Sapporo’s Pioneering Spirit Trail

Tour Highlights

• Search for the “Polaris” (Five-Pointed Star), the iconic symbol of Hokkaido’s pioneers, hidden throughout the city. Discover this historic mark as you trace the footsteps of the Kaitakushi (Development Commission) on the very streets they built.
• Visit must-see historical landmarks, including the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building and the Clock Tower. Marvel at the iconic architecture that defines the city’s skyline and tells the story of its rapid modernization. (Exterior viewing only)
• Take a relaxing break with authentic Japanese tea while savoring the city’s unique atmosphere. Rest your feet and refresh your spirit with a peaceful tea session before continuing your journey through history.
• Experience a moment of mindfulness at Hokkaido Jingu Tongu, a shrine that has watched over the city’s growth. Join your guide in traditional prayer and soak in the spiritual atmosphere of this historic sanctuary.
• Conclude your journey at the site of Japan’s first government-led brewery, the birthplace of Sapporo Beer. After exploring the dreams of the early pioneers, we recommend a celebratory toast with a fresh local brew at the finish line. (Please note: Beverages are not included in the tour fee.)

Sapporo is a truly unique city that underwent a dramatic transformation in an incredibly short period. While it is now a bustling metropolis of 2 million people, just 150 years ago, it was an untouched primeval forest. This rapid growth was driven by the indomitable “frontier spirit” of the early pioneers. Join us on a walking tour to uncover this epic story by tracing the “Polaris”—the five-pointed star symbol placed upon key historical sites across the city.

We will visit iconic landmarks like the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building and the Clock Tower to see the Polaris symbol firsthand, while also searching for subtle traces of history hidden within the modern landscape. Along the way, we will stop for a moment of prayer at Hokkaido Jingu Tongu and a relaxing break with Japanese tea, allowing you to connect with the city’s spiritual roots.

The trail concludes at the site of Japan’s first beer brewery, where the dreams of the pioneers were once bottled. After the tour ends at this historic location, we invite you to relax at your own leisure and perhaps enjoy a beer to toast the remarkable 150-year journey of Sapporo. (Please note that food and drinks after the tour are at your own expense.)