Home > HOKKAIDO 北海道 > Sapporo 札幌市 > Former Hokkaido Government Office Building 北海道庁旧本庁舎

ho010-IMG_00915.jpg
Built in 1888, the former Hokkaido Government Office Building is one of Hokkaido's most famous buildings at the heart of Sapporo. With its red brick walls, it stands out among Sapporo's more modern buildings.
ho011-IMG_00921.jpg
The building was akin to Hokkaido's capitol where the governor's office was located. It was used for 80 years. Open 9 am - 5 pm, closed Dec. 29-Jan. 3. Free admission. Near Sapporo Station's south exit and visible from Ekimae-dori road.
ho012-IMG_00923.jpg
Nicknamed "Akarenga Chosha" (Red Brick Government Building), a fire in 1909 gutted the interior, but the exterior was little damaged. The building was restored in 1911. 赤れんが庁舎
ho013-IMG_00931.jpg
Most of the building materials, stones and wood, were procured from Hokkaido. The building is flanked by yaezakura cherry trees which bloom in early May.
ho014-IMG_00926.jpg
Tulips also give a colorful touch to the grounds. In 1968, the building was restored to its original state, and it has been preserved since then. It has an American Neo-baroque style.
ho015-IMG_00936.jpg
In March 1969, it was designated as an Important Cultural Property. Its 2.5 million bricks were made locally and laid in a French style.
ho016-IMG_00937.jpg
ho017-IMG_01003.jpg
ho018-IMG_00941.jpg
The roof has chimney-like ventilation outlets.
ho019-IMG_00947.jpg
ho020-IMG_00946.jpg
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building and tulips, Sapporo
ho021-IMG_00960.jpg
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building and yaezakura cherry blossoms, Sapporo
ho022-IMG_00955.jpg
Adjacent pond and cherry blossoms
ho023-IMG_00956.jpg
ho024-IMG_01004.jpg
G8 Summit countdown sign
ho025-IMG_00969.jpg
The interior of the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is just as dignified as the exterior. This triple-arch staircase is what you first see when you enter the building.
ho026-IMG_01001.jpg
Rear of the triple-arch staircase.
ho027-IMG_00972.jpg
Going to the 2nd floor.
ho028-IMG_00971.jpg
Most of the rooms open to the public are on the 2nd floor.
ho029-IMG_00992.jpg
Staircase and G8 Summit sign
ho030-IMG_00974.jpg
Second floor corridor.
ho031-IMG_00973.jpg
On the right is the entrance to the former Governor's office
ho032-IMG_00966.jpg
The second floor has several large rooms. This is the Hokkaido Archives where Hokkaido's historical documents and records are kept.
ho033-IMG_00967.jpg
Cannon balls
ho034-IMG_00976.jpg
Inside the former office of the Governor. There's a large conference table and the walls are decorated with portraits of past Hokkaido governors.
ho035-IMG_00983.jpg
Portraits of past Hokkaido governors. The bottom row are the most recent governors.
ho036-IMG_00981.jpg
A stately room. The governor's desk is in the right corner.
ho037-IMG_00978.jpg
Governor's desk in the governor's former office.
ho038-IMG_00997.jpg
Another room on the 2nd floor shows Hokkaido's international relations with sister states in Alberta, Canada; Massachusetts, USA; and Heilongjiang, China.
ho039-IMG_00996.jpg
From Alberta, Canada
ho040-IMG_00995.jpg
From Massachusetts, USA. The famous Dr. William Clark was from this US state.
ho041-IMG_00994.jpg
Photos of international sister state exchanges.
ho042-IMG_00975.jpg
Red bricks
ho043-IMG_00998.jpg
Karafuto/Sakhalin Resource Library
ho044-IMG_00999.jpg
Hokkaido History Gallery occupies another room on the 2nd floor.
ho045-IMG_01000.jpg
Hokkaido History Gallery includes wildlife exhibit.
ho046-IMG_00985.jpg
There's also the Northern Territories Room with exhibits clamoring for the return of the northern territories (Shikotan, Habomai, Etorofu). now occupied by Russia.
ho047-IMG_00988.jpg
ho048-IMG_00986.jpg
Petition for the return of the Northern Territories. As of late April 2008, over 80.3 million people signed the petition.
ho049-IMG_00989.jpg
Poster for the return of the Northern Territories
ho050-IMG_00990.jpg
Poster for the return of the Northern Territories. Her braided hair resembles the northern islands.
ho051-IMG_00964.jpg
First floor corridor. Most of the rooms on the 1st floor are closed to the public.
ho052-IMG_00916.jpg
Point Zero for Hokkaido's travel distances.
ho053-IMG_00914.jpg
Along the road to the former government building are display panels about Hokkaido's hisotry. Here's one about the early foreigners in Hokkaido.
44 files on 1 page(s)