Kitahiroshima (北広島) is a suburb of Sapporo in the central part of Hokkaido, 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.
Understand
[edit]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. Kitahiroshima has developed rapidly, most notably with large-scale sports and commercial facilities connected to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
History
[edit]Kitahiroshima’s origins go back to the Meiji period, when settlers from Hiroshima Prefecture moved north in search of new lands. In 1884, about 25 families (107 people) migrated and laid the groundwork for what eventually became the village of Hiroshima in central Hokkaido.
In 1894, Hiroshima Village was officially founded. Over time the population and infrastructure grew, and in 1968, the village was renamed Hiroshima Town.
Finally, on September 1, 1996, Hiroshima Town was promoted to city status. Because there was already another city named Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture (on the other side of Japan), the new city was renamed Kitahiroshima (literally “North Hiroshima”).
Climate
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Kitahiroshima has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Snow usually starts in November and lasts until March.
Daylight hours vary greatly through the year — summer days are long and bright, while winter days are short, with sunsets before 17:00.
Get in
[edit]Kitahiroshima is just east of Sapporo.
By train
[edit]The train takes 16 min from Sapporo station JR to Kitahiroshima station JR, and comes every 9 min. ¥1420.
- JR Kita-Hiroshima Station. is the main railway station of Kita-hiroshima.
By car
[edit]Kita-hiroshima is 44 minutes away from Sapporo by car with using route 12.
Get around
[edit]
See
[edit]- 1 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.
- 2 Kitahiroshima City Eco Museum Center Innovation Station (北広島市エコミュージアムセンター知新の駅), Koyocho, 3 Chome−１−番地. 09:00-17:00. Free.
Do
[edit]- 1 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.
- 2 Kitahiro park (北広公園), 2 Chome-51 Sakaecho (5 min walk from Kitahiroshima Sta. JR), ☏ +81 -11 -376 -6637. 24 Hours. This spacious community park sits quietly in the center of Kitahiroshima, serving as one of the city’s most popular local gathering spots. Built in 1972, the park has wide lawns, tennis courts, and a children’s playground, making it a go-to spot for families on weekends and during cherry blossom season.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Tonkatsu Hachifuku (とんかつ 八福), 3 Chome-1番地17 Misawa, ☏ +81 11 887 8396. Tu-Su 11:30 - 15:00, 16:30 - 20:00. Famous local tonkatsu place near by Es con field Hokkaido. ¥1000-2000.
- 2 Ryo Sushi (良寿し), Kyoeicho, 1 Chome−１−10, ☏ +81 11 372 3523. 11:00-21:00. Their sushi is served in modest portions with fresh, seasonal fish, emphasizing subtle flavors over extravagance. The restaurant features private rooms and counter seating, making it ideal for both solo diners and intimate groups. 1000¥~2000.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Minn Kitahiroshima Station East (Minn 北広島 Station East), 5 Chome-8-1 Central (5 min walk from Kitahiroshima station), ☏ +81 50 1721 8684. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Walkable distance from the train station and the Es Con Field if you are watching a baseball game. ¥10,000-20-000.
- 2 tower eleven hotel, tower eleven hotel, エスコンフィールド北海道 tower eleven hotel, 4F, 1 F Village (Inside of Es Con field Hokkaido), ☏ +81 50 3171 7525. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 09:00. This hotel is built directly into ES CON Field Hokkaido, offering a one-of-a-kind stay literally inside the ballpark. Opened in 2023 along with the stadium, Tower Eleven Hotel provides rooms that overlook the field itself, letting guests watch baseball games right from their windows or balconies.
Even when there’s no game, the hotel gives access to restaurants, shops, and the surrounding F Village complex, making it a stylish base for anyone visiting Kitahiroshima. Singles ¥20,000, doubles ¥40,000 but in the off season it can be as little as ¥15,000 per night. - 3 BALLPARK TAKIBI TERRACE ALLPAR (オルパ), F Village, 8番地 BALLPARK TAKIBI TERRACE ALLPAR, ☏ +81 11 373 5030. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Located within the F Village complex beside ES CON Field, ALLPAR is an outdoor terrace area designed for barbecues and bonfires with a perfect view of the ballpark. Visitors can enjoy local Hokkaido ingredients, craft beer, and relaxed open-air dining while warming up by the fire pits — especially popular on cool summer nights or snowy winter evenings. The terrace blends camping and sports atmosphere, making it a cozy hangout spot before or after a game, or even for those who just want to enjoy the stadium vibe without a ticket. 15,000~25,000¥.
Stay safe
[edit]Like most of Hokkaido, the sidewalk and road of Kitahiroshima tend to accumulate a lot of ice or snow in the winter.