Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Observation deck in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Japan
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is a lookout on a hill in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, within the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center. From the top, visitors see the Ishikari Plain and the Sapporo Dome below. A bronze statue of William S. Clark, 2.85 meters tall on a granite base, stands with his right arm raised. Sheep graze on the grass in front of a wire fence.
The hill was developed from 1906 as a national cattle breeding station, and sheep breeding began in 1919, giving the name Hitsujigaoka, "hill of sheep". In 1959 the observation deck opened within the Hokkaido National Agricultural Research Center after the Sapporo Tourist Association petitioned for public access. The bronze statue of Dr. William S. Clark was erected in 1976 as a centennial monument to his visit to Hokkaido.
The name Hitsujigaoka, "hill of sheep", comes from the sheep breeding begun here in 1919. Each year in early May, during Golden Week, staff shear the flock in a public demonstration. Since 2003 the hill has also hosted the Japan Dattan New Soba Festival in late September or early October.
The site lies within the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center grounds in Toyohira-ku, and Hokkaido Chuo Bus runs from Fukuzumi Station to the Hitsujigaoka Tenbodai stop in about 10 minutes. Buses from Hiragake Station also serve the hill, and the New Chitose Airport shuttle stops at Fukuzumi 3-jo 9-chome by the entrance. Visitors arriving by bus pay the admission fee at the booth beside the terminal stop.
The Rest House serves Jingisukan, Hokkaido's mutton barbecue cooked on a dome-shaped grill at the table. The Sapporo Snow Festival Museum opened on the grounds in 2001; in December 2024 a life-size Snow Miku statue was moved into its entrance hall from New Chitose Airport.
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