Seikatei

A refined structure, which combines Japanese and Western elements and
was built 130 years ago in the Meiji era to receive noble guests

Seikatei was built in 1880 as a resting place for the Meiji Emperor. Hoheikan in Nakajima Park was built as a hotel around the same time. While other notable architectural works from the days of the Hokkaido Development Commission, such as the Clock Tower and Hoheikan have been moved, Seikatei remains at its original site. The building has a Western appearance overall, but incorporates Japanese forms in numerous details in a way that still feels fresh today. Although the building was once sold to private owners, citizen volunteers made donations for Sapporo to buy it back for preservation. It is a registered tangible cultural property, but open for public viewing.