The former Hokkaido Government Office Building
The former Hokkaido Government Office Building

People tend to think that Hokkaido only has a short history compared with that of Honshu. However, actually, from ancient times, Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people, who have their own language and original culture, appreciating the blessings of nature and coexisting with nature, have been living in a unique way, centered on hunting, fishing and gathering.

In 1845, Takeshiro Matsura explored the island formerly called Ezochi. Then in 1868, the Hokkaido Development Commission was established and the name Ezochi was changed to Hokkaido.

The Hokkaido Environment and Life Department, General Affairs Section, Ainu Measures Promotion Group (Japanese only)

The Hokkaido Utari Association (Japanese only)