Kita-ku, Sapporo

Kita (北区; -ku, lit. "north ward") 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. Kita-ku is located in the northern part of Sapporo. With 260,000 people, it is the most populated ward (ku) in Sapporo. The southern edge of Kita-ku is more built up, and is pretty much a continuation of Chuo-ku (downtown Sapporo) The Ishikari river runs through and borders the northern part of Kita-ku.

Office building of Kita-ku (Oct. 2004)

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.

Kita-ku is served by Japan Railway, and the local bus system. Its terrain is very flat, making the area convenient for cycling in summer, as well.

• Area:63.48 square km
• Population: 268604 (1/1/2004)
• Kita-ku Ward Office: Sapporo-shi Kita-ku, 24 Jo Nishi 6 Chome 001-8612
  • Phone: +81 011 7575 2400 (prefix with whatever code is necessary for dialing Japan from your country, e.g. from the U.S. 81)

43°7′18.048″N 141°20′23.222″E