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Sapporo
KNOWLEDGE OF Sapporo
Sapporo is a very young city. Nevertheless, it spreads over 1121 square kilometers, and is Japan’s third largest city in area and fifth in population. It is the center of politics, commerce and culture for the major northern island of Hokkaido, and it is the hub of communications for all domestic and international travelers to the region.
Hokkaido, which was once called Ezo, was originally inhabited by the Ainu, an indigenous people who have left their mark on the island in many of the place names. There are indications that Japanese settlers arrived on Hokkaido in the 7th century to trade with the Ainu, but it was not until 1821 that the Tokugawa Shogunate established a trading post on the Ishikari River, near present-day Sapporo.
In 1855, the Shogunate officially annexed the whole of Hokkaido and established governmental offices at Hakodate, on the south coast of the island. Two years later, two families moved into the Sapporo area and became the first official residents of the region. Soon after, the government changed the name of the island from Ezo to Hokkaido and serious colonization began.
The government established the Kaitakushi, or Development Commission, to plan and develop the island’s resources. They decided to construct a capital for Hokkaido on the Ishikari Plain. Thus began the transformation of Sapporo from a small farming village into the major administrative center of Hokkaido. The Kaitakushi induced immigration by subsidizing transportation costs and providing food for settlers who were prepared to assist with defense preparations and development of the region.
The city planners created a green belt to divide the city into north and south. Today, Odori Park plays a major role in the seasonal events of the city hosting such key events as the Sapporo Snow Festival, Cherry Blossom Viewing and the Sapporo Summer Festival. Construction took place at a furious pace and the Kaitakushi office was completed in 1871, with other government buildings (Old Hokkaido Government Building (Akarengo)) going up around it in the northern part of the city. Meanwhile, south of Odori Park, the commercial and entertainment districts started to take shape.
Hokkaido, which was once called Ezo, was originally inhabited by the Ainu, an indigenous people who have left their mark on the island in many of the place names. There are indications that Japanese settlers arrived on Hokkaido in the 7th century to trade with the Ainu, but it was not until 1821 that the Tokugawa Shogunate established a trading post on the Ishikari River, near present-day Sapporo.
In 1855, the Shogunate officially annexed the whole of Hokkaido and established governmental offices at Hakodate, on the south coast of the island. Two years later, two families moved into the Sapporo area and became the first official residents of the region. Soon after, the government changed the name of the island from Ezo to Hokkaido and serious colonization began.
The government established the Kaitakushi, or Development Commission, to plan and develop the island’s resources. They decided to construct a capital for Hokkaido on the Ishikari Plain. Thus began the transformation of Sapporo from a small farming village into the major administrative center of Hokkaido. The Kaitakushi induced immigration by subsidizing transportation costs and providing food for settlers who were prepared to assist with defense preparations and development of the region.
The city planners created a green belt to divide the city into north and south. Today, Odori Park plays a major role in the seasonal events of the city hosting such key events as the Sapporo Snow Festival, Cherry Blossom Viewing and the Sapporo Summer Festival. Construction took place at a furious pace and the Kaitakushi office was completed in 1871, with other government buildings (Old Hokkaido Government Building (Akarengo)) going up around it in the northern part of the city. Meanwhile, south of Odori Park, the commercial and entertainment districts started to take shape.
Chapi