Hitsujigaoka observation hill

nihongo|Hitsujigaoka observation hill|羊ヶ丘展望台|Hitsujigaoka tembōdai is the scenic spot located in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan.The bronze statue of Dr. William S. Clark, which stands on the hill, is well-known as the symbol of frontier spirit of Hokkaidō.

History

In 1906, the hill was developed as former national cattle breeding station, and in 1919, sheep breeding was started.From which the place name "Hitsujigaoka" derives. The literal meaning is "hill of sheep".
In 1959, Hitsujigaoka observation hill was opened on upper side of the hill in the Hokkaido National Agricultural Experiment Station.
In 1976, the statue of Dr. Clark was erected as a centennial monument to his visit in Hokkaidō. His famous words "Boys, be ambitious!" is inscribed on the pedestal.

Charm of the hill

Hitsujigaoka observation hill is the gentle hill which commands a panoramic view of Sapporo and Ishikari plain.
In the foreground of panorama a flock of sheep are grazing, which creates a pastoral scenery.
The statue of Dr. Clark is famous for the symbol of Hokkaidō's frontier spirit. Lots of tourists take pictures of themselves with the statue in the background.

Facilities

*Austrian House - souvenir shop
*Rest House - the restaurant where you can eat "Genghis Khan", mutton barbecue originated in Hokkaidō
*Clark Chapel
*Hitsujigaoka Wedding Palace
*Sapporo Snow Festival Museum

See also

*William S. Clark
*Sheep

External links

* [http://www.sta.or.jp/hitsujigaoka/ Hitsujigaoka observation hill official website(Japanese)]