Kita-ku (北区, lit. "north ward") is a ward of Sapporo composed of residential neighborhoods mostly arranged in grid patterns, and each built surrounding a train station, broken up by areas of farmland and some light-industrial areas. With 260,000 people, it is the most populated ward (ku) in Sapporo.
Geography
Kita-ku is located in the northern part of Sapporo. The southern end of the word is more built up, essentially a continuation of the adjoining Chūō-ku ("central ward," downtown Sapporo). Ishikari River runs through and borders the northern part of Kita-ku.
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.
