Site of the Hokkaidō Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office and the Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building: Where Japan's Northern Frontier Story Began
In the heart of downtown Sapporo, just north of the famous Ōdōri Park, stands one of Japan's most beloved historic buildings — an elegant red-brick structure crowned by an octagonal tower. Known affectionately as "Akarenga Chōsha" (the Red Brick Office), the Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building rests on a site of even deeper historical significance: the very ground where the Hokkaidō Kaitakushi (Hokkaidō Development Commission) once governed Japan's vast northern frontier during the Meiji period. Together, the archaeological remains of the Kaitakushi's original office and the surviving Meiji-era brick building have been designated as a National Historic Site, commemorating the dawn of modern Hokkaidō.
After a major renovation project lasting from 2019 to 2025, the Red Brick Office reopened its doors on July 25, 2025, welcoming visitors once more into a beautifully restored Meiji-era interior — now refreshed with new exhibitions, a popular sweets shop, an eight-sided tower observation experience, and a renewed mission as a hub for sharing Hokkaidō's history, culture, and tourism information with the world.
Historical Background: From Frontier Office to Symbol of a Modernizing Nation
The story of this site begins in 1869, when the newly established Meiji government created the Kaitakushi to oversee the development of Ezo — the historic name for the lands that would soon be renamed Hokkaidō. Charged with surveying, colonizing, and modernizing Japan's northernmost territory, the Kaitakushi played a pivotal role in shaping the country's modern identity.
The Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office (1873–1879)
In 1872, the Kaitakushi's central office was renamed the Sapporo Main Office, and construction of a new headquarters began on a generous plot of land stretching from West 4-chōme to West 8-chōme and from North 1-jō to North 6-jō — encompassing much of today's Hokkaidō government precinct. The first main office, a two-story wooden building topped by a striking eight-sided tower, was completed on October 29, 1873. However, on January 17, 1879, it was destroyed by fire. After the Kaitakushi was abolished in 1882 and Japan briefly experimented with a three-prefecture system in Hokkaidō, a fresh chapter began.
The Red Brick Office Building (1888–present)
In 1886, the Hokkaidō Government was newly established, inheriting a reduced version of the original Kaitakushi grounds. Construction of a grand new brick headquarters began on July 15 of that year and was completed on December 14, 1888. Designed under the direction of architect Hirai Seijirō, the new building was constructed in an American-influenced Neo-Baroque style — a rarity in Meiji-era Japan, which more typically looked to British or French models. Around 2.5 million bricks, produced in the nearby villages of Shiroishi and Toyohira, were used to clad the structure.
Tragedy struck again on January 11, 1909, when a fire gutted the interior and roof. Remarkably, the brick exterior walls survived, and the building was repaired by November 1911. It continued to serve as the seat of Hokkaidō's government for nearly 80 years, until a new prefectural office building was completed in 1968.
Why This Site Was Designated a National Historic Site
In October 1967, during construction of the new Hokkaidō government building next door, archaeologists discovered the foundation piles and parts of the wooden bedding (sutedodai) of the original Kaitakushi main office buried in the ground. This unexpected find offered tangible evidence of one of the most important administrative seats of Meiji-era Japan.
Recognizing the immense historical significance of this discovery — and the fact that the surviving Red Brick Office Building stood as the direct successor to the Kaitakushi headquarters — the Agency for Cultural Affairs designated both elements together as a National Historic Site on December 15, 1967, under the name "Site of the Hokkaidō Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office and the Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building." The designation honors the site's pivotal role in chronicling Japan's modernization and the opening of its northern frontier.
Separately, the Red Brick Office Building itself was designated as a National Important Cultural Property on March 12, 1969, recognizing its outstanding architectural value as one of the largest and most significant brick Western-style buildings of the mid-Meiji period.
Highlights and Architectural Features
The Octagonal Tower and Red Star
Rising above the building's center, the octagonal tower (hakkakutō) is the most distinctive feature of the Red Brick Office. Look closely at the building's facade and gables and you will spot another striking emblem: the five-pointed red star (goryōsei), the official insignia of the Kaitakushi. Inspired by the North Star, it symbolized independence, pioneering spirit, and the guidance of the new northern administration.
American-Influenced Neo-Baroque Architecture
The building's symmetrical three-arched entrance, ornamental pediments, and dignified proportions reflect an unusual American Neo-Baroque influence — a stylistic choice that nods to the Kaitakushi's reliance on American advisors such as Horace Capron, who helped shape Hokkaidō's early modernization through agriculture, mining, and infrastructure.
Meiji-Era Glass and the Grand Entrance Hall
Step inside and you may notice the gentle warps and ripples in some of the windowpanes — original hand-blown glass dating from the Meiji period that beautifully distorts the view outside, lending a dreamlike quality to the experience. The grand entrance hall, with its richly carpeted staircase, is a favorite spot for photographs.
New Exhibitions After the 2025 Renewal
Following the comprehensive renovation completed in July 2025, the building now houses thoughtfully redesigned exhibitions across three floors. The basement is dedicated to learning and heritage, the first floor to regional information and dining, and the second floor to history and culture. Highlights include a life-size replica of the 26-section map of Hokkaidō drawn by Matsuura Takeshirō — who is credited with naming "Hokkaidō" — and a detailed diorama of Meiji-era Sapporo. For an additional fee, visitors can join guided tours that include access to the octagonal tower observation experience or a "Premium Guided Tour" with deeper commentary.
The Front Garden and Pond
The building's front garden, with its lawn, pond, and seasonal plantings, has long been a favorite gathering place for Sapporo residents. Mallard ducks and carp glide across the pond, while tulips bloom in early summer and the surrounding ginkgo trees blaze gold in autumn. The path leading up to the entrance from Kita 3-jō-dōri offers one of the city's most photographed approaches.
Visitor Information
The Red Brick Office Building reopened on July 25, 2025, after a multi-year renovation. The building is now managed by the Hokkaidō Akarenga Future Organization on behalf of the prefectural government.
Opening hours are 8:45 to 21:00, with last entry at 20:30. The surrounding grounds are open from 7:00 to 21:00 for strolling. The site is closed during the year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 to January 3) and on designated facility maintenance days. General admission is 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for university and high school students, and free for junior high school students and younger.
Optional experiences include the Octagonal Tower viewing tour (1,200 yen, four times daily, about 30 minutes, maximum 7 people per session) and the Premium Guided Tour (500 yen for adults, 250 yen for students, four times daily, about 60 minutes, maximum 15 people per session). The first floor includes a free-entry zone with the "Shiroi Koibito Akarenga Sweets Labo," the restaurant HOUSE.H, and the Akarenga Shop selling Hokkaidō souvenirs. Please confirm the latest information on the official website before your visit, as schedules and fees may change.
Nearby Attractions
The Red Brick Office sits at the heart of central Sapporo, surrounded by some of the city's most rewarding sightseeing destinations.
- Sapporo Clock Tower (Former Drill Hall of Sapporo Agricultural College) — Another Important Cultural Property dating from the Kaitakushi era, just a few minutes' walk south.
- Ōdōri Park — Sapporo's iconic central park, stretching east to west and host to the Snow Festival each February.
- Sapporo Station — Less than a 10-minute walk to the north, offering shopping, dining, and connections throughout Hokkaidō.
- Kita 3-jō Plaza (Akapla) — A pedestrian space paved with locally produced red bricks from Ebetsu, opened in 2014.
- Hokkaidō University — On the site of the former Sapporo Agricultural College, where William S. Clark famously said, "Boys, be ambitious!"
- Kitakarō Sapporo Honkan — A nearby café and confectionery housed in a historic building, offering Hokkaidō sweets and a memorable view of the Red Brick Office.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hokkaido
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Site of the Hokkaido Development Commission Sapporo Head
- [ Explore Sapporo Snow Festivals & Lavender Fields ]
Q&A
- Is the building open to the public after the renovation?
- Yes. After a major renovation lasting from 2019 to 2025, the Red Brick Office reopened on July 25, 2025. The interior, exhibitions, and visitor facilities have all been refreshed, and the building once again welcomes visitors daily from 8:45 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30).
- What is the difference between the "site" and the "building" within this designation?
- The National Historic Site designation covers two related but distinct elements. The "site" refers to the underground archaeological remains — the foundation piles and bedding of the original Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office (completed 1873, destroyed by fire 1879) discovered in 1967. The "building" is the surviving Red Brick Office completed in 1888, which inherited the role of the Kaitakushi headquarters and stood as Hokkaidō's seat of government for 80 years.
- What does the red star on the building mean?
- The five-pointed red star, called the goryōsei, was the official symbol of the Kaitakushi. Inspired by the North Star, it represented the pioneering spirit and the guiding role of the development commission in opening up Hokkaidō. You can spot it throughout the building's exterior and interior.
- How do I get to the Red Brick Office from Sapporo Station?
- It is about an 8-to-10-minute walk south from JR Sapporo Station. You can also take the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line to Sapporo Station or Ōdōri Station — the building is roughly a 5-to-10-minute walk from either. The address is 6-chōme Kita 3-jō Nishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo.
- Is the octagonal tower viewing experience worth the extra fee?
- For visitors with a strong interest in architecture or Hokkaidō history, the octagonal tower experience offers a rare opportunity to climb into one of Sapporo's most iconic architectural features and view the surrounding cityscape from a Meiji-era vantage point. Sessions are limited to four times daily with only seven participants each, so reservations are recommended.
Basic Information
| Name | Site of the Hokkaidō Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office and the Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building (Kaitakushi Sapporo Honchō Honchōsha Ato oyobi Kyū Hokkaidō-chō Honchōsha) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Historic Site (designated December 15, 1967). The Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building was separately designated as a National Important Cultural Property on March 12, 1969. |
| Location | 6-chōme Kita 3-jō Nishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō |
| Architect | Hirai Seijirō (principal designer of the Red Brick Office Building) |
| Completion | Red Brick Office Building: December 14, 1888 (Meiji 21). Original Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office: October 29, 1873 (Meiji 6, destroyed by fire 1879) |
| Structure | Brick construction, 2 stories above ground with a half-basement, octagonal tower above; approximately 2.5 million bricks used in the exterior |
| Architectural Style | American-influenced Neo-Baroque |
| Opening Hours | 8:45–21:00 (last entry 20:30); grounds open 7:00–21:00 |
| Admission | Adults 300 yen; university/high school students 200 yen; junior high school students and younger free |
| Closed | December 29 – January 3; designated maintenance days |
| Access | About 8–10 minutes' walk from JR Sapporo Station; about 5–10 minutes' walk from Sapporo or Ōdōri Subway Stations |
References
- Bunka Isan Online (Cultural Heritage Online) — Site of the Hokkaidō Kaitakushi Sapporo Main Office and the Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/189962
- Agency for Cultural Affairs — National Cultural Properties Database
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/401/41
- Hokkaidō Prefecture — Conservation and Utilization Plan for the Historic Site
- https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sm/zsk/fm/akarengarenewal/shisekikatyou.html
- Hokkaidō Prefecture — Red Brick Office Renovation Portal
- https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sm/zsk/fm/akarengarenewal/top.html
- Sapporo Official Tourist Information — Former Hokkaidō Government Office Building
- https://www.sapporo.travel/spot/facility/former_hokkaido_government_office/
- HOKKAIDO LOVE! Official Hokkaidō Tourism Site
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/spot/detail_11185.html
- Wikipedia (Japanese) — Hokkaidō-chō Kyū Honchōsha
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/北海道庁旧本庁舎
Last verified: 2026.05.14