Kita-ku, Sapporo



Kita-ku (北区) 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.

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

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

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
Kita's mascot is Poppyi (きよっち) 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.