For new students who will be attending Hokkaido University from spring, choosing where to live is a big topic. In the midst of all this, the "First Class Map" created by the Hokkaido University Geography Research Group has been attracting attention on social media, with the theme of "Where in Hokkaido can you make it to the first class at Hokkaido University (8:45)?" So you can make it even from such a faraway place in the vast Hokkaido...

The first class at Hokkaido University starts at 8:45. The map shows that you can make it from Kutchan, Muroran, and Asahikawa, which are far from Sapporo, but the furthest away is Obihiro. Asahikawa and Muroran are about 140km from Sapporo, and a whopping 200km from Obihiro, but it's amazing that you can still make it there.

Upon this post, social media users commented on the chaos, saying things like, "This map is so extreme," "Their sense of geography is all wrong," and "It's hilarious how far-flung places are mixed in."

Of course, this is not recommended as a means of commuting to school, but is a form of "geography entertainment" that will let you enjoy learning about the vastness of Hokkaido and the complexity and fun of its transportation system. The more you look at it, the more you will realize just how big Hokkaido really is.

A true geography lover's passion! "Ichigen Map" created by Hokkaido University Geography Research Group

The members of the Hokkaido University Geography Research Society who created the "Hokkaido University First Grade Map"

This map was created by the Hokkaido University Geography Research Group, also known as "Hokkaido University Chiriken." It is a loosely-knit group of people who love geography and travel, and they post on social media about their field research trips to various regions. The "First Period Map" created by Hokkaido University Chiriken this time has also been made by volunteers for universities across the country.

Can you make it from Obihiro?! The "unexpected route" discovered by the Geographical Research Institute

Even if I go directly from Obihiro to Sapporo on an intercity bus, I won't be able to make it in time for the first class...is there a route that can get me there in time?

On this map, you can basically get to Sapporo Station by JR, but if you look closely at Obihiro, which is the closest route, it says "via Tokachi Milky Liner." The Hokkaido University Geographical Research Institute told us how to get from Obihiro to Hokkaido University's first class in time.

The route from Obihiro is to take an intercity bus from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal to Minami-Chitose Station, then change to an express train to Sapporo! There's only 15 minutes until the first class from Sapporo, so it'll be a mad dash to get there, but it looks like we'll make it just in time. "There are many cases where people can make it to Sapporo by transferring to a train from the first bus to New Chitose Airport or Fukagawa Station, as in this case, and it was very difficult to research all of these cases," said the Hokkaido University Geographical Research Institute.

It's a bit (much) too far away to use as a reference for commuting. But it's also fun to look at a map like this and think about the scale of Hokkaido and its transportation methods. The Hokkaido University Geography Research Institute's "First Period Map" may be a unique entrance to the world of geography and transportation.