Historical Village of Hokkaido

Overview

The Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku no Mura) is an open-air museum preserving over 60 buildings from Hokkaido's Meiji and Taisho pioneer settlement era. The village is organized into four areas — Town, Farm, Mountain, and Fishing — each recreating the living and working conditions of different settler communities. In winter, visitors can ride horse-drawn sleighs through the snow-covered grounds.

Highlights

• Town Area: Reconstructed Meiji-era storefronts, a barbershop, newspaper office, and a functioning blacksmith.
• Horse-Drawn Sleigh/Trolley: Sleigh rides in winter and trolley rides in summer through the village grounds.
• Period Interiors: Furnished rooms with original tools, furniture, and household items from the 1880s–1920s.

History

Opened in 1983, the village relocated and restored buildings from across Hokkaido that were threatened with demolition. Many structures were originally built by farmers, merchants, and fishermen who migrated from Honshu during the Meiji government's colonization campaign. The village sits within Nopporo Forest Park.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: The village is extensive — allocate at least 2 hours and wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Tip 2: Combine with the adjacent Hokkaido Museum for a full cultural day trip.
• Duration: 90–150 minutes.