thumb|Kita-ku office (Oct. 2004)

is a ward of Sapporo composed of residential neighborhoods mostly arranged in grid patterns, and each built surrounding a train station, broken up by areas of farmland and some light-industrial areas. With 260,000 people, it is the most populated ward in Sapporo.

Geography

Kita-ku is located in the northern part of Sapporo. The southern end of the ward is more built up, essentially a continuation of the adjoining Chūō-ku ("central ward," downtown Sapporo). Ishikari River runs through and borders the northern part of Kita-ku.

Kita-ku is subject to a colder, windier climate than the rest of Sapporo, and as one rides the JR line through towards Ainosato (the north-easternmost part of Sapporo) in winter, one can watch the intensity of the snows increase.

Education

University

National

  • Hokkaido University
  • Hokkaido University of Education

Private

  • Fuji Women's University
  • Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Sapporo Ainosato Campus

College

  • Hokkaido Musashi Women's Junior College

High schools

Public

  • Hokkaido Sapporo Kita High School
  • Hokkaido Sapporo Hokuryo High School
  • Hokkaido Sapporo Eiai High School
  • Hokkaido Sapporo Technical High School
  • Hokkaido Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School
  • Hokkaido Yuho High School
  • Hokkaido Sapporo Shinkawa High School (city)

Private

  • Sapporo Sosei High School
  • Fuji High School

Transportation

Rail

  • JR Hokkaido
  • Hakodate Main Line: Sapporo Station
  • Sasshō Line: Shinkawa - Shin-Kotoni - Taihei - Yurigahara - Shinoro - Takuhoku - Ainosato-Kyōikudai - Ainosato-kōen
  • Sapporo Municipal Subway
  • Namboku Line: Asabu - Kita-Sanjūyo-Jō - Kita-Nijūyo-Jō - Kita-Jūhachi-Jo - Kita-Jūni-Jō

Road

  • Sasson Expressway: Sapporo-Kita IC - Shinkawa IC
  • Route 5

Mascot

thumb|left|200px|Poppyi, the ward's mascot

Kita's mascot is is a bright, cute and energetic yet curious leaf fairy born from a shooting star that is fused with a leaf. She likes long walks and vegetables. Her birthday is October 21. Her charm points are her eyes and her star-shaped button. She is promoted as the mascot of the ward's health department before finally becoming the mascot of the ward in March 2019.

References

  • Kita-ku word office