Kita (北区; -ku, lit. "north ward") is a ward of Sapporo composed of residential neighborhoods mostly arranged in grid patterns, and all built surrounding a train station, broken up by areas of farmland and some light-industrial areas. The southern edge of Kita-ku is more built up, and is pretty much a continuation of Chuo-ku (downtown Sapporo)
Kita-ku is subject to a colder, windier climate than the rest of Sapporo, and as one rides the JR line through towards Ainosato (the north-easternmost part of Sapporo) in winter, one can watch the intensity of the snows increase.
The Ishikari river runs through and borders the northern part of Kita-ku. It is served by Japan Railway, and the local bus system. Its terrain is very flat, so in the summer the entire area is also very nice for cycling.
Kita-ku is located in the northern part of Sapporo. With 260,000 people, it is the most populated ward (ku) in Sapporo.
Area:63.48 square km
Population: 268604 (1/1/2004)
Kita-ku Ward Office:
Sapporo-shi Kita-ku,
24 Jo Nishi 6 Chome
001-8612
Phone: 011 7575 2400 (prefix with whatever code is necessary for dialing Japan from your country)
