From Sapporo, Japan's northernmost designated city

Greetings from Sapporo!
A refreshing summer has arrived here as well.
Sapporo has a population of approximately 1.975 million, accounting for about 37.8% of Hokkaido's total population, and is the political, economic, and cultural center of the region. Its area is approximately 1,121 km², which is almost the same size as Hong Kong!
Sapporo has many tourist attractions, but let's start with a lovely building located near our new office, which we recently moved into.

①Sapporo Clock Tower

Its official name is the "Former Sapporo Agricultural College Drill Hall," and
it was built in 1878 as a facility of the Sapporo Agricultural College, the predecessor of Hokkaido University, based on the vision of the famous Dr. Clark, the first headmaster.
After being designated as Sapporo City's first tangible cultural property in 1961, it was designated as a national important cultural property in June 1970
, and even today, the bell rings throughout the city every hour on the hour.

②Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

Known affectionately as the "Red Brick Government Building,"
this historic building served as the center of Hokkaido's administration for approximately 80 years until the current new government building was constructed. Built in 1888 in the American-style Neo-Baroque brick style,
much of the building material is said to have been sourced from Hokkaido. It was designated a National Important Cultural Property in March 1969. The
imposing Red Brick Government Building, standing proudly in the heart of the city, is quite an impressive sight.

Originally,
there were many events I wanted to introduce around this time, such as the "YOSAKOI Soran Festival" and the "Hokkaido Shrine Festival," but they were canceled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
So, I decided to venture a little further afield and visit a different place...

③Makomanai Takino Cemetery

Thirty-three Moai statues have been erected as part of the park cemetery facilities, and five of them
were wearing masks. (Apparently, the materials were waterproof sheets and nylon rope.)
The "Mo" in Moai means future, and "ai" means to live.
A sign was posted with the title "Even the Moai are protected on the land of Hokkaido!" urging people to wash their hands and gargle
. We hope that, as the Moai wish, the coronavirus infection will subside...

Sapporo is full of things to see and do! Once the COVID-19 situation calms down, I think not only events but also many restaurants
will reopen, so please come and visit then.

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