Former Hokkaidō Government Office
Former Hokkaidō Government Office, Historical government building in Sapporo, Japan.
Description
The Former Hokkaidō Government Office is a baroque revival administrative building in the Kita-san-jo Nishi district of Sapporo. The structure displays deep red brick walls with white corner trim and window frames, a central octagonal dome above the entrance, and two side wings extending symmetrically from the main body.
History
Architect Hirai Seijiro designed the office as the new seat of prefectural administration after it was established by imperial government two years prior. The building was completed in 1888 and served as an active administrative center until 1968 before being converted into cultural heritage.
Culture
The name Akarenga, meaning red brick, is commonly used by locals when referring to this building. Visitors can walk through rooms filled with historical documents from the Meiji era that show how administration and settlement were organized across the island.
Practical
The building sits roughly eight walking minutes from Sapporo Station and admission is free for all areas including exhibition rooms and archives. Most rooms are located on the ground floor and can be reached without stairs, while the courtyard offers a pathway through the gardens.
Did you know?
The lower tiers of the walls use darker stones manufactured from a special clay blend to support the heavy load of upper floors. This technique helped the building survive multiple winter storms and earthquakes in the region.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (北○条西).
Sapporo Clock Tower
486 m
Sapporo TV Tower
752 m
JR Tower
581 m
Sapporo Sosei Square
622 m
STELLAR PLACE SAPPORO
546 m
Kanamoto Hall
644 m
Hokkaido Shiki Theatre
842 m
Government of Sapporo
582 m
Nissay Sapporo Building
223 m
Sapporo Ramen Republic
552 m
4-chome Plaza
686 m
Hokuyo Odori Center
463 m
札幌センタービル
354 m
三吉神社 (札幌市)
654 m
Hokkaido Government Main Building
89 m
札幌媒體園 Spica
431 mHokkaidō Prefectural Board of Education
213 m
Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan Sapporo Church
736 m
Hokkaido University Botanical Gardens
451 m
Doshin Hall
510 m
Honjin tanuki-daimyōjinsha
781 m札幌北ビル
707 m
Seikatei
642 m
Hokkaido Ainu Center
231 m
ザ・ライオンズ大通公園タワー
654 m
Batchelor Memorial Building
421 m
Miyabe Kingo Memorial Building
303 m
Sapporo ESTA
555 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes