Hokkaido University Botanical Garden

Overview

Established in 1886 by Hokkaido University's second president, Kingo Miyabe, this 13.3-hectare botanical garden houses over 4,000 plant species native to Hokkaido and beyond. It includes a natural forest area, a rock garden, and the Ainu Museum displaying artifacts of Hokkaido's indigenous people.

Highlights

• Ainu Museum (Batchelor Museum): One of Sapporo's oldest buildings (1882) with Ainu ethnographic collections.
• Primeval Forest Section: A remnant of the original Hokkaido forest that once covered the entire area.
• Alpine Rock Garden: A specialized collection of alpine plants from Hokkaido's mountains.

History

Kingo Miyabe, a protégé of Asa Gray at Harvard, established the garden as a research facility for Hokkaido's unique flora. The Batchelor Museum is named after John Batchelor, an Anglican missionary who lived among the Ainu and donated his collection.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: The garden operates on a significantly reduced schedule (greenhouse only) from November to April — summer visits are best.
• Tip 2: Allow extra time for the Ainu Museum, which is included in the garden admission.
• Duration: 45–75 minutes.