The year 2023 in Hokkaido was a year of great milestones, including the closure of department stores and stations that had been loved by locals for many years. We look back on the department stores that closed in 2023, beloved shops in the area, and stations that were closed, much to the regret of many.

Department stores in Hokkaido that closed in 2023

January 31, 2023: Fujimaru Department Store (Obihiro City)

[Fujimaru Closing Notice] Fujimaru will close its doors after 122 years of business on January 31, 2023. Since our founding in Obihiro, Tokachi in 1900, we have been a local department store and we would like to express our deepest gratitude for the patronage you have shown us over the generations. Thank you very much for the past 122 years. pic.twitter.com/BnPnTsLJpN

— Fujimaru Department Store (@fujimaruobihiro) January 31, 2023

Founded in Obihiro in 1900, the Fujimaru Kimono Store was renamed the Fujimaru Department Store in 1930. It was the first store in Tokachi to have an elevator installed, and at its peak it recorded sales of 14.5 billion yen. However, it was forced to change with the times, and in January 2023 it closed its doors after 122 years of history.

A new company has now been established to take over the "Fujimaru" name and rebuild the restaurant, with the aim of renovating the existing building and opening as early as autumn 2025.

July 31, 2023: Nagasakiya Obihiro Store (Obihiro City)

Closing sale begins at Nagasakiya Obihiro store, with "10 times" the crowds #HokkaidoNEWSWEB https://t.co/nSvBYaMl2w - https://t.co/nSvBYaMl2w

— NHK Hokkaido (@nhk_hokkaido) June 23, 2023

Following Fujimaru, Nagasakiya Obihiro is the latest large store to close in Obihiro. It opened in front of JR Obihiro Station in 1990 and has been a part of the local community for a long time. As it is a store in front of the station, it was used not only by Obihiro residents but also by people from neighboring towns, but with the exception of a few tenants, it will close in July 2023. Discussions are underway to demolish the building, and some of the remaining tenants have been asked to leave.

August 31, 2023: Sapporo Esta (Chuo-ku, Sapporo)

It was a commercial facility that could be said to be the face of Sapporo Station, but due to the redevelopment of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, it will close in August 2023. Sapporo Esta, which opened in 1978, was bustling with many Sapporo residents and tourists, including Bic Camera, Uniqlo, and Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku. After it closed, the tenant stores moved to Tokyu Department Store and Moyuku Sapporo. The site where Sapporo Esta was located is scheduled to be redeveloped in the future, and a skyscraper that will be the tallest in Hokkaido, standing 245 meters tall, is planned to be built.

August 31, 2023: TeO Department Store Main Store (Hakodate City)

Thank you for your patronage over the past 61 years. TeO Department Store today, August 31, 2023 (Thursday) We will be closing at 7pm. Thank you to all the customers who have visited us so far 😄 In your heart forever. This is TeO Department Store from Heart TO Heart ✨ pic.twitter.com/wjzDAONbzE

— TeO [Thank you for your patronage over the past 61 years] (@todept) August 31, 2023

The TeO Department Store, which opened in the Goryokaku area of Hakodate in 1962, has long been a popular place of relaxation for locals for several generations, but will close in August 2023. Hakodate's department stores, including Bouji Moriya in 2019 and Seibu Department Store in 2003, show the passage of time.

Hokkaido "stations" to be closed in 2023

March 17, 2023: JR Hamadaura Station

Hamadaura Station is an unmanned station on JR Hokkaido's Hidaka Main Line. Due to a decrease in users, it will be closed with the timetable change on March 18, 2023. On March 17, when the station was closed, a farewell ceremony was held by local residents.

April 1, 2023: Rumoi Main Line (between Ishikari-Numata and Rumoi)

Due to a decline in users, the Rumoi Main Line is scheduled to be gradually closed down. The Mashike-Rumoi section was closed in 2016, and the 35.7km section from Rumoi to Ishikari-Numata will cease operation in 2023. Many railway fans from all over the country came to watch the last run on March 31st. The remaining 14.4km section from Ishikari-Numata to Fukagawa is also scheduled to be closed in 2026.