The Hokkaido University campus – from Summer to Autumn

Attention: this post contains many images, so it might be best to not view it on a mobile connection.

The campus of Hokkaido University is loaded with trees/bushes or other green. Originally being an agricultural University, it has a big research farm with a significant number of fields on its premises as well. In summer, or rather end of summer as I haven’t really experienced summer in Hokkaido, the campus is vividly green. There is only one main road going through the campus, on which cars can drive.

Hokkaido University has a Faculty of Letters! In my opinion it’s a rather unfortunate translation for the Faculty of Literature…

There are benches all around the campus, this one in front of the Faculty of Agricalture

At the entrance is fairly cheap but good cafe, designed with respect to its surroundings

Hokkaido University also has a few canals and ponds on its premesis

During breaks, many people go there and sit by the water. Though I rekon that most of them are tourists!

As you could probably already tell from the pictures above, the most common method of moving around is:

Hokkaido University’s most famous “attraction” is probably its Ginkgo Tree Avenue, which on a good day in summer shines in bright green!

And then gradually turns yellow as Autumn rolls in.

Hidden behind those trees is the central cafeteria/mensa of Hokudai! The food is, at least compared to German cafeterias, very good and the variety is huge. While it is not cheap, it is definitely not expensive either. A good lunch with different dishes runs for about 600yen.

In the beginning of October, the trees’ colours started to slowly turn yellow or red.

While some trees are very fast and turn red at once..

other plants change their colour gradually from the tips inward.

The picture above shows a part of Students’ dorm rooms on the campus. Unfortunately, I did not get to chose my dormitory, so ended up in a different one.

Even after the Ivy turned entirely red, the trees are still green!

Many trees also sport different colours at once..

The Autumn colours draw many people to the campus, some of whom like to paint!

Construction works are well fenced off and it’s hard to see what is being built..

The University’s Ginkgo Tree entrance is restricted, so you need a special permit to enter.

During the “rush hours”, checking the permits causes a fairly long traffic jam!

While the Ginkgo trees are still a mix of green and yellow, the trees at the pond are already as colourful at they get.

Drawing many people to take pictures!

Kindergarden children in pushcarts also get to enjoy the view!

As well as elderly people in front of the Faculty of Engineering..

While the streets are relatively empty and cleaned on weekdays,…

many people use the chance and check the Autumn leaves on the weekend! Also, on the weekend the streets are not being cleared off the leaves, making for some extra yellow!

Thanks for reading :)!