Have you heard of the Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku no Mura) in Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo? As its name suggests, it's an open-air museum where you can experience the lives of people in old Japan, focusing on the pioneer era. It's a must-see for tourists, but even Sapporo residents who know of it but have never visited are sure to find it a fresh and enjoyable experience! Let's take a brief tour of this fascinating village.

The Historical Village of Hokkaido spans an incredible 54.2 hectares—that's as large as ten Sapporo Domes! This vast expanse is divided into four areas: the Town, the Fishing Village, the Farm Village, and the Mountain Village, each with exhibits that match its theme.
In total, there are over 50 buildings, all of which are relocated, restored, or recreated structures from various parts of Hokkaido, originally built between the Meiji and early Showa periods. This is why you can get such a tangible sense of how people lived back then.
With so many buildings, the Town area is particularly fun to explore. For example, you can peek inside a police box and see a police officer mannequin sitting at his post...
...or visit a photo studio and find a camera just like one you'd see in an old movie.
You can also spot a barber's pole, which hasn't changed much over the years, and a nostalgic cylindrical mailbox.
The Fishing Village is also full of fascinating sights, such as the interior of a fisherman's house and old fishing boats.
After exploring the Farm Village with its Tondenhei (farmer-soldier) barracks and pioneer huts, and strolling through the scenic Mountain Village, you'll probably be feeling hungry and ready for a break. Head back towards the entrance plaza to the Kaitaku no Mura Cafeteria for a meal. The menu features dishes that perfectly suit the village's atmosphere, offering a unique dining experience. For example, take a look at this.
This is the "Yanshu Set Meal" (¥830, tax included), which includes red salmon on kelp rice and pork miso soup. "Yanshu" were the fishermen who worked in the herring industry. It's a profound experience to imagine them eating meals like this to fuel their hard work.
You also can't miss the village's specialty, "Imo-mochi" (potato rice cakes) (¥160, tax included). Once you've recharged with a delicious meal, why not try some activities? In the winter, you can enjoy the "Winter Life Experience," where you can try old-fashioned winter pastimes like cargo sledding and bamboo skiing.

Photo courtesy of the Historical Village of Hokkaido

Photo courtesy of the Historical Village of Hokkaido

For an extra special experience, you can also take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh (separate fee required).

Photo courtesy of the Historical Village of Hokkaido

There are so many things to do, you'll have trouble choosing—from making traditional toys in the workshop building and more! It's a guaranteed full day of fun for the whole family, experiencing life in the old days.

There are also plenty of charming spots for photos, so be sure to find your own unique way to enjoy the village.

※開拓の村の市街地群と漁村郡の様子をもっと詳しく知りたい方はぜひご覧ください！


＜Historical Village of Hokkaido＞
Address: Konopporo 50-1, Atsubetsu-cho, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo
Phone: 011-898-2692
Official Website: https://www.kaitaku.or.jp/