On Saturday, July 18, with the recent heat easing slightly, special campus tours led by Hokkaido University students were held for the public on the Sapporo Campus. From 9:00 a.m. through the afternoon, three tours were offered under the themes “Learning Ainu Culture,” “Walking Through Nature’s Bounty,” and “Discovering the Farm with HU students,” with 10 participants joining each tour.
The tours marked the culmination of “HOKUDAI Campus and Community Engagement,” an intensive course for first-year students offered for the first time this academic year. They were also part of the University’s efforts to promote an “Open Hokkaido University Campus” as one form of community engagement.
Through a series of lectures and practical sessions beginning in May, the students learned about the Hokkaido University campus from a range of perspectives, including its history and culture, biodiversity, the role of a guide, and engagement with society. They then divided into three groups to develop their tour plans and rehearse before taking on the real tour on this day. One student explained why they enrolled in the course: “I’m not good at speaking in front of people, so I joined because I wanted to overcome that.”
The “Learning Ainu Culture” tour began at the Hokkaido University Museum and passed the Elm Forest, the School of Agriculture, and Central Lawn before reaching the Main Gate, taking participants through an area rich in both history and nature. The students explained, sometimes with serious expressions, that Ainu people had lived in this area before the campus was established, making use of nature’s bounty, including the elm trees and giant lilies that can still be seen today and the salmon that once inhabited the Sakushukotoni River. After the tour, participants commented, “It was a precious opportunity to imagine how Ainu people lived at the time,” and “Rather than reading an information board, I felt each and every word spoken by the students really sink in.”
Students speaking thoughtfully with participants
The “Walking Through Nature’s Bounty” tour followed the Sakushukotoni River from the Central Lawn, passing Ono Pond, continuing to the Experimental Farm No.1, and the north side of Poplar Avenue. On the way, the group spotted an Ezo red squirrel climbing a tree and ducks resting beside the Sakushukotoni River, drawing cheers from the participants. At the farm, the students introduced the history of rice cultivation in Hokkaido and the importance of biosecurity. They also talked about student life along the way, giving participants a glimpse of the campus’s many charms. One participant, an HU alumnus, said, “Even as a graduate, there were many things I learned for the first time, and it made me feel proud of the University all over again. I hope today’s students make the most of this campus.”
The “Discovering the Farm with HU students” tour started at the Second Farm of Sapporo Agricultural College (Model Barn), passed through the woodland on the west side of campus, and headed to the Experimental Farm No.1, where the cattle barn is located. At the Model Barn, the students introduced facilities such as silos needed for cold-region agriculture, along with the history of Sapporo Agricultural College. At the Experimental Farm No.1, they explained how sustainable dairy farming centered on grazing continues to be studied and practiced today. The student guides highlighted the significance of studying sustainable agriculture and livestock farming in the heart of urban Sapporo, surrounded by modern buildings, where a large amount of consumption is taking place. One participant remarked, “It was something I never would have imagined when I was a student, but I realized that the SDGs are now central to the way today’s students think.”
After completing the tours, the students reflected on what they had learned. “I learned to speak while being mindful that different people interpret things differently, and I think that will help me throughout my life,” said one. Another commented, “I think it was important that I gained a sense of what it means to imagine the lives of Ainu people.” The students appeared to come away with both a sense of accomplishment and new perspectives.
Specially Appointed Associate Professor Midori Yaguchi of the Office of Public Relations and Social Collaboration, who organized the intensive course, said, “Through this course, I believe the students learned about Hokkaido University’s appeal, the importance of looking at things from multiple perspectives, and how to communicate effectively. This experience will provide a valuable foundation for deepening their future learning and broadening their perspectives. I am grateful to everyone who helped make this program possible.”
(Photos by Naoki Namba, Public Relations & Communications Division)