Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Hokkaido

A Sapporo hill with the statue of Dr Clark of "Boys, be ambitious" fame. Beyond pastures of grazing sheep lie the city and the Ishikari Plain.

Green pasture at Hitsujigaoka with the Sapporo cityscape and a domed stadium in the distance — Photo: kanesue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sheep grazing on the wide pasture below the Hitsujigaoka observation hill — Photo: kanesue, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An observation hill born from a sheep research farm

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (hitsuji means sheep, oka means hill) is a viewing spot on a hill in Sapporo's Toyohira ward. Before the war, this area was the national Tsukisamu Sheep Farm, a farm for breeding and improving sheep. After the war more and more sightseers came, and access was restricted to protect the research, but tourism groups lobbied for part of the land to be opened up, and it opened as an observation hill in 1959.

It is a place where you can see a classic Hokkaido farm landscape right next to a big city of about two million people.

Dr Clark, pointing into the distance

The star of the hill is the statue of Dr William S. Clark. Clark was an American who taught at Sapporo Agricultural College (today's Hokkaido University) in the Meiji era (1868-1912), and "Boys, be ambitious", the words he is said to have left his students when he departed, is a saying everyone in Japan knows.

The statue was put up in 1976 to mark 100 years since Clark came to Hokkaido and 100 years since the founding of Sapporo Agricultural College. It is the work of the sculptor Saka Tando, and Clark's right hand pointing into the distance is said to represent "eternal truth, far beyond".

Sheep graze near the statue, so you can get Dr Clark, the sheep and the Sapporo cityscape in a single photo.

Seasonal fun and the facilities

On site you will find the Dr Clark Memorial Hall, which introduces his life and ideas on education; the Sapporo Snow Festival Museum, where more than 70 models of snow sculptures trace the history of the Sapporo Snow Festival; and a restaurant serving Genghis Khan (jingisukan, grilled lamb and mutton).

In July about 1,000 lavender plants bloom, and during Golden Week (the run of holidays from late April to early May) the sheep are sheared. In winter it becomes the Hitsujigaoka Snow Park, with snow tubing and cross-country skiing.

Getting there, and the closure from 2027

From Sapporo Station, take the subway to Fukuzumi Station (about 20 minutes), then a bus for about 10 minutes. There is also an airport bus from New Chitose Airport to Fukuzumi Station.

According to the official site, the facility will close for renovation from 1 April 2027. Check the official site for when it will reopen. Admission fees and opening hours are also listed there.

Tips

It closes for renovation from 1 April 2027. Visit before then, or check the official site for news of the reopening.
Near the pedestal of the Clark statue there is a service where you can leave a card with a wish written on it.
At the winter Snow Park you can borrow cross-country skis and other gear for free (planned for 8 January to 7 March in 2027).

Sources

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill