Kitahiroshima Voyage Tips and guide

Kitahiroshima (北広島) is a bed town in the central part of Hokkaido, just east of Sapporo, and famous as the home ground of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The city’s motto, “The Ambitious City,” comes from the famous phrase “Boys, be ambitious” spoken by William S. Clark when he bid farewell to students in Hokkaido, an episode tied to the area’s history.

Kitahiroshima is a suburban city in central Hokkaido, between Sapporo and Chitose. Many residents commute to Sapporo for work or study, giving the city its character as a “bed town” for the region’s capital.

The city is surrounded by gentle hills and farmland, reflecting its roots as an agricultural settlement. In recent decades, however, Kitahiroshima has seen rapid development, most notably with large-scale sports and commercial facilities connected to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Map of Kitahiroshima

• 42.92378141.538041 The Monument of William S. Clark (クラークの碑), 1-1 Shimamatsu, ☏ +81 11-377-5412. The Monument of William S. Clark in Kitahiroshima commemorates the American educator William S. Clark, remembered for having here spoken his farewell words to students, “Boys, be ambitious,” which became a famous phrase throughout Japan. (updated Sep 2025)

• 42.99095141.549251 Es Con Field Hokkaido (エスコンフィールド北海道), １番地 F Village. ES CON Field Hokkaido is a modern baseball stadium located in Kitahiroshima, opened in 2023 as the new home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The ballpark is the centerpiece of the large-scale Hokkaido Ballpark F Village development, which includes shops, restaurants, entertainment facilities, and even accommodation. The stadium seats around 35,000 spectators and features a retractable roof, making it suitable for year-round events. (updated Sep 2025)

Like most of Hokkaido, the sidewalk and road of Kitahiroshima tend to accumulate a lot of ice or snow in the winter.