北海道
Hokkaido
北海道 · ほっかいどう
Prefecture
Hokkaido
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Northern Sea Road"
True Etymology
Named in 1869 by explorer Matsuura Takeshiro. He chose 'Hokkaido' (Northern Sea Circuit) inspired by the ancient provincial circuit system, replacing the Ainu name 'Ezo.' The 'kaido' (道) reflects the Edo-period road/circuit naming tradition.
Alternative Theory
Matsuura proposed six candidate names; 'Hokkaido' was selected partly to mirror 'Tokaido' and other classic circuits, giving the new territory historical legitimacy.
Key Facts
| Capital | Sapporo |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokkaido |
| Reading | ほっかいどう |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Matsumae Domain |
| Domain Lords | Matsumae clan (松前氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |