and met a Japanese exchange student—Niijima Jo, the founder of Doshisha University.
Through this connection, he was invited by the Japanese government to become vice-principal of Sapporo Agricultural College. Although his stay lasted only 8 months, he became a great figure who laid the foundation for the institution. Several statues of Dr. Clark can be found at Hokkaido University, but the bust located on the expansive lawn known as the Central Lawn is the most well-known and often featured in travel magazines.

2. Furukawa Memorial Hall

Beyond the Central Lawn, where the statue of Dr. Clark stands, lies the Furukawa Memorial Hall. This building was constructed with funds donated by Toranosuke Furukawa, the third-generation head of the Furukawa Mining Company, a zaibatsu of the Meiji era. It is a Renaissance-style building with a retro design typical of the era, symmetrically built around its entrance porch. As the first Renaissance-style building in Hokkaido, it stands out prominently on the university campus.
The Furukawa Memorial Hall is also a cultural heritage site of Sapporo and was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan on September 3, 1997. Today, it is mainly used by the Faculty of Letters at Hokkaido University, and its interior is not open for public viewing. However, its exterior can be admired, and even that alone gives a strong sense of the charm of the time.

3. Hokkaido University Museum

Hokkaido University was founded in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College. After transitioning to Tohoku Imperial University’s Agricultural College and then Hokkaido Imperial University, it became Hokkaido University in 1947. The “Hokkaido University Museum” (nicknamed Hokudai Museum) is a sightseeing spot where you can learn about the history of the university as well as view exhibits and materials from its various faculties.
You can learn about figures associated with Sapporo Agricultural College, such as Inazo Nitobe, Kanzo Uchimura, Takeo Arishima, and Masatate Oshima. Specimens of insects and fish, archaeological relics, and even a complete 4-meter-long skeleton of a Desmostylus are on display. The museum is free and open to everyone, not just Hokkaido University students. Inside, there is also a souvenir shop and café where you can find unique Hokkaido University goods and menu items.

4. Second Farm of Sapporo Agricultural College

The “Second Farm” was once the livestock and farm management training facility of Sapporo Agricultural College. Dr. Clark named it the “Model Barn” (Sapporo Agricultural College Model Barn) in the hope that it would serve as a model for the future of Hokkaido’s agriculture. It can truly be called the birthplace of livestock farming in Japan.
Centered around the Model Barn, the Second Farm also includes structures such as a harvesting room, granary, cattle barn, breeding barn, and dairy barn. Inside the buildings, farming equipment and historical materials from the early Meiji era are exhibited. In 1969, the farm was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, as well as a cultural heritage site of Sapporo. Exhibits are open to the public free of charge from late April to early November.

5. Poplar Avenue

Poplar Avenue is famous as a symbol of Hokkaido University. It has been selected as one of the “100 Cultural Heritages of Sapporo Hometown” and the “88 Historical and Cultural Selections of Kita Ward.” The seedlings of these poplars were brought from America to Sapporo by Hiroshi Mori, the son of Genzo Mori, the second president of Sapporo Agricultural College. Later, when Dr. Takajiro Minami traveled to America, he purchased many of them to serve as windbreaks for farms, and the students of Sapporo Agricultural College worked together to plant them.
Walking along Poplar Avenue, you can truly feel the wisdom and pioneering spirit of many people. It is even introduced on websites for foreign visitors as a popular spot in Sapporo. In the adjacent arboretum, you can see black lilies, which were traditionally used by the Ainu people as dye, blooming in May. At the entrance, you’ll also find a bust of Inazo Nitobe.

6. Former Sapporo Agricultural College Entomology and Sericulture Classroom

The “Former Sapporo Agricultural College Entomology and Sericulture Classroom” is an impressive building with an emerald-green hip roof. At the time of the Sapporo Agricultural College, it was the oldest building. Designed by architect Seiichiro Nakajo, it follows an American style. Nakajo was a first-class architect whose works include the Keio University Library in Minato Ward, Tokyo, designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch in Otaru, among many other historical buildings.
Currently, only the exterior of the Former Entomology and Sericulture Classroom can be viewed, but it too is designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Nearby, you will also find the former Sapporo Agricultural College library, reading room, and archives, which are likewise registered as Tangible Cultural Properties. These buildings can also only be viewed from the outside, but are worth visiting together.

7. Central Lawn and Sakushukotoni River

If you enter through the main gate of Hokkaido University and walk straight ahead, you’ll find a plaza of lawns and trees called the Central Lawn, a place of relaxation for students. Flowing through the center is a small stream called the Sakushukotoni River. In Ainu, “Sa-kushu-kotoni” means “the Kotoni River crossing toward the beach.” The river’s source originally came from a spring on the estate of Kamejiro Ito, founder of Ito Construction, whose residence was located north of the Hokkaido University Botanical Garden.
Together with the now-vanished spring of Kairakuen, this small stream flowed into Hokkaido University. Downstream in the campus lies Ohno Pond, where lotus flowers bloom. Benches are placed around the area, making it a perfect spot to rest and enjoy nature after a walk. Depending on the season, you may even see ducks. It’s a recommended natural spot in Sapporo.

8. Elm Forest Café

Right by the main gate of Hokkaido University, the café is attached to the Elm Forest Information Center. While the university is filled with many historical buildings, this one stands out with its modern and stylish design. With high ceilings and a spacious layout, it offers a great sense of openness. The wooden-deck terrace is also wide, allowing you to relax while feeling the changing seasons.
The menu is extensive and reasonably priced. A recommended dish is the shrimp tomato cream pasta. A wide variety of drinks are also available, such as jasmine tea, caramel cappuccino, and iced mango au lait. Whether for lunch or just a break, it’s a stylish café that you can easily drop by.

9. Clark Cafeteria

The “Clark Cafeteria” is a student cafeteria that’s friendly to the wallets of Hokkaido University students. But its appeal isn’t just its affordability—its good taste also attracts many office workers and tourists, making it lively every day. Its specialty is the beef toro rice bowl. Mix the hot rice and beef toro flakes well with a spoon, and you’ll enjoy beef toro that melts in your mouth—an exquisite dish! It’s so popular that it often sells out.
The dessert menu is also plentiful, with soft-serve ice cream available in flavors like mango, vanilla, black sesame, and chocolate. The salad is served buffet-style, letting you eat as much fresh Hokkaido-grown vegetables as you like. Being able to enjoy such affordable and delicious food in Sapporo is quite a bargain. Be sure to stop by during your Hokkaido University visit.

10. Restaurant Royal

Inside Hokkaido University Hospital is the restaurant “Royal.” It’s a family restaurant where you can relax without worry, even with small children. The hospital and restaurant work together to serve hospital meals that are also available to the general public. You can enjoy health-conscious menus made with plenty of vegetables and meats produced in Hokkaido.
With a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, the weekday lunch also offers daily specials. The curry menu is particularly extensive, featuring seafood curry, vegetable curry, Kashmiri curry, Java beef curry, and even soup curry, a Hokkaido specialty. The restaurant also has a good selection of desserts such as sundaes and soft serve ice cream, making it a convenient spot to stop by for a short break.

11. Restaurant Elm

The “Sapporo Grand Hotel” is the oldest-established hotel in Sapporo. Its outpost restaurant, “Restaurant Elm,” is located within the grounds of Hokkaido University. It offers a refined atmosphere where you can feel as though you’re enjoying a luxurious time even while on campus. The window-side seats are especially recommended, as they offer a sweeping view of Hokkaido University.
Despite the elegant atmosphere, the food is rich and the prices are reasonable, ensuring satisfaction. The most popular dish is the “Clark Curry,” which features deep-fried vegetables and Hokkaido beef, topped with a flavorful curry roux that will leave you feeling delighted. Other menu highlights include grilled young chicken, pork steak, and fondant au chocolat. Since it gets crowded during lunch hours, reservations are recommended.

12. Souvenirs

Hokkaido University offers many unique souvenirs. One of the most popular is the “Sapporo Agricultural College Hokkaido Milk Cookies.” Produced by the famous Sapporo confectioner “Kinotoya,” these light-textured cookies are well-known among locals for their gentle flavor.
A rarer souvenir is the Japanese sake “Poplar Avenue Daiginjo,” which comes in a bottle designed to evoke the tall poplar trees. It has a light taste and refreshing aroma, making it popular with women. The plum wine “Snow Angels” features a bottle decorated with snow crystal designs supervised by the Institute of Low Temperature Science at Hokkaido University. It is characterized by a refreshing acidity and plum fragrance. All of these souvenirs are crafted to reflect the image of Hokkaido University, making them perfect as gifts from Sapporo.

◎ Summary

Hokkaido University is not only a place where you can enjoy historical buildings from the Meiji era and vast natural surroundings—it’s also a hidden sightseeing spot where you can dine, take breaks, and buy souvenirs. You can spend your time tracing the history of Hokkaido’s pioneering days or strolling through the wide, nature-filled campus.
Since the grounds are vast, be sure to check the campus map before you start your walk. It’s also essential to know where the restaurants and cafés are, so you can take a rest whenever you need it!