Former Hokkaidō Government Office, Historical government building in Sapporo, Japan.
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.
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.
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 Visitors can walk through rooms filled with historical documents from the Meiji era that show how administration and settlement were organized across the island.
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.
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.
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