Hey everyone! Welcome to Sapporo!
As someone who’s lived here for a long time, I want to introduce you to one of the city’s symbols: the “Akarenga Chosha,” or the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building. I hope this helps all you travelers from abroad get a real feel for its charm.
Good News! Sapporo’s Red Brick Office is Reopening Soon!
First off, just wanted to let you know that the Akarenga Chosha, which has been under major renovation for a while, is finally set to reopen on July 25, 2025! This means that besides its beautiful exterior, we’ll be able to see the newly renovated interior too. Honestly, I’m quite looking forward to seeing how it’s changed.
Its official name is the “Former Hokkaido Government Office Building,” but locals affectionately call it “Akarenga” (Red Brick) or “Akarenga Chosha.” Built in 1888, it’s a historic brick building in the American Neo-Baroque style and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
So, What’s the Real Deal with Akarenga Chosha? An Honest Local Take
To be perfectly honest, it might not be the kind of place where you’d plan to spend half a day just on its own.
【Here’s an honest take from a local①】 It’s probably better to think of it as a spot to drop by while you’re exploring the area connecting Sapporo Station, Susukino, and Odori Park. Nearby, you’ve got the Sapporo Clock Tower and Odori Park, so I think it’s best enjoyed as part of a city walk, checking out these spots together.
But hey, that definitely doesn’t mean it lacks charm. Actually, its easy accessibility is part of its appeal, and above all, the building itself is truly beautiful. Now that it’s reopening and you can see inside, it might be even more worth stopping by!
Akarenga’s Charm: A Different Face for Every Season
The Akarenga Chosha offers something special in every season.
- Spring/Summer: The fresh greenery looks fantastic against the red bricks, giving it a really refreshing vibe. You might see ducks swimming in the pond out front, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The flower beds in front of the building are also colorful and quite impressive.
- Autumn: Now, this is the highlight!
【Let me give you some local insight②】 The rows of ginkgo trees in front of the building turn a brilliant golden yellow, and the contrast with the red bricks is breathtakingly beautiful. I’d say it’s almost worth coming in autumn just for this view – it’s a personal favorite of mine. If you love photography, this is a must-visit spot.
- Winter: Autumn gets a lot of attention, but winter here is actually incredibly romantic. When the snow falls gently, covering the red brick roof and the garden trees in white, it looks just like a postcard. At night, the building is lit up, and sometimes the surrounding trees are decorated with blue illuminations, creating a magical atmosphere. While the Snow Festival often draws attention to the Odori Park area in winter, I really hope you’ll take a short walk over to see this winter scenery too.
More to Look Forward To After Reopening! Fun Facts about Akarenga
With the reopening, I’m expecting the exhibits on Hokkaido’s history inside will be even better. I’m also curious to see what they’ve done with the rooms that used to recreate the atmosphere of the Kaitakushi (Hokkaido Development Commission) era.
Even just looking at the exterior, there’s plenty to see. Did you know they apparently used about 2.5 million bricks? Or that the red star on the front, the “Goryosei,” is the symbol of Hokkaido’s development? Paying attention to these little details can be interesting. Maybe they’ll even start guided tours of the building after the reopening.
How to Get There & Basic Info
- Location: Kita 3-jo Nishi 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Access:
- About an 8-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station.
- About a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Station on the Namboku and Toho Subway Lines.
- About a 10-minute walk from Odori Station on the Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Subway Lines.
- You can also use the Sapporo Ekimae Underground Walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho) to get close without getting wet on rainy or snowy days.
- Crowds:
- It might be a bit crowded right after the reopening.
- The garden isn’t usually too packed, but during the autumn foliage season, especially on weekends, it can get busy with people taking photos.
- During the winter illumination period, it can also get crowded at night.
Wrap-up: Let’s Go See the Renewed Akarenga Chosha!
The Akarenga Chosha is a beautiful building where you can feel Sapporo’s history. It’s finally reopening, allowing you to see inside again, making it an even more attractive spot! The autumn leaves and the winter snowscape & illuminations, even just from the outside, are definitely worth seeing.
It’s just a short walk from Sapporo Station, so feel free to drop by during your city exploration. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful experience, both inside and outside the renewed building!
Hope this article helps with your Sapporo trip planning! Enjoy!
