Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is a scenic destination on a broad hillside in southeastern Sapporo. With expansive grasslands, grazing sheep, and panoramic views, it offers visitors a chance to experience the peaceful, pastoral landscape often associated with Hokkaido.
The grounds are home to several monuments connected with Sapporo and Hokkaido, including the famous statue of Dr. William Smith Clark, remembered for his contribution to the development of modern Hokkaido and for the inspiring words, “Boys, be ambitious!”
Looking across the spacious pastureland, visitors can see flocks of sheep grazing peacefully on the grass. The combination of open skies, green hills, and sheep creates a distinctly Hokkaido atmosphere just a short distance from the center of Sapporo.
Hitsujigaoka was originally a farm managed by the Faculty of Agriculture of Hokkaido University. It was opened to the public in 1965 and was subsequently developed as a sightseeing destination.
The statue of Dr. William Smith Clark has become the site’s best-known symbol. Clark served as the first vice principal of the Sapporo Agricultural College, the institution that later became Hokkaido University, and played an important role in the early development of agricultural education in Hokkaido.
His famous message, “Boys, be ambitious!”, has become closely associated with Hokkaido and is one of the most recognizable phrases connected with the region’s pioneering history.
From the observation hill, visitors can look across Sapporo, the Ishikari Plain, Mount Teine, and, in the distance, Mount Yotei. The broad open landscape provides a striking contrast to the urban environment of central Sapporo.
The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons. Spring brings fresh green vegetation, summer covers the hills in lush grass, autumn adds colorful foliage, and winter transforms the landscape into a snowy white panorama.
Sheep are raised on the grounds, adding to the peaceful rural atmosphere. Seasonal activities and events related to the sheep, including shearing and feeding experiences, are held for visitors.
Watching the sheep graze against the backdrop of the open Hokkaido landscape is one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to appreciate the character of Hitsujigaoka.
Hitsujigaoka also features a lavender field. From late June to early July, approximately 1,300 lavender plants bloom across the grounds, filling the landscape with purple flowers and a gentle seasonal fragrance.
The lavender provides another beautiful expression of Hokkaido’s summer scenery and makes the observation hill especially attractive during the flowering season.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill offers more than scenic viewpoints. Restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops allow visitors to enjoy Hokkaido specialties and take home local products.
Hands-on activities are also available, including wool crafts and butter-making experiences. These activities provide an enjoyable way for both children and adults to learn about life on a farm and the agricultural culture of Hokkaido.
In winter, the snowy grounds become a venue for seasonal outdoor activities such as snowshoeing and snow rafting, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the landscape in a completely different way.
A visit to Hitsujigaoka would not be complete without sampling some of Hokkaido’s famous local foods. Soft-serve ice cream made with Hokkaido milk is a popular treat, offering a rich and creamy taste that perfectly suits a day spent outdoors.
The site’s restaurants also serve Genghis Khan, Hokkaido’s famous grilled lamb dish. Enjoying the local specialty while surrounded by the pastoral scenery adds a distinctly Hokkaido touch to the experience.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill combines nature, history, food, and seasonal activities in a spacious setting easily accessible from Sapporo. It offers a refreshing escape from the city while remaining close enough for a convenient sightseeing visit.
From the iconic statue of Dr. Clark and peaceful grazing sheep to lavender in summer and snow-covered hills in winter, the site captures many of the images that make Hokkaido so appealing. It is an ideal place to slow down, enjoy the open landscape, and take in a different side of Sapporo.
May - September 8:00 - 20:00
October - April: 9:00-17:00
Open all year round
Adults 500 yen
Junior high school students 300 yen
Elementary school students 300 yen
From Fukuzumi Station on the Subway Toho Line, take Chuo Bus Fuku 84 for 12 minutes → walk from Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill