Sapporo Underground Pedestrian Space

Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Pedestrian Space is an urban planning road (pedestrian-only passage) located directly beneath Sapporo Ekimae-dori. It is affectionately known by locals as "Chi-Ka-Ho." This underground corridor connects JR Sapporo Station to Susukino Station on the Subway Namboku Line, forming a continuous 1.9 km route and is known as the longest underground passage in Japan in terms of straight-line distance. The passage is designed to connect with buildings along the route underground, so you can enjoy the city seamlessly above and below ground. It is fully barrier-free, making it easy for everyone—from seniors to children—to walk comfortably. The space also includes relaxation areas and event plazas, and to keep it brighter than typical underground passages, skylights were installed in parts of the ceiling so it feels closer to being above ground. Architectural design points include the "500m Museum" and the fact that it received the Good Design Award in fiscal year 2012. Completed in 2011 (Heisei 23), Chi-Ka-Ho successfully achieved its initial goal of reorganizing pedestrian flow by absorbing a significant portion of foot traffic from Sapporo Ekimae-dori. In a city like Sapporo, where snow covers the ground for roughly half the year, it thrives as an essential pedestrian route for residents. Access is straightforward—go down to the underground area immediately from the JR Sapporo Station West Ticket Gate.