Where It's Located
The Sapporo Japan Temple is located at:
1-6-1 Oyachi-Nishi
Atsubetsu-ku
Sapporo, Hokkaido 004-0042, Japan
The temple sits alongside the Atsubetsu River, adjacent to Hokusei Gakuen University.
One of the area's distinctive landmarks is the pedestrian Rainbow Bridge, which crosses the river along the northern edge of the temple property.
The property was formerly occupied by the Shin Sapporo Golf Center.
Getting There
Sapporo is the largest city on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost major island.
The temple has convenient access from the Hokkaido Expressway and Ooyachi Subway Station, making it relatively accessible despite being outside central Sapporo.
International travelers will generally arrive through New Chitose Airport, the primary airport serving the Sapporo region, before continuing into the city.
A Bit of History
The story of the Church in Sapporo goes back much further than the temple.
Missionaries first arrived in Sapporo in 1905.
The mission eventually closed in 1924, leaving only a small number of members behind. When the mission reopened in 1948, missionaries returned to Hokkaido and the Church began growing again.
For decades, local members hoped that a temple would eventually be built on Hokkaido.
That hope finally became reality in 2009.
An Early Prophecy About Japanese Temples
The history of the Sapporo Temple is connected to an early prophecy concerning temples in Japan.
On July 17, 1949, Elder Matthew Cowley participated in dedicatory services for the old Tokyo mission home.
During the dedicatory prayer, he spoke of a future in which there would be many Church buildings and temples in Japan.
More than 60 years later, the Sapporo Temple became part of that fulfillment.
Temple Announcement
President Thomas S. Monson announced the Sapporo Japan Temple on October 3, 2009, during the Saturday morning session of the 179th Semiannual General Conference.
The announcement was met with tremendous excitement among Latter-day Saints in Hokkaido.
President Hiroyuki Domon of the Sapporo Japan West Stake described the temple as a dream and mission that local members had prepared for over many years.
For members on Japan's northern island, the announcement represented the culmination of generations of hope.
Temple Site
The temple site was officially announced on May 2, 2010.
The Church selected a large parcel of land along the Atsubetsu River, next to Hokusei Gakuen University.
The property covers approximately 9.8 acres (4 hectares).
Its location was particularly well suited for a temple because of its combination of natural scenery, transportation access, and proximity to the city.
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking and site dedication took place on October 22, 2011.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson, then president of the Asia North Area, presided over the ceremony.
The weather was anything but cooperative.
Rain and wind swept through the ceremony, with umbrellas, tents, and raincoats becoming necessary.
Yet Elder Stevenson noted that although everything was wet, the spirit of the Saints was not dampened.
A Former Prime Minister at the Groundbreaking
One of the more unusual aspects of the groundbreaking was the presence of Yukio Hatoyama, a former prime minister of Japan.
Hatoyama attended as a special guest and participated in the ceremonial turning of the ground.
He specifically recognized the Church and its members for their humanitarian service following the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
His presence demonstrated the broader community's recognition of the Church's service efforts in Japan.
Construction and Open House
Construction continued for several years before the temple was completed.
A public open house gave local residents an opportunity to see the interior before the temple was dedicated.
More than 13,000 guests toured the temple during the open-house period.
The open house introduced the temple's architecture, artwork, and religious purpose to people throughout Hokkaido.
Cultural Celebration
A special cultural celebration was held on August 20, 2016, immediately before the dedication.
Youth from throughout the area participated in a celebration highlighting both Japanese history and the history of the Church in Japan.
The event helped connect the temple to the cultural heritage of Hokkaido and Japan.
Dedication
President Russell M. Nelson, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the Sapporo Japan Temple on August 21, 2016.
The dedication was conducted in three sessions, with the proceedings broadcast to meetinghouses throughout Japan.
The temple became the 151st dedicated temple in operation.
A Temple for Hokkaido
The Sapporo Temple was the third temple built in Japan, following:
- Tokyo Japan Temple — 1980
- Fukuoka Japan Temple — 2000
- Sapporo Japan Temple — 2016
It was also the eighth temple built on the continent of Asia.
Its construction brought temple worship to the northernmost major region of Japan.
Architecture
The Sapporo Japan Temple contains approximately 48,480 square feet (4,504 square meters) of floor space.
The temple rises approximately 127 feet (38.7 meters) and features a distinctive multi-spire design.
Its most recognizable architectural feature is a central spire surrounded by four lanterned spires, with an Angel Moroni statue crowning the temple.
Japanese Influence
The temple was intentionally designed to reflect the culture and natural environment of Japan.
The exterior uses granite that was quarried and carved in China, featuring a distinctive sea-wave motif.
The design incorporates patterns and landscaping associated with Hokkaido.
The result is a temple that feels particularly connected to its Japanese setting rather than simply reproducing a generic temple design.
Art Glass and the Lilac Flower
One of the temple's most interesting design elements is its art glass.
The principal field of art glass is frosted and decorated with geometric patterns.
The interlocking circular design at the top and bottom forms a shape representing a lilac flower, an important symbol associated with Sapporo.
This provides a subtle connection between the temple and the city surrounding it.
Interior Design
The Japanese influence continues inside the temple.
The principal stone used for the flooring and base is marble from Israel, carved in China with a pattern based on the traditional Japanese tatami mat.
The celestial room and sealing room use marble from Egypt that was carved in Italy.
Interior millwork incorporates stained cherry wood and Japanese white birch.
Even the door hardware was made in Japan from polished bronze.
Temple Rooms
The Sapporo Japan Temple contains:
- Two instruction rooms
- Three sealing rooms
- One baptistry
The instruction rooms use a two-stage progressive arrangement.
The Temple Grounds
The temple's grounds are arguably just as distinctive as the building itself.
The landscaping incorporates:
- Trees and plants common to Hokkaido
- Large landscaping stones
- A pond
- A waterfall
- A pedestrian bridge
The combination creates a peaceful Japanese garden atmosphere around the temple.
A Complete Temple Complex
The Sapporo Temple anchors a larger Church complex.
Supporting facilities include:
- Arrival center
- Patron housing
- Temple missionary housing
- Residence and offices for the Japan Sapporo Mission
- Space reserved for a future meetinghouse
This makes the property more than simply a temple building.
Exploring Sapporo
Sapporo is one of Japan's most distinctive cities.
Unlike the densely packed urban environments of Tokyo and Osaka, Sapporo has wide streets, extensive parks, and a somewhat more spacious feel.
The city is particularly famous for:
- Sapporo Snow Festival
- Odori Park
- Sapporo Clock Tower
- Susukino
- Sapporo Beer
- Mount Moiwa
- Hokkaido University
Sapporo Snow Festival
If you visit during winter, the Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the biggest attractions in the city.
Massive snow and ice sculptures transform central Sapporo into an enormous winter exhibition.
The festival is especially fitting for a temple trip to Sapporo because Hokkaido's snowy climate is one of the defining characteristics of the region.
Hokkaido's Natural Beauty
Hokkaido is famous for its natural scenery.
Outside Sapporo, travelers can explore mountains, forests, lakes, national parks, hot springs, and rural landscapes.
The island is also famous for its wildlife and dramatically different seasons.
A trip to the Sapporo Temple can therefore be combined with an exploration of some of northern Japan's most beautiful landscapes.
Japanese Food in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is also famous for its food.
Sapporo is particularly well known for:
- Miso ramen
- Fresh seafood
- Crab
- Hokkaido dairy products
- Soup curry
- Jingisukan grilled lamb
The city's food culture provides another reason to spend several days in Sapporo rather than treating the temple as a quick stop.
Why the Sapporo Temple Matters
The Sapporo Japan Temple is important because it represents decades of hope among Latter-day Saints in Hokkaido.
Missionaries first arrived in the city in 1905, but it took more than a century before a temple was established there.
When the temple was finally announced in 2009, local members described it as the realization of a long-held dream.
The temple therefore represents not just another addition to the worldwide temple network but the culmination of generations of faith among Japanese Saints.
A Temple Designed for Its Location
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Sapporo Temple is how thoroughly its design incorporates its setting.
The sea-wave granite motif, lilac-inspired art glass, Hokkaido vegetation, tatami-inspired flooring, Japanese birch, cherry wood, and Japanese-made bronze hardware all connect the building to its surroundings.
Rather than simply placing a temple in Japan, the architects created a building that visually and culturally belongs in Japan.
Visiting the Temple
The Sapporo Japan Temple is an operating temple.
There is no visitors' center open to the public, but an arrival center, patron housing, and distribution center are available on the property.
The temple itself is reserved for Latter-day Saints who meet the requirements for temple worship.
Visitors can enjoy the surrounding grounds and appreciate the exterior architecture without entering the temple.
Travelers planning to attend should check the current operating schedule before making arrangements.
Final Thoughts
The Sapporo Japan Temple is one of the most distinctive temples in Asia.
Its story begins with missionaries arriving in Sapporo in 1905, followed by decades of Church growth and generations of local members hoping that a temple would eventually come to Hokkaido.
President Thomas S. Monson announced the temple on October 3, 2009, the site was announced in 2010, and groundbreaking took place on October 22, 2011.
After years of construction, the temple opened to the public in 2016, with more than 13,000 people touring the building. President Russell M. Nelson dedicated it on August 21, 2016.
The 48,480-square-foot temple features a central spire surrounded by four lanterned spires, granite decorated with a sea-wave motif, lilac-inspired art glass, and extensive Japanese-inspired landscaping.
Its grounds—with a pond, waterfall, pedestrian bridge, landscaping stones, and plants native to Hokkaido—make the property particularly beautiful.
For Latter-day Saint travelers from the United States, a trip to the Sapporo Japan Temple could combine temple worship, Japanese architecture, Hokkaido's natural beauty, incredible seafood and ramen, the Sapporo Snow Festival, Japanese culture, and the unique experience of visiting Japan's northern island.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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