Toyohira-ku, Sapporo

nihongo|Toyohira-ku, Sapporo|豊平区、札幌| is one of the 10 wards in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. The ward was established in 1972, when the Sapporo Olympics was held in Sapporo. Four other wards in Sapporo are bounded on Toyohira-ku.

Overview

The name "Toyohira" is derived from Ainu language, which means "crumbled cliff". [ [http://www.city.sapporo.jp/toyohira/gaiyou/06place_name.html The outline of Toyohira-ku] ] The symbol flower of the ward is Petunia. The ward has two mascot characters: Korin is a character whose motif is the apple, which is mainly used to be raised in Toyohira-ku, and Mētan whose motif is the sheep, which is bred in the Hitsujigaoka observation hill. [ [http://www.city.sapporo.jp/toyohira/machi/character/01about.html Korin and Mētan] ] Toyohira-ku has some sports venues which were constructed for the Sapporo Olympics in 1972, and the Sapporo Dome is also located.

According to the jūminhyō (registry of current residential addresses and figures) in 2008, 209,358 people are living in Toyohira-ku, which includes 97,999 males and 111,336 females. [ [http://www.city.sapporo.jp/toyohira/gaiyou/02jinkou.html Population of Toyohira-ku] ] The total area of the ward is 46.35 km² , and is adjacent to four other wards in Sapporo: Minami-ku, Chūō-ku, Kiyota-ku, and Shiroishi-ku.

Surrounded by a rich natural environment, Toyohira-ku has a number of rivers including the Toyohira River, a tributary of the Ishikari River. The Sapporo University, Hokkai Gakuen University, and Hokkai School of Commerce are located in Toyohira-ku, as well as a number of highschools, junior highschools, elementary shools and nursery schools.

History

In 1857, the railroad from Zenibako area in Otaru was laid in the place where Toyohira-ku is currently located. After the Meiji Period, the cultivation in Toyohira-ku was started by pioneers from Honshū, and Hiragishi Village and Tsukisamu Village were formed in 1872, Toyohira Village was established in 1874. [http://www.city.sapporo.jp/toyohira/gaiyou/05history.html The history of Toyohira-ku] ]

The apple farms were established in Hiragishi Village, which later became famous as the Hiragishi Apple, the IJA 7th Division was posted in Tsukisamu Village, and many stores and hotels were erected along the Route 36. Hiragishi and Tsukisamu villages were merged into Toyohira Village in 1902.

In 1908, Toyohira Town was established, and in 1910, Toyohira district in the town was merged into Sapporo district, which was the predecessor of Sapporo City. The entire area of Toyohira Town was merged into Sapporo City in 1961.

In 1972, the Sapporo Olympics was held in Sapporo, and as Sapporo was listed as one of the cities designated by government ordinance in the same year, the eastern area of Toyohira Town was split and Toyohira-ku was officially established. In 1997, part of Toyohira-ku was split, and Kiyota-ku was established.

Points of interest

* Sapporo Dome - a stadium which is the home field of the baseball team, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and the football club Consadole Sapporo.
* Hitsujigaoka observation hill - the place where visitors can view the scene of Sapporo City from the hill, also famous for the bronze statue of William S. Clark.
* Tsukisamu Green Dome - one of the events and sports venues in Sapporo.
* Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center (KITAYELL) - an indoor sporting arena.

Sources

External links

* [http://www.city.sapporo.jp/toyohira/ Official homepage of Toyohira-ku] ja icon