Mission guide

Japan Sapporo Mission

The Japan Sapporo Mission serves in snowy Hokkaido, where Japanese language and deep Church history meet.

Japanese

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Japan Sapporo Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Japan Sapporo Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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Japan Sapporo Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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Japan Sapporo Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission and English

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Japanese on Heather Grey: “わたしはイエスを誇りとする”, ニーファイ第二書 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Japanese

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus minimal shirt in Japanese, white ink on Heavy Metal: “わたしはイエスを誇りとする”, ニーファイ第二書 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Minimal Shirt (White Ink) – Japanese

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Maroon: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong, in the languages of this mission and English

"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

Weak Things Become Strong shirt in Japanese on Heather Columbia Blue: “わたしは弱さを強さに変える”, エテル書 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – Japanese

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong shirt in English on Dark Heather Grey: “I make weak things become strong”, Ether 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – English

$29.00

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About the mission

The Japan Sapporo Mission is headquartered in Sapporo, the largest city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Missionaries serve among communities shaped by snowy winters, Japanese culture, and a long history of faith.

Japanese is the mission language. Missionaries and families can expect to use Japanese in daily life, Church meetings, and community settings.

At a glance

Country: Japan
Main city: Sapporo, 1,962,596 people (August 1, 2026)
Language: Japanese
Time zone: Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Climate: Humid continental, with warm summers and very snowy winters
Church in Japan: 131,776 members, 22 stakes, 230 congregations

A short history of the area

The area around Sapporo was originally home to Ainu settlements. Construction of a canal began in 1866, encouraging early settlers to establish Sapporo village. In 1868, the Meiji government chose the Ishikari Plain for a new Hokkaido capital, and that year is celebrated as Sapporo's birth. The Hokkaido Development Commission headquarters was established there in 1869.

Sapporo became an official city in 1922. It hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics held in Asia. Today, it is the largest city in Hokkaido and the largest city north of Tokyo.

The Church here

1901The Church first sent missionaries to Japan.
1905LDS missionaries first arrived in Sapporo.
1924Political tension closed the Japan Mission.
1948Missionaries returned to Hokkaido after World War II.
1955The Japanese Mission was divided to form the Northern Far East and Southern Far East missions.
1968The renamed Japan Mission was organized with Walter R. Bills as president.
1970The Japan East Mission was organized and later became the Japan Sapporo Mission.
2011Japanese members helped distribute relief supplies and repair damage after the East Japan earthquake and tsunami.
2016The Sapporo Japan Temple was dedicated on August 21 by President Russell M. Nelson.