The "Red Brick Government Building (former Hokkaido Government Office)" has become one of Hokkaido's symbols.
Built during the Meiji era, this brick building is a symbol of Hokkaido and is widely known by its affectionate nickname, "Akarenga" (Red Brick).

This building was actually used for about 80 years before the current building was constructed.

This time, we'll introduce the charm and ways to enjoy the Red Brick Government Building (former Hokkaido Government Office building) in a way that's easy to understand even for those new to Hokkaido!

Table of Contents:
1. Enjoy the seasonal scenery in the red brick front garden.
2. Let's learn about the history of the Red Brick Government Building
3. Things you should know! Fun facts about the Red Brick Government Building
4. Free admission. Let's go inside the building.
5. Access to the Red Brick Government Building (Former Hokkaido Government Office Building)
Final thoughts

The front garden of the red brick building is planted with approximately 1,000 trees of about 1000 different species.
The main trees include Sakhalin spruce, ginkgo, Satozakura cherry, Japanese maple, Japanese rose, Japanese elm, and poplar.

The Japanese elm, known as elm in English and chikisani in the Ainu language, is one of Hokkaido's representative trees. During the pioneering era, it is said that Japanese elms, which grow in fertile land, were used as landmarks for land reclamation (clearing mountains and fields to create farmland).

The grounds are also planted with many beautiful flowers, so I recommend taking a stroll around the property!
There are also beautiful ponds and plazas, so you can enjoy different scenery depending on the season.

【spring】

【summer】

【autumn】

【winter】

The main gate (east gate) is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
The Red Brick Government Building is also lit up at night until 9 PM.

The red brick government building was constructed in 1888 (Meiji 21).
The design was handled by an engineer from the Hokkaido Prefectural Government, and it is a brick building in the American Neo-Baroque style, with most of the bricks, wood, and hard stone being sourced from Hokkaido.

The tower reached a height of 33 meters, equivalent to a 10-story building today. At the time, there were no other tall buildings in the surrounding area, so it was apparently one of the tallest structures in Japan.

Such a fine example of Western-style architecture from the Meiji era is rare in Japan, and in March 1969, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property.

Currently, it has become a popular tourist spot, attracting over 610,000 visitors annually. (FY2015)

Next, we'll share some interesting facts about the Red Brick Government Building.

3-1 A red star shining on the roof

Please take a look at the "roof" in the image ☆
This red star is called a "five-pointed star (or five-pointed star)," and it was used as a symbol of the Hokkaido Development Commission on its buildings and manufactured goods.

The design is based on the North Star shining in the northern night sky, and can also be seen on buildings constructed around the same time, such as the Sapporo Clock Tower (formerly the Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall).

3-2 Approximately 2.5 million red bricks were used!

The bricks used in the Red Brick Government Building were manufactured in the former Shiroishi Village and Toyohira Village (now part of Sapporo City), and it is said that there are approximately 2.5 million of them.

The bricks of a different color at the bottom of the building are called "overfired bricks," and apparently some of them even have the factory's mark on them.

3-3 Triple Arch

In the main hall on the first floor, you can see a beautiful triple arch.

The decorative treatment of staircases, such as the ornaments in the center of the arch, the sculptures on top of the iron columns, and the circular patterns (rosettes) carved into the sides of the stairs, is apparently a characteristic of Western architecture.

3-4 Double-glazed windows

You can see various measures taken to protect against the cold throughout the building.

One example is the window.

At first glance, it looks like a single-pane window, but it actually has a double-pane structure. Normally, the glass doors are folded into three sections and stored within wooden box-shaped decorative frames on both sides of the window.

3-5 A beautiful woman from behind

The rear view of the red brick government building, with its two chimneys soaring gracefully, showcases its simple yet elegant design.

In contrast to the bustling design of the front, it has fewer ornaments and exudes a dignified, substantial style that is typical of brick construction.

