Kitahiroshima
Discover Kitahiroshima
Kitahiroshima (北広島) is a city bordering Sapporo in the central part of Hokkaido, and famous as the home ground of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. The city’s motto, “The Ambitious City,” comes from the famous phrase “Boys, be ambitious” spoken by William S. Clark when he bid farewell to students in Hokkaido, an episode tied to the area’s history. Kitahiroshima is a suburban city in central Hokkaido, between Sapporo and Chitose. Many residents commute to Sapporo for work or study, giving the city its character as a “bed town” for the region’s capital.
Taste of Kitahiroshima...
Like most of Hokkaido, the sidewalk and road of Kitahiroshima tend to accumulate a lot of ice or snow in the winter.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Kitahiroshima into what it is today.
Kitahiroshima’s origins go back to the Meiji period, when settlers from Hiroshima Prefecture moved north in search of new lands. In 1884, about 25 families (107 people) migrated and laid the groundwork for what eventually became the village of Hiroshima in central Hokkaido. In 1894, Hiroshima Village was officially founded. Over time the population and infrastructure grew, and in 1968, the village was renamed Hiroshima Town. Finally, on September 1, 1996, Hiroshima Town was promoted to city status. Because there was already another city named Hiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture (on the other side of Japan), the new city was renamed Kitahiroshima (literally “North Hiroshima”). Kitahiroshima has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Snow usually starts in November and lasts until March. Daylight hours vary greatly through the year — summer days are long and bright, while winter days are short, with sunsets before 17:00. JR Chitose Line trains run frequently to Kita‑Hiroshima Station from both Sapporo and New Chitose Airport; Rapid Airport services take about 18–21 minutes and run every 15–20 minutes in daytime hours.¥1420. From Sapporo. Board a Rapid Airport or local JR train from Sapporo Station to Kita‑Hiroshima; typical journey time is around 18 minutes, with departures several times per hour. From New Chitose Airport....
Climate
Kitahiroshima has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Snow usually starts in November and lasts until March. Daylight hours vary greatly through the year — summer days are long and bright, while winter days are short, with sunsets before 17:00. JR Chitose Line trains run frequently to Kita‑Hiroshima Station from both Sapporo and New Chitose Airport; Rapid Airport services take about 18–21 minutes and run every 15–20 minutes in daytime hours.¥1420. From Sapporo. Board a Rapid Airport or local JR train from Sapporo Station to Kita‑Hiroshima; typical journey time is around 18 minutes, with departures several times per hour. From New Chitose Airport. Take the JR Rapid Airport from the airport station directly to Kita‑Hiroshima in roughly 21 minutes; trains operate all day at regular intervals. To ES CON Field.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsJR Chitose Line trains run frequently to Kita‑Hiroshima Station from both Sapporo and New Chitose Airport; Rapid Airport services take about 18–21 minutes and run every 15–20 minutes in daytime hours.¥1420. From Sapporo. Board a Rapid Airport or local JR train from Sapporo Station to Kita‑Hiroshima; typical journey time is around 18 minutes, with departures several times per hour. From New Chitose Airport. Take the JR Rapid Airport from the airport station directly to Kita‑Hiroshima in roughly 21 minutes; trains operate all day at regular intervals. To ES CON Field. From Kita‑Hiroshima Station, walk along the signposted Elfin Road or use the short shuttle bus from the West Exit; the shuttle takes about 5 minutes and runs on game and event days with a small fare. Event shuttles also operate from hubs such as Shin‑Sapporo and sometimes from New Chitose Airport on game days; check current timetables before traveling....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Kitahiroshima's public transit is efficient and affordable, especially with IC cards, but the city is spread out with residential areas and parks, so taxis or rideshares fill gaps for shorter trips. Winter snow and ice can make walking or driving trickier—stick to cleared paths and check for delays. English signage is limited outside stations, so use apps like Hyperdia or Google Maps for real-time schedules. The JR Chitose Main Line is your best bet for getting around, with Kita-Hiroshima Station as the main hub. Trains run frequently to/from Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport (20 minutes, ¥650). For broader Hokkaido travel, the line links to other JR routes, but local services are limited—expect 1-2 trains per hour off-peak. IC cards like Kitaca (JR Hokkaido's rechargeable card, starting at ¥1,000 with ¥500 deposit) or interoperable ones (Suica, PASMO) work seamlessly for tap-and-go fares. Buy at station machines (English available) and top up with cash or card.
Where to Stay
Like most of Hokkaido, the sidewalk and road of Kitahiroshima tend to accumulate a lot of ice or snow in the winter.
Money & Budget
Fighters merchandise — Official team stores around ES CON Field carry Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters jerseys, towels, cheering goods, and limited snacks; easiest stop pre‑ or post‑game. Outdoor and winter gear — Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima has a wide range of outdoor and snow brands, with off‑season discounts that can be steep. Dairy sweets and butter cookies — Hokkaido’s milk and butter drive a deep lineup of local cookies, caramels, and custard cakes that keep well as omiyage. Regional products — Small market corners sell local produce, seafood preserves, and Hokkaido gift items in convenient sizes for travelers. Like most of Hokkaido, the sidewalk and road of Kitahiroshima tend to accumulate a lot of ice or snow in the winter.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Like most of Hokkaido, the sidewalk and road of Kitahiroshima tend to accumulate a lot of ice or snow in the winter.