2026.6 Built in 1941 as the official residence of the commander of the former Imperial Army’s Northern Army, it was also used by 樋口季一郎, who took up the command in 1942 (preventing the Soviet invasion of Hokkaido, requesting stronger defenses in the Aleutian Islands, and rescuing Jewish refugees). It was later also used as a student dormitory for Hokkaido University. Numerous materials related to the former military and exhibits on the history of agriculture and daily life are displayed. This museum offers a view not only of the region’s historical significance during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, but also of the history of settlement in Japan. Parking spaces are limited, but the museum is large enough that a thorough visit takes about 1 hour. Among the everyday objects that evoke life back then, including wool-shearing scissors, telephones, and heaters, I was reminded that even elementary school students in Chuo-ku used the same type of desks and chairs until grade 3 (of course, we did not use slate boards). People used tools and other things for longer and took better care of them than they do now.

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札幌市豊平区月寒東2条2丁目3-9 A 15-minute walk from Tsukisamu-Chuo Station on the Toho subway line Free admission The museum uses a building constructed in 1941 as the official residence of the commander of the former Imperial Army’s Northern Army (later the commander of the 5th Area Army). The imposing brick building retains its appearance from that time. After the war, the building became Hokkaido University’s Tsukisamu dormitory, and it opened as つきさっぷ郷土資料館 in 1985. The exhibits focus on materials related to settlement beginning in 1871 and materials about members of the former Imperial Army’s Northern Army connected with this area. The collection is divided into 4 categories—agriculture, forestry, the former military, and historical documents—and comprises approximately 1万 items. In particular, many former Imperial Army materials are displayed, including those about the Northern Army associated with the Tsukisamu area and the 25th Infantry Regiment. In the entrance lobby, dioramas and aerial photographs compare and introduce the changes from the Meiji-era settlement period until this area became Tsukisamu in Toyohira-ku when Sapporo became a government-designated city. The 1st floor contains settlement history materials (Exhibition Room 1) and a library The 2nd floor contains former military materials (Exhibition Room 2), old photo panels (Exhibition Room 3), and everyday objects from the Showa era (Exhibition Room 4) The 2nd-floor exhibition area has materials about Northern Army commander Lieutenant General 樋口季一郎 and materials related to Major General 加藤建夫. (Major General 加藤 originally transferred branches from the 25th Infantry Regiment and became an Army aviation second lieutenant assigned to the 6th Flying Regiment.) Aviation-related exhibits include: ・A wooden propeller from an Army Ko Type 4 fighter ・An explanation and photographs of the Type 1 fighter Hayabusa ・Army aviation insignia ・60 Years of Okadama Airfield (literature) ・Books about Army and Navy aviation units This museum displayed many materials of extremely high historical value. The building itself is also preserved in very good condition, just as it was at the time. If you are around Sapporo, please venture a little farther and visit by subway. Additional information: A 20-minute walk from つきさっぷ郷土資料館, the site of the former Northern Army headquarters exists as a peace park. The original main gate remains.

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Admission is free. Built in Showa 16 as the official residence of the Northern commander, it was requisitioned by the occupation forces after the war, then became Hokkaido University’s Tsukisamu dormitory before becoming a local history museum. Parking fits about 4 cars, and unfortunately it is cramped. There are many Army-related exhibits, such as bayonets and military uniforms. Its history begins when the 7th Division established a temporary headquarters at the tondenhei headquarters in Tsukisamu before moving to Asahikawa. Every exhibit is very valuable. Please visit at least once. 2025.10.22.

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It looked familiar, and then I realized I had been here before. There were old-fashioned farming tools and communications equipment, which was fun. I came across some lovely words from commander 樋口季一郎: cultivate yourself to govern others. I cannot govern other people, but I thought I would like to keep improving myself. Then there was a large sake flask, and seeing various bottles in an icebox used to store milk and such suddenly made me really crave drinking yogurt. There was also a vaccination certificate for smallpox, which has now been eradicated. No admission fee.

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A local history museum housed in the former official residence of the commander of the Imperial Army’s Northern Army. It displays historical materials on the settlement of Tsukisamu, the town’s development, the 25th Infantry Regiment stationed in Tsukisamu, and the Northern Army. I was able to learn in detail about the course of the war in the Hokkaido region (Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands).

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