Hello. This is the Domingo editorial team.
A quick question for everyone living in Hokkaido: do you know about "Hokkaido Citizens' Day" (Dōmin no Hi)?

Maybe you've heard the name but don't know what it's all about...
Or perhaps you think it doesn't concern you because you live in a rural area...

If that's you, listen up!
July 17th, Hokkaido Citizens' Day, is a day full of great deals every year.

In this edition of TOPICS, we'll introduce how Hokkaido Citizens' Day came to be and share four exciting events you can enjoy on the day.

What kind of day is Hokkaido Citizens' Day?

Commemorative ceremony for the establishment of 'Hokkaido Day for Everyone' (Photo courtesy of the Counselor, Office of Policy Planning, Department of General Policy, Hokkaido Government)

Actually, "Dōmin no Hi" is a nickname. The official name is "Hokkaido Minna no Hi" (Hokkaido Day for Everyone).
It's a commemorative day established in 2017 by the "Hokkaido Day for Everyone Ordinance," and it's set for July 17th every year.

The reason for this date comes from the explorer Matsuura Takeshiro, who is known as the "godfather of Hokkaido."
On July 17, 1869, Matsuura Takeshiro proposed the new name "Hokkai-dō" to the Meiji government to replace the former name, Ezochi.

What happens on Hokkaido Citizens' Day?

The Hokkaido Prefectural Police Band (Photo courtesy of the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Band)

"Hokkaido Citizens' Day" was created as an opportunity for us living today to reflect on the value of Hokkaido's history and culture, and to think about the future of Hokkaido.

For this reason, on this day, admission and viewing fees at over 60 facilities, including museums and art galleries in Hokkaido, are either free or discounted.
What a great deal!

Additionally, various commemorative events related to Hokkaido are held around "Hokkaido Citizens' Day."
Here are four recommended events held on the day itself!

Event 1: ['Hokkaido Day for Everyone' Commemorative Concert by the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Band]

To commemorate "Hokkaido Day for Everyone," a concert will be held in the front garden of the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Akarenga) from 11:00 AM on July 17th.

Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 *Cancelled in case of rain
Time: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Venue: Front Garden of the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Akarenga), Sapporo
Fee: Free, no prior registration required
Performance: Hokkaido Prefectural Police Band

Event 2: ['Hokkaido Day for Everyone' Commemorative Lunchtime Seminar]

A lunchtime seminar titled "'The Godfather of Hokkaido' - Matsuura Takeshiro, a Giant of Travel Who Lived Through the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration" will be held to commemorate "Hokkaido Day for Everyone."

Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Time: 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Venue: Conference Room No. 2, Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Akarenga), Sapporo
Fee: Free, no prior registration required
Lecturer: Mr. Yasuyuki Miura, Chief Curator, Hokkaido Museum

Event 3: [Hakobi x Mokuiku: Send a Forest Breeze on a Postcard with Wooden Stickers♪]

At the Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido, the event "Dōmin no Hi Hakobi Atelier 'Hakobi x Mokuiku: Send a Forest Breeze on a Postcard with Wooden Stickers♪'" will be held.
Create your own original postcard by collaging stickers made from wood from the Southern Hokkaido (Dōnan) region.

Dates: Saturday, July 13 - Sunday, August 18, 2019
Venue: Hall, Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido, Hakodate
Fee: Workshop is free

Event 4: [Dōmin no Hi "Talking about Hakyo"]

In connection with "Dōmin no Hi," there will be a talk about the works of the late Edo period painter Kakizaki Hakyo (1764-1826), which are featured in the ongoing Kindai Collection exhibition "The Man of Elegance: Kakizaki Hakyo."

Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Venue: Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Sapporo
Lecturer: Mr. Kenichiro Inoue (Art Historian)

 

In addition to these, various events and exhibitions will be held throughout Hokkaido around "Hokkaido Citizens' Day."

Popular facilities like the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples in Abashiri and the Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art in Obihiro will also offer free admission to their permanent exhibitions on July 17th.

A list is available on the official "Hokkaido Citizens' Day" website, so be sure to check it out when you plan your outing!
http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ss/ssa/717.htm

Summary

(Photo by the Domingo Editorial Team)

In this edition of TOPICS,
we introduced the July 17th "Hokkaido Day for Everyone."
Were there any events that caught your interest?

This year on "Hokkaido Citizens' Day," why not take advantage of the deals to visit museums and art galleries and reflect on the history and culture of Hokkaido?

Let's enjoy "Hokkaido Citizens' Day" on July 17th!

 

In cooperation with: Counselor, Office of Policy Planning, Department of General Policy, Hokkaido Government
Created by: The Domingo Editorial Team
*Domingo is registered as a Hokkaido Citizens' Day related project.