Golden Kamuy is a very popular Japanese manga. It has been made into an anime and a live-action movie, and is loved by many people in Japan and abroad, regardless of age or gender.
The author, Satoru Noda, is from Hokkaido, the northernmost island prefecture of Japan.
Since Golden Kamuy is based on the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, there are many places in Hokkaido that served as models for the story.
Many people may be thinking that they would like to make a pilgrimage to the sacred places of Golden Kamuy when sightseeing in Hokkaido.
Therefore, in this article, I, a resident of Sapporo City in Hokkaido, recommend five Golden Kamuy sacred sites pilgrimage spots in the suburbs of Sapporo.
I have listed them in an order that allows you to tour them efficiently, so please use them as a reference when making a pilgrimage to the holy places.
*Please note that the article contains some spoilers, so please be careful if you have not read Golden Kamuy yet.
1. Nakajima Park
Nakajima Park in Sapporo is a city park with lush greenery, a pond and a concert hall. As mentioned in the manga, Nakajima Amusement Park used to be an amusement park from the Showa period to the early Heisei period, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons.
The bench in front of the pond where Special Chief Kikuta was sitting in episode 280 of volume 28 is a sacred place.
You can actually sit on the bench and enjoy the view of the pond or take a commemorative photo.
Nakajima Park in the fall of 2019.
- Yotsuba (*´˘`*) (@yotubaafunnai) January 4, 2022
There used to be an amusement park.# Golden Kamuy # Hokkaido # Sapporo pic.twitter.com/MJVnfq6vLa
▼ Nakajima Park
Address: Nakajima Koen, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Admission: Free (as with most parks, open 24 hours a day to anyone)
Access: Short walk from Exit 1 and 3 of Nakajima Koen Station on the Namboku Subway Line.
2. Sapporo Clock Tower
Sapporo Clock Tower is located between JR Sapporo Station and Odori Subway Station in the central area of Sapporo and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sapporo.
As the oldest mechanical tower clock in Japan, it is still ticking away the time, attracting many tourists from morning till night to take pictures.
In Golden Kamuy, the clock appears frequently during the Sapporo chapter of Volumes 23-25 (Episodes 225-250), when Sugimoto's group and the 7th Division arrive in Sapporo in pursuit of escaped prisoners Michael Ostrog and Keiji Ueji.
It also appears on the back cover of volume 24, so be sure to stop by when you visit Sapporo.
# Golden Kamuy # Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
- Madhuri (@nekozuki2nyan) March 16, 2021
Clock tower and Arikorikimatsu on the back cover of vol. 24
Nerds who want to take the same composition pic.twitter.com/caYGz0p5jN
▼ Sapporo Clock Tower
Address: Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Admission: [Adults] 200 yen / [Elementary, junior high and high school students] Free (* Student ID required)
Access: 10 min. walk from South Exit of JR Sapporo Stn. 5 min. walk from exit 9 of Odori Subway Station.
3. Sapporo Christ Church
Built in the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912), the Sapporo Christ Church is a famous historical building and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
It is famous as one of the sacred places in Golden Kamuy, and since its appearance in Golden Kamuy, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sapporo.
Sapporo Christ Church is an important place that Takuboku Ishikawa was inspired by the same location of the church in Whitechapel, London, when he identified the final murder site of Jack the Ripper in episodes 247-248 of volume 25.
Furthermore, it is also the church where Asilipa and Sophia were abducted by Lt. Tsurumi after episode 264 of volume 27.
The title of the manga is recovered in an exchange that takes place in this church, so it is worth a visit.
Sapporo Church of Christ in Japan
- Midori100% (@neroli_88) April 30, 2023
It's the beginning of Tsurumi Theater!
Golden Kamuy, so to speak!" pic.twitter.com/r8WvAfylYj
▼ Sapporo Christ Church
Address: Kita 1-jo Higashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Access: 5 min. walk from “Bus Center-mae” or “Odori” station on the Subway Tozai line.
4. Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Beer Museum is the oldest beer museum in Japan.
It is designated as a Hokkaido Heritage Site and is a valuable building from the Meiji era, so its exterior is also well known for its wonderful appearance.
In Golden Kamuy, the scene where Sugimoto and his friends gathered at the Sapporo Beer Factory to take a beer bath in episode 249 of volume 25 is very impressive.
Inside the museum, there are many attractions, including colorful papers donated by the author, Satoru Noda, and special reissued beer that can only be enjoyed here. Especially for those who love alcoholic beverages, it is recommended to visit the museum.
# Golden Kamuy # Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
- Madhuri (@nekozuki2nyan) March 17, 2021
I've seen the colorful papers donated to the Sapporo Beer Museum.
I'm thinking this might be the label. pic.twitter.com/Q8XikSES4f
▼ Sapporo Beer Museum
Address: 9-1-1, Kita 7-jo Higashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Hours: [Museum Exhibits] 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (last admission 5:30 pm) / [Star Hall (paid tasting)] 11:00 am -6:30 pm (L.o.6:00 pm) [Museum Shop] 11:00 am - 7:30 pm
Admission: Free (free tours)
Premium tours are also available for a fee (Adults: 1,000 yen, Junior high school students - under 20: 500 yen, Elementary school students and under: free)
Access: 10 min. walk from Higashi-Kuyakushomae Sta. on the Toho Subway Line, 8 min. walk from the North Exit of JR Naebo Sta.
5. Historical Village of Hokkaido
The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum that reconstructs and reconstructs buildings built from the Meiji period to the early Showa period in various parts of Hokkaido.
Buildings 33 & 52 in the village were featured in the Golden Kamuy movie.
It is also a movie location, so why not immerse yourself in the world of Golden Kamuy at the museum?
Hokkaido Development Village
- Susan (@susan_union) August 19, 2024
Seems to be the location of Golden Kamuy.
I'm so excited because I'm addicted right now.
It reminds me of various scenes from the movie.
Especially the snowy horse-drawn sleigh scene.
The sleigh used is also on display and can be touched.
Soba noodle shop in Soba noodle shop scene
I rode the horse bus, and the horses are cute.
The inside of the building was recreated in great detail.
Put it inside and enjoy all kinds of fun!# Chitatabu Journey pic.twitter.com/jtjOv2cXn6
▼ Historical Village of Hokkaido
Address: 50-1 Onohoro, Atsubetsu-cho, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Business hours: [May-September] 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (admission by 4:30 pm) * Open daily / [October-April] 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (admission by 4:00 pm) * Closed on Mondays (or the following day if the Monday is a national holiday or substitute holiday)
*Closed December 29th - January 3rd
Admission: 1,000 yen (Hokkaido residents/groups: 800 yen) * Free for junior high school students and younger and those 65 and older
Sapporo is full of sacred places for Golden Kamuy!
As you can see, there are many sacred sites of Golden Kamuy in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
If you have enough time for sightseeing, it will take you about 5 hours just to visit the Historical Village of Hokkaido alone.
We hope that you will enjoy your visit to the sacred sites and make your pilgrimage to the village a memorable one!