Things to do in Sapporo：Hokkaido pioneer village

Hokkaido Pioneer Village: An open-air museum where you can experience history

“Hokkaido Pioneer Village” is an open-air museum where you can learn and experience the history of Hokkaido’s pioneering era, located in Nopporo Forest Park near Sapporo. This village, which relocated and restored buildings built in various parts of Hokkaido from the Meiji period to the early Showa period, has 52 historic buildings lined up on a vast 54.2 hectare site. It is divided into four areas: urban area, fishing village, rural village, and mountain village, and each area recreates a different style of townscape and buildings, so you can enjoy a walk while getting a feel for life at the time.

 

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りさ(@sariyu1252)がシェアした投稿

Background of development and the lives of immigrants

The development of Hokkaido began in earnest with the establishment of the Kaitaku Envoy in 1869. The Kaitakatsu Mission, which actively adopted technology from Europe and America, promoted agriculture and mining industry, and improved transportation infrastructure, was responsible for the development and defense of Hokkaido from its base in Sapporo. Later, in 1882, the Development Commission was abolished and a three-prefecture system of Sapporo, Hakodate, and Nemuro was introduced, and finally in 1886, the Hokkaido Government was established and Policies were further accelerated.

 

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takeryo52(@takeryo52)がシェアした投稿

With the development of Hokkaido, many people from Honshu immigrated to Hokkaido in search of a new life. The background to their migration was the impact of poverty and disasters, and various hardships awaited them. However, the efforts of adapting to the cold climate and living in a new land and working hard to cultivate the land became the foundation for the development of Hokkaido today.

 

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ナッツ(@creek_handmade)がシェアした投稿

Migration of samurai groups and tonden soldiers

Early immigrants included people who lost their territories during the Meiji Restoration, such as samurai families from the former Aizu and Sendai domains. They left their hometown and moved to Hokkaido, where they united and worked hard to develop the area. The tondenhei system also played an important role. In order to protect the country against the threat of Russia and develop the country, samurai and commoners settled as soldiers and were engaged in land cultivation and agriculture under strict discipline, while also taking on defense duties.

 

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さかえだ おりまさ(@sakaeda.hkd)がシェアした投稿

Tours of historic buildings and seasonal experiential events

At Hokkaido Kaitaku no Mura, not only the exterior of the building, but also the interior exhibits and daily life tools of the time have been recreated. You can learn about the lives of people in the frontier era through each building, including a farmhouse, fisherman’s home, store, and school. There are also many hands-on events held each season, and programs that let you experience traditional play equipment and traditional games are popular. You can also experience annual events and traditional events, and get a closer look at life at that time.

 

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Asami.K(@arthur.k.0413)がシェアした投稿

Horse-drawn railway and local gourmet food

When touring the large grounds, we recommend riding the horse-drawn train in the summer or the horse-drawn sleigh in the winter. The view of the village from the passenger car is exceptional, and you can enjoy the scenery full of the travel spirit. In addition, at the Kaitaku no Mura Shokudo in the village, you can enjoy the famous “Imomochi” and the “Tondenhei Teishoku,” which comes with miso oden and pork soup, allowing you to fully enjoy gourmet food unique to Hokkaido.

 

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Link：Hokkaido official tourism website