Trip to Sapporo: Day 14 - Sweden Hills, a Villaförort in Japan

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Midsummer images from Kameratrollet.

This is more "Swedish" than we see in most of Sweden…

Swedes are in general rather "bad" at establishing enclaves abroad like you often see other nationalities do when a reasonable number happens to emigrate to the same country, city or area. Therefore it was of course rather fun to read that there seemed to be such a thing here in Hokkaido - Sweden Hills (although, to be honest, it should rather have been named "Svenska Bergen"…).

Some quick research proved to rather confirm than dispute my initial statement, as this residential area in some wood-covered hills outside Tobetsu northeast of Sapporo is a Japanese initiative and the residents are quite japanese beyond the obvious Swedish theme. It was inspired though by a visit of the swedish ambassador who thought the nature in the area looked like back home, and I can absolutely agree with that. In 1984 the first house was built.
To get there is easiest to do by car, which I don't have, so I instead thought it was an excellent idea to walk in a semi-snow-storm…
Goofle Maps suggested that I go with train to the Ishikaritobetsu station and then walk 5 km mostly west to Sweden Hills, which was what I did (after starting up with going 500 m in the completely wrong direction, haha). In hindsight, it is nicer and easier to reach the area by getting of at the Ishikarifutomi station, because from there starts the Sweden street which goes straight up to Sweden hills, and along the way there are small stuff that has Swedish connections.
As I reached this area at the end, I was quite soaked and tired and wanting to protect my camera phone from more snow so I will cheat somewhat and show Google street view (i.e. summer pics):

The railway station at Ishikarifutomi is in itself a homage to Swedish culture.

A bridge with a Swedish "Dalahäst"

Ond of course the cliché version of the Viking helmet

So, what did it look like now in full winter? Well, lets see:

This is the more humble approach to Sweden Hills, from the east.

The first thing you notice is that there isn't all this airborne cables and wires, instead they are below ground, like in Sweden.

And the houses was impressively Swedish looking

But to be honest, we never have this much snow in most of Sweden… ;-)

Beyond a few exceptions like this house with bricks (spot on 70s Swedish style), the combination of all the snow and the extremely high frequency red houses with white corners, made me think of Sweden Hills like somewhat of a luxurious skiing resort in the Swedish mountains, with the only thing missing a couple of skiing slopes.

All-in-all, Sweden Hills seemed like a rather successful go at recreating the Swedish "Villaförort" i.e. suburban housing.

In comparison with Sweden, here they use some serious (10+) manpower to clear the tracks...

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