Hi everyone! I’m someone who was born and raised, and has lived in Sapporo for a full 40 years now. Thank you so much for considering traveling all the way here to Hokkaido, and specifically Sapporo! It makes me really happy!
If you’re coming all this way, the classic tourist spots are great, sure, but there’s a place only a local would know… or rather, a place that as a local, I can wholeheartedly say, “This place is seriously amazing!” That place is Moerenuma Park.
To be honest with you, it’s a bit far from the city center (like Sapporo Station or Susukino), and access might feel a little troublesome, requiring a subway and bus transfer, or taking a taxi. But believe me, it’s worth the effort – actually, it’s absolutely worth making the effort to go, especially if you like art.
When I first came here, I just thought it was a big park. But now that I know the design concept of Isamu Noguchi (Isamu Noguchi – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) to “sculpt the land and carve the earth,” I feel a deep sense of awe as I get older, just by the fact that humans can hold such thoughts and ideas and create a park like this.
So, if you love nature, love experiencing art, and most of all, want to “feel the very air of the place with your whole body,” then please, trust me and go to Moerenuma Park. I’m sure it will become one of the unforgettable places from your Sapporo trip.
In this article, I’m going to share all the points about Moerenuma Park that I’ve come to love over my 40 years living in Sapporo.
What Exactly is Moerenuma Park? (From a Local’s View)
Moerenuma Park is a super-spacious park located in the northeastern part of Sapporo. Originally, it was a site used for garbage disposal and the like, but it was designed by the world-renowned sculptor, Isamu Noguchi, and reborn as a magnificent art space.
It became the last project he worked on, and the concept of making “the entire park a single sculpture” is truly incredible. There are playground facilities and things you’d find in a normal park, but they are all designed to blend into the surrounding landscape and the overall design.
So, as you walk through the park, it feels like you’re inside a giant museum, but at the same time, you get this mysterious sensation of being within Hokkaido’s grand nature. Many people seem to feel this way. I don’t have much of an art background myself, but I do get the feeling that the grand nature and structures are harmonizing in this open space. A park created on this scale artificially, with such an “open and artistic feel,” is rare in Sapporo and Hokkaido. In that sense, it’s a unique and interesting place.
Why Do I Recommend It for International Tourists?
There are several reasons, but broadly speaking, I’d say three.
- A One-of-a-Kind Art Experience: There aren’t many places in the world where you can experience a space filled with the philosophy of Isamu Noguchi. In particular, this vast scale where his world view is expressed is probably only found here at Moerenuma Park. Seeing it in photos is completely different from actually standing in the space – the emotional impact is much greater.
- Integrated with Hokkaido’s Grand Nature: Just a little distance from the city center, you can come to a place where the sky is so wide, and it’s full of greenery (white in winter!). It’s not just nature; it’s artificial, well-maintained nature. While it’s an art piece, it blends into the surrounding nature, and you can experience Hokkaido’s scenery throughout the seasons to the fullest in this richly harmonized green space of nature and artificial elements. It’s also incredibly relaxing!
- More Than Just Instagrammable – Scenery That Stays With You: Everywhere you look is a picture. Of course, photos for Instagram or social media are lovely, but more than that, you’ll encounter impressive scenery that will be burned into your memory and that you’ll suddenly recall even after returning home.
My Recommendation! How to Explore & Highlights of Moerenuma Park
The park is truly vast, so it would take a full day, maybe even more, to see everything thoroughly. But if you’re short on time, here are the spots I definitely think you should see!
Gotta See It! The Park’s Symbol, “Moereyama”
When you come to Moerenuma Park, this is probably the first thing you’ll look up at. It’s a 62m high artificial mountain, the tallest in the park. From a distance, it looks just like a real mountain, but as you get closer, you’ll be surprised by its geometric shape.
It’s a bit of a climb, but climbing to the summit is my number one recommendation at Moerenuma Park! The view from the top is truly magnificent. You can see the whole park, of course, as well as the cityscape of Sapporo and even distant mountains. Especially on a clear day, the view under that wide, clear blue sky is just incredible.
Summer is the best! You can easily feel refreshed and it’s a great way to clear your head. It might make you a little tired though, haha. Don’t climb it in winter! Seriously, stop it, it’s freezing! Plus, it’s covered in snow and dangerous.
The Crystal in the Center of the Park: “Glass Pyramid ‘HIDA'”
Another face of Moerenuma Park is this glass pyramid. It looks like a base from a sci-fi movie, and it’s incredibly cool. Inside, there’s a space to rest, an Isamu Noguchi gallery, a restaurant, and a shop.
On cold winter days or overly hot summer days, it’s really nice to take a break here. The view of the outside from inside, through the glass, is also lovely with a different atmosphere. I particularly love looking out when it’s snowing from the warmth of the pyramid. For detailed information about the Glass Pyramid, please check here (Moerenuma Park – English).
Eating soft cream at the shop inside the Glass Pyramid is delicious! I still remember going to eat it with my uncle when he visited Sapporo about 10 years ago. Soft cream after walking around the vast park is just exceptional.
Dynamic Summer Performance: “Sea Fountain”
You can only see this during the summer, but it’s a large fountain with a diameter of 48m. At scheduled times, the water dramatically shoots up along with music. When it goes highest, it can reach an amazing 25m!
Watching it makes me feel somehow purified, it’s really refreshing. Especially the fountain lit up at night is magical and has a different kind of charm. The operating times are set, so if you want to see it, it’s best to check in advance. You can check the information and operating times for the Sea Fountain here (Please translate with your browser). This is information as of the time of article creation (April 2025) and is just a guideline. Please be sure to check the latest operating times and periods yourself on the official website, etc.
Go Back to Your Inner Child: “Play Mountain”
This is a smaller mountain than Moereyama, shaped like a pyramid. It’s easier to climb, and you often see children running up it or rolling down. For adults, it’s just the right height for a short rest at the top. Unlike Moereyama, it has a sharper, more art-like shape. I think it’s great for visiting with kids on a sunny day. What’s more, ” Satoland ” nearby is also a spot kids absolutely love.
Spring Enjoyment: “Forest of Cherry Trees”
In spring, a corner of the park called the “Forest of Cherry Trees” turns pink. The sight of about 2300 cherry trees blooming all at once is stunning! Locals love spreading out a picnic sheet here to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. There are benches and tables too, so if you come in spring, I definitely recommend relaxing here and enjoying a picnic.
Other Highlights
There are also other areas like “Moere Beach,” an artificial beach where you can play in the water in summer (super popular with kids!), various large and small fountains, sculptures, and vast lawn areas, so you won’t get bored even if you stay all day. There are also rental bicycles available, so cycling through the vast park is also a great way to feel the breeze.
Accessing Moerenuma Park (Including a Local’s Perspective)
From the center of Sapporo (Sapporo Station or Susukino), you can’t get there by train alone, so you’ll either need to take a bus or a taxi.
- If going by bus:
- The most common route is probably taking the Toho