Hokkaido Governor's Official Residence, Tudor style residence in Chuo-ku, Japan
The Hokkaido Governor's Official Residence is a government building in Tudor style in Chuo-ku, Sapporo, featuring distinctive red and white exterior walls. The two-story structure contains rooms with high ceilings, designed according to the principles of this English architectural style.
The building was constructed in 1936 as a vacation home for the Mitsui Company and came under prefecture ownership in 1953. This transition marked its conversion from private residence to an official seat of regional administration.
The building shows how Western architecture was once embraced in Japan as a sign of modernity and international standing. The red and white exterior speaks to a time when such construction styles were still uncommon in Hokkaido.
The residence is open daily and sits roughly a 5-minute walk from the Subway Tozai Line's West 18th Street station. Its downtown location makes it easy to visit alongside other cultural activities in the area.
Beneath the grounds lie remains of a pit dwelling over 1000 years old from prehistoric times. This archaeological discovery connects the modern administrative site directly with ancient Hokkaido.
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