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Hokkaido University Botanic Garden: An Urban Oasis

Discover Hokkaido's natural and cultural heritage in Sapporo's oldest botanical garden, a peaceful escape in the heart of the city.

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Escape the city bustle at the Hokkaido University Botanic Garden, a 13-hectare sanctuary blending scientific research, education, and leisure. Established in 1886, it preserves a piece of the Ishikari Plain's original forest and showcases diverse plant species, including an alpine garden and a greenhouse. The garden also features a museum highlighting Ainu culture and natural history.

A brief summary to Botanic Garden Hokkaidō University

  • Tuesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during spring or autumn to enjoy the seasonal flowers or colorful autumn foliage.
  • During the winter months, only the greenhouse is open.
  • Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the gardens and museums.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Former Hokkaido Government Office Building.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Sapporo Station, walk southwest for about 10 minutes. Head south from the station's main exit and follow the road. The garden entrance will be on your left, a short walk from the Old Hokkaido Government Building.

  • Public Transport

    Take the Tozai Subway Line to Nishi-Juitchome Station, a 5-minute walk north of the garden. Alternatively, take a local bus from Sapporo Station to 北5条西10丁目(札幌), a short walk from the garden. Subway fares range from ¥200-¥360 for adults. Local bus fare is around ¥210 for adults.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available from Sapporo Station. A short taxi ride to the Botanic Garden will take only a few minutes and cost approximately ¥1,100-¥1,300.

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Discover more about Botanic Garden Hokkaidō University

The Hokkaido University Botanic Garden, located near Sapporo's city center, offers a tranquil escape into nature and history. Established in 1886 as part of the Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University), it is the second oldest botanical garden in Japan. The garden spans 13.3 hectares and preserves a fragment of the forest that once covered the Ishikari Plain. Visitors can explore diverse botanical collections, including an alpine garden with over 200 species and a Northern Peoples Ethnobotanical Garden showcasing plants used by indigenous cultures of Northeast Asia. The garden also features a greenhouse with tropical and succulent plants. In addition to its botanical displays, the garden houses several historical buildings. The Natural History Museum, built in 1884, is the oldest museum in Hokkaido and features exhibits on Ainu culture, local biological specimens, and the stuffed body of 'Taro', a sled dog from Japan's 1958 Antarctica mission. The Miyabe Kingo Memorial Building displays artifacts related to the garden's first director. The Arboretum, also known as the Natural Woodland, recreates the forests that once covered the Ishikari Plain and contains old maple trees.

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