Hokkaido University
A former Imperial University with roots in agricultural education.
Hokkaido University (北海道大学, Hokkaidō daigaku), often shortened to Hokudai (北大), is a public research university located in Sapporo, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. It was established in 1918, making it the fifth-oldest government-authorized university in the country and one of the former Imperial Universities. The institution traces its origins back to Sapporo Agricultural College, founded in 1876, which was a trailblazer in Japan's modern agricultural education and research. Its motto, "Boys, Be Ambitious," is attributed to the parting words of William S. Clark, the American dean of that college.
The university comprises 12 undergraduate faculties and 21 postgraduate schools. It operates mainly on two campuses: the main campus lies in downtown Sapporo, just north of Sapporo Station, while the other, in Hakodate, is primarily used by the Faculty of Fishery Sciences.
The university's history began with the formal incorporation of Yezo as Hokkaido into Japan. Kuroda Kiyotaka, director of the Hokkaidō Development Commission, traveled to America in 1870 and looked to the American model for settling new lands. He brought back General Horace Capron, a commissioner of agriculture who advocated for new farming methods and crops suited to Hokkaido's colder climate. This led to the founding of Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876 by William S. Clark, with five faculty members and an initial class of 24 students. In September 1907, Tohoku Imperial University established a Faculty of Agriculture in Sapporo, which it then ceded to the newly formed Hokkaido Imperial University on April 1, 1918. This institution was one of nine Imperial Universities. In 1918, Chiyo Matsumoto became the first woman student admitted to the university. The School of Medicine was founded in 1919, at which point the Agricultural College became the Faculty of Agriculture. The Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, and, in 1947, the Faculty of Law and Literature followed. The university adopted its current name, Hokkaido University, in 1947, and the Graduate School was established in 1953.
Since 2004, the university has operated as a National University Corporation under a law applying to all national universities. While this incorporation granted greater financial independence and autonomy, the university remains partially controlled by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Quick Facts
- Native Name
- ja · 北海道大学
- Motto
- ja · 少年よ、大志を抱け
- Established
- Founded September 1876 (as Sapporo Agricultural College), / Chartered April 1, 1918
- President
- Kiyohiro Houkin
- City
- Sapporo
- State
- Hokkaido
- Country
- Japan
- Undergrad
- 11,935 (2017)
- Postgrad
- 6,336 (2017)
- Administrative Staff
- 6,250
- Campus
- Urban, / 3.0 km / 2
- Mascot
- None
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The university traces its history to the incorporation of Yezo as Hokkaido into Japan. Director of the Hokkaidō Development Commission Kuroda Kiyotaka, after traveling to America in 1870, looked to the American model for settling the new lands. He brought General Horace Capron, a commissioner of agriculture, who pushed for new agricultural practices. This led to the founding of Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876 by William S. Clark, with five faculty members and a first class of 24 students. The college's motto, 'Boys, Be Ambitious,' is attributed to Clark's parting words. Notably, Chiyo Matsumoto made history as the first female student admitted to the university in 1918, paving the way for future generations of women in higher education.
Reader's Guide
Hokkaido University holds significance as one of Japan's nine Imperial Universities, reflecting its historical role in higher education and research. Its founding as Sapporo Agricultural College marked a pioneering effort in modern agricultural education in Japan, influenced by American models. The university's selection in 2014 for the Super Global Universities program (Top Type) underscores its ambition to rank among the world's top 100 universities, supported by annual funding of ¥420 million until 2023. The university has also faced notable events, including the dismissal of its president Toyoharu Nawa in June 2020 for abuse of power—the first such dismissal since national universities became independent in 2004—and a fatal accident in August 2026 involving a graduate student exposed to hydrofluoric acid. Its campuses in Sapporo and Hakodate, along with programs like the Hokkaido Summer Institute and English-taught degrees, contribute to its international profile.
Did You Know?
- In June 2020, president Toyoharu Nawa was dismissed by the education minister for abuse of power, the first such dismissal since 2004.
- On August 27, 2026, a male graduate student was killed in an accident involving exposure to hydrofluoric acid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hokkaido University?
Hokkaido University, widely known by its nickname Hokudai, is a public research university based in Sapporo on Japan's northernmost main island. It was formally chartered in 1918 and has functioned as a National University Corporation since 2004.
What is the famous motto of Hokkaido University and where does it come from?
The school's motto, 'Boys, Be Ambitious,' is traditionally credited to William S. Clark, the American agriculturalist who led its predecessor institution, Sapporo Agricultural College. The phrase has endured as a shorthand for the university's founding ethos of bold, forward-looking scholarship.
Why is Hokkaido University historically significant in Japanese education?
It belongs to the group of nine former Imperial Universities, placing it among the most prestigious national institutions of the pre-war era. Its lineage reaches back to Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876, which was a trailblazer in introducing modern agricultural science to Japan.
Where are Hokkaido University's campuses located?
The primary campus is in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, while the Faculty of Fishery Sciences operates from a separate site in Hakodate. This two-city layout mirrors the university's dual focus on the island's urban research community and its coastal marine traditions.
How large is Hokkaido University's academic structure?
The university organizes its teaching across 12 undergraduate faculties and 21 postgraduate schools, spanning a broad spectrum of disciplines. In 2014 it was also chosen as a Top Type participant in Japan's Super Global Universities initiative, underscoring its push toward international research leadership.
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