Hokkaido Museum 北海道博物館

A comprehensive museum of Hokkaido that opened in April 2015, located adjacent to Nopporo Forest Park. Known by its nickname "Mori no Charenka" (Forest Brick Building), the museum is built around the concepts of "Hokkaido within Northeast Asia" and "The Relationship Between Nature and People." Its permanent exhibition spans approximately 3,000 square meters across the first and second floors, displaying around 10,000 items across natural history, archaeology, history, and folklore, organized into five thematic sections that trace Hokkaido's journey from the formation of its land to the present day.

Highlights include replicas of mammoths and Naumann's elephants, archaeological artifacts such as stone tools and pottery excavated across Hokkaido, taxidermied specimens of the region's wildlife, and an especially rich collection of exhibits on Ainu history and culture. Interpretive panels focusing on the contemporary lives of people with Ainu heritage make clear that Ainu culture is not a relic of the past but a living tradition connected to the present — a perspective woven throughout the museum's design.

Paired with a visit to the adjacent Historical Village of Hokkaido, the two facilities together offer a full day of discovery, combining outdoor exploration of historic buildings with in-depth indoor exhibitions. For anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of Hokkaido's nature, people, and history, this museum is an essential destination.