Now let's go inside the building! Admission is free. You are free to take photos of everything except the paintings. I will now introduce you to the facilities inside the building.

4-1 Hokkaido Prefectural Archives

 Image provided by: Red Brick Government Building (Former Hokkaido Government Office)

The Hokkaido Prefectural Archives carefully preserves documents and records related to the history of Hokkaido. These materials are used for historical research and education.

No reservation is required to enter the museum; you can browse freely.

In particular, the full-size replica of the map created by Matsuura Takeshiro, who is said to be the person who named Hokkaido, by pasting together 26 individual maps, is a must-see!

Let's go up to the second floor.

4-2 Hokkaido Museum Red Brick Satellite

This is a satellite facility of the Hokkaido Museum, located in Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo City.
You can learn about Hokkaido's history, nature, and culture while enjoying the experience.

During the Meiji period, herring accounted for 60-70% of the total fish catch in Hokkaido.
We also have on display a large iron cauldron used to make "shimekasu" (fertilizer), a product used in herring processing.

This ammonite fossil was discovered in Yubari City, dating back 80 to 90 million years.
You can touch it.

4-3 Sakhalin-related Museum

The Sakhalin-Related Materials Museum displays materials related to Southern Sakhalin, which had strong ties to Hokkaido, and introduces the current state of exchange with Sakhalin.

4-4 Red Brick Northern Territories Museum

The Akarenga Northern Territories Museum displays panels and materials explaining the history of the Northern Territories.

4-5 International Exchange and Hokkaido Products Exhibition Room

The International Exchange and Hokkaido Products Exhibition Room displays commemorative items for the sister city agreement, as well as various specialty products from Hokkaido.

In the foreground of the photo is a confectionary made from Hokkaido beet sugar, called the "Hokkaido Government Red Brick Building."
It makes you want to take a picture without even thinking about it.

4-6 Tourist Information Corner

You can view Hokkaido tourism posters and various tourism information materials.
Computers for searching tourist information are also available.

It's also a good idea to ask one of the resident volunteer guides to give you a tour of the building.

[Red Brick Government Building Guide & Tourist Volunteer Guide]
• Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from November to February)
• Contents: Guided tour of the Hokkaido Government Red Brick Building, sightseeing information for Sapporo city.

[Weekend Guide to the Red Brick Government Building]
• Hours: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM / 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• Content: Guided tour of the Hokkaido Government Red Brick Building

To book a guide, please go directly to the "Tourist Information Corner" on the second floor of the Red Brick Government Building.
(They do not accept advance reservations by phone.)

4-7 Memorial Room (Former Hokkaido Governor's Office)

The "Memorial Room" is a particularly popular exhibit among tourists.
Successive chief officials and governors have worked in this room.

I am captivated by the intricate carvings and designs of the arabesque patterns.
You can see the double-glazed windows that we introduced in section 3-4.

4-8 Shop

When you go down to the first floor, there is a shop near the entrance.

They also sell goods featuring the Red Brick Government Building as a motif, as well as Hokkaido wine exclusive to the Red Brick area. You can enjoy choosing souvenirs!

Access
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Sapporo Station, Sapporo Subway Station, and Odori Subway Station.

<Red Brick Government Building (Former Hokkaido Government Office Building)>
HP)http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/sm/sum/sk/akarenga.htm
Address: Kita 3-jo Nishi 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
TEL: 011-204-5019 (Weekdays)
011-204-5000 (Weekends and public holidays)
Opening hours: 8:45 AM to 6:00 PM (Main gate opening/closing hours: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
Entrance fee: free　　　
Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)

Final thoughts

We've shared the charm and ways to enjoy the Red Brick Government Building.
What did you think.

We also hold events, so please come if the timing is right.

*Event informationCLICK HERE.

It's easily accessible, so please stop by and admire its retro and beautiful exterior.
Once you enter the museum, you'll feel a closer connection to the history of Hokkaido!

Article written by: Mami Nakamura

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