TONKAN SAPPORO, a new community space created by students in the Odori area of Sapporo, was opened on November 19, 2025. Expectations are high for this space to serve as a base for creating connections between the local community and businesses, between students and businesses, and between the local community. We spoke with Omura Rino, the current representative of TONKAN SAPPORO, and Watanabe Keita, the next representative, about the space.

We spoke with TONKAN SAPPORO representative Rino Omura (left) and the next representative, Keita Watanabe (right).

TONKAN SAPPORO is a community space run mainly by students interested in civil engineering, architecture, and urban development, mainly in Sapporo. Equipped with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, spacious work desks, and free drinks, it is free for students to use for assignments and creative projects, and for the general public to use it for PC work or a break.

Although the theme is "architecture, design, and urban development," users do not necessarily have to belong to those fields; it is a new "town hub" that anyone can drop in to.

The students who helped create the space gathered at the opening party

A major feature of the project is that students are at the center of creating the space, from property selection to design. The project began in December 2024. Triggered by the voices of architecture students who wanted to experience creating a space themselves, the project began by searching for potential properties. After comparing multiple options, the current location was chosen, prioritizing a location that was easy for students to get to.

Scenes from the opening party

For the interior design, students entered a competition to submit ideas, and the current design was selected from six proposals after being judged by three architecture professors from the Sapporo area. During the main construction period from August to October, up to 40 people participated in the site, working almost every day during the summer holidays, and from the evenings until night when classes were in session. Currently, more than 20 people are still involved in the operation.

While the students faced many unexpected challenges on-site, construction companies with extensive expertise supported the students' efforts, accompanying them in many ways, such as providing construction cooperation, design advice, and introducing contractors. They also received advice from a first-class architect who is an advisor and supports the entire TONKAN project, and while the project is student-led, the interaction with on-site experts and local technologies creates real learning opportunities.

TONKAN SAPPORO is also characterized by its affordable pricing, which is convenient for students. It is free for architecture and civil engineering students, 300 yen a day for other students and junior and senior high school students, and 600 yen for the general public. With Wi-Fi, power outlets, and free drinks available, it is perfect for working for long periods of time. Business hours are from evening to night on weekdays, and mainly in the afternoons on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. While it is open as a workspace that anyone can use, it is also intended to be used not only for work, but also as a place to consult with colleagues, interact, and as a community base.

The location is right next to the Sapporo Clock Tower. It is on the first basement floor of the Sapporo Clock Tower Building.

After the opening, various events and workshops are planned, such as portfolio consultation sessions for architecture students, where senior students will serve as instructors. TONKAN SAPPORO aims to create a cycle of learning and practice as a place where students, companies, and the local community can meet.

Students from a variety of backgrounds, including Sapporo City University, Seisa Dohto University, and Hokkaido Polytechnic College, are participating in the project. Students who are good at design and students who are good at practical work naturally complement each other's roles, creating a space where learning from different schools intersects. Omura Rino says, "I want to make this a place where we can create networks that transcend the boundaries of universities."

This is Sapporo's new "urban hub" where students' challenges live on. Please come and visit us.