The Hokkaidai Festival, now in its 66th year, is an annual event that brings color to Sapporo's early summer, and is held on the Hokkaido University Sapporo Campus from June 7 (Fri.) to 9 (Sun.). Held on the Sapporo Campus of Hokkaido University from June 7 (Fri.) to 9 (Sun.), the festival features more than 300 booths and a variety of events, attracting not only Hokkaidai students but also many people from all over Sapporo. This article details the attractions and highlights of this year's Hokudai Festival.

International students serve delicious food from around the world

The Hokkaido University Festival consists of 10 festivals (Yuryo Festival, Humanities Festival, Science Festival, Engineering Festival, Medical Exhibition, Dentistry Festival, Pharmacy Festival, Veterinary Medicine Festival, Agriculture Festival, and International Food Festival) organized by each faculty and department. The festival also includes the International Food Festival (IFF), where international students can enjoy dishes prepared by students from different countries.

In 2023, the Hokudai Festival attracted approximately 62,000 visitors. This year's theme is "GRANDE. This theme, which means "big" or "great" in Latin, expresses the vastness of the land of Hokkaido and the broadness of the spirit of the people of Hokkaido.

The 2023 event

Stage with many live performances, etc.

During the festival, the main street of the Hokkaido University campus will be lined with booths, and facilities throughout the campus will be open to the public. Many events will be held, including a haunted house on the first floor of the first gymnasium, live performances by idol units "Gakuseki no Yakuza" and "WONDER*WHITE" on the side of the gymnasium, and a stamp rally throughout the venue.

YOSAKOI performance will be held on Friday, June 7 at 14:00

In addition, the "Clark Festival," held at Clark Hall, is back for the first time in several years. There will be a music stage, as well as plans and presentations by the Humanities and Tea Ceremony Circles. In addition, there will be a special performance by the Yosakoi Circle in conjunction with the YOSAKOI Soran Festival held at the same time on the north side in front of the main entrance of the Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education. Their powerful performance will enliven the festival.

On June 9 (Sun.) from 1:00 p.m., Tadatoshi Fujimura, director of the well-known "Wednesday Night Live" program, and Yu Koizumi, associate professor at the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, will hold a discussion. The theme is "The Influence of Media on People. Numbered tickets will be distributed in front of Clark Hall from 10:00 on the day.

To attend the Hokudai Festival, it is recommended to use public transportation, as private cars and cabs are not allowed on campus. Bringing in alcoholic beverages and smoking are also prohibited. Please follow the rules and enjoy the festival safely.

For more detailed information about the Hokkaidai Festival and a list of events, please visit the official website. The Hokkaido University Festival is a major event that attracts many people as a place for exchange between Hokkaido University and the local community. Please take note of the efforts of the students who are learning every day to spread their wings from the land of the north.

Image courtesy of the Hokkaido University Festival Office

The 66th Hokudai Festival

Dates: Friday, June 7 - Sunday, June 9, 2024
Click here for details and map information of "The 66th Hokudai Festival

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