Beautiful building on the exterior, but the museum portion was lacking. The rooms did not have much information in and seemed quite sparse, mainly containing just tables and chairs. There was a cafe serving a small selection of food and drink. There was a lovely staff member who spoke to us for a while in English. She gave us lots of pamphlets on areas to see around Hokkaido and extra information on the museum, which was great! It is also next to a lovely garden which I recommend.

Hoheikan is a beautiful historic building located within Nakajima Park. Unfortunately, I visited in the evening after it had already closed, so I didn’t have a chance to explore the interior. Even from the outside, the building is quite impressive, with its elegant vintage architecture and distinctive light-blue-and-white exterior. It stands out nicely against the surrounding greenery and makes for a great photo stop while walking through the park. A charming landmark that is worth admiring, even if you only have time to see it from the outside.

Beautifully preserved hotel from the late Meiji Era. Most of the original features are still intact, and it’s full of fascinating history. I was lucky to meet a volunteer guide who gave a free tour in Japanese (and some simple English) — highly recommend joining if you see him! The building has a Western-style design with unique Japanese touches. Look for the star emblem of the Hokkaido Development Commission on the roof — you can also spot it on other historic buildings in Hokkaido. Each room has a ceiling medallion design, corresponds to the room's name, like lilies, wisteria, peonies, grapes, or even a Japanese phoenix. The Murasaki Room once hosted the Meiji Emperor himself. Some features, like the glass windows, were imported since Japan couldn’t make them at the time. Others, like the chandeliers, were made in Japan with a beautiful East–West fusion design. Originally gas-lit, they still have the old gas knobs! The first-floor bedrooms are now used for exhibitions (videos in Japanese only — wish they had English subtitles). You’ll find the original beds on the second floor, and some rooms still have their charcoal fireplaces. The venue can even be rented for weddings — rates are on their website. A must-visit for history lovers, architecture fans, or anyone exploring Hokkaido.

+3

Hōhei Kan was a lovely place to spend some time. It felt open and peaceful, with a calming atmosphere that made it easy to slow down and just enjoy being there. I was also pleasantly surprised to come across sakura here, especially when it’s been difficult to find them elsewhere in Japan. A very memorable stop.

+3

Hoheikan is a beautiful, well-maintained historic building in Sapporo that once hosted the Emperor. The entrance fee is very cheap, and it’s not crowded, making it a peaceful and worthwhile place to visit.

+1