Hokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue — Attraction in Sapporo

The Hokkaido University Museum is just a 10-minute walk from the North Exit of Sapporo Station and admission is free. Among the buildings on the Hokkaido University campus, the museum exudes a formidable presence and sense of history.

Since its completion in 1929 until 1999, the building was used as the main building of the university’s Science Department. The museum’s collection includes over three million documents and specimens, which the university has collected, archived, and researched since it first opened as the Sapporo Agricultural School over 140 years ago.

The museum has a number of must-see exhibits, including a huge skeleton of a Holstein bull and a life-sized mock-up of a woolly mammoth. In addition to specimens, the museum exhibits many intriguing instruments as well, such as a seismograph, which will even respond to light footsteps, an interactive exhibit room where you can touch specimens, and the museum laboratory where you can see research taking place.

The museum reopened to the public in July 2016 after a major renovation and now features new exhibits highlighting the latest research taking place at Hokkaido University’s 12 academic departments. It has even installed a café that serves light meals and...

An avenue of Ginkgo tree lines becomes a major tourist attraction during fall foliage when leaves turning all yellow. Fallen leaves and seeds scattered ground like a large yellow carpet. We were there on November 6, 2023 when it was getting peak. Hundred of tourists flocks to the street, excited to get photos. Some sitting on the side walk, some standing on the street to pose for best shots, oblivion of oncoming cars. I can only hope that staff and students at this Hokkaido University get used to this interruption once a year. Anyhow its charm is really irresistible. Definitely worth a visit...

Hokkaido university is said to be one of the most beautiful universities in Japan, and their Ginkgo Avenue is a must-visit in Autumn for visitors to Sapporo. The university is open to public and can be entered and exited from several different entrances. The nearest entrance to the Ginkgo Avenue is at Kita 12 but a quiet walk through all parts of the university university is strongly recommended as the buildings and ponds around the campus are very beautiful as well. However, please be mindful and quiet when visiting the university as it is still a school...