Community Overview
The Horokita area is located between the Sosegawa River and the campus of Hokkaido University. It used to be called “the Teppoku(鉄北) district” because it was located on the north side of the railroad. However, as the city developed, it was divided into two districts: “the Tessei(鉄西) district” from north of Sapporo Station to Kita 11jo, and “the Horokita(幌北) district” from Kita 12jo to the south of Kita 24jo Street. Currently, the Horokita district consists of 11-unit neighborhood associations.
■Characteristics of Horokita District
There are 88 districts in Sapporo.
Among them, there are three that make the Horokita district the best.
(1) The youngest district with an average age of 40.3 years.
(2) The district with the largest number of students living there.
(3) The district with the largest number of foreign residents (*All as of October 1, 2016)
The Horokita area is an educational district with three universities and junior colleges, as well as a number of vocational schools.
As a result, the area attracts many students and foreign students, making it one of the youngest and most vibrant areas in Sapporo.
■The Horokita area continues to develop even today
In 1971, three subway stations were established in the district with the opening of the Namboku Subway Line (Makomanai to Kita 24-jo) in preparation for the Sapporo Winter Olympic Games to be held the following year.
Since that time, the Horokita area has developed as a district bordering the center of Sapporo, and the Kita 24-jo neighborhood at the northern end of the district has transformed into a busy shopping area that is often referred to as a “second Susukino”.
In 1971, three subway stations were established in the district with the opening of the Namboku Subway Line (Makomanai to Kita 24-jo) in preparation for the Sapporo Winter Olympic Games to be held the following year.
Since that time, the Horokita area has developed as a district bordering the center of Sapporo, and the Kita 24-jo neighborhood at the northern end of the district has transformed into a busy shopping area that is often referred to as a “second Susukino.
In addition, the completion of the elevated railroad line at Sapporo Station in 1988, the completion of the Sapporo Station North Exit Plaza in 1998, and the opening of the Kanjo-dori Elm Tunnel in 2001 had a significant impact on the development of the district.
In 1972, Sapporo was designated as an ordinance-designated city, and Kita-ku, established with a population of 130,000 at that time, now has a population of 280,000 and continues to develop as the largest ward in Sapporo.