Hokkaido Museum

Overview

The Hokkaido Museum (Hokkaido Hakubutsukan) provides a comprehensive overview of Hokkaido's natural history, indigenous Ainu culture, and the island's modern development. Five permanent exhibition zones trace the story from geological formation through Ice Age megafauna to contemporary Hokkaido life. The museum sits in Nopporo Forest Park alongside the Historical Village.

Highlights

• Ainu Culture Gallery: Artifacts, textiles, and multimedia displays on the Ainu people's way of life.
• Mammoth Skeleton: A full-scale Naumann's Elephant skeleton discovered in Hokkaido.
• Pioneer Settlement Exhibits: Tools, photographs, and reconstructed rooms from the colonization era.

History

Originally opened as the Hokkaido Centennial Memorial Museum in 1971, it was completely renovated and reopened as the Hokkaido Museum in 2015 with modernized exhibitions. The building is the work of architect Satoru Sato and was designated a Hokkaido Heritage site.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Start on the second floor with the chronological exhibits and work downward.
• Tip 2: Closed on Mondays — plan accordingly if combining with the Historical Village next door.
• Duration: 60–90 minutes.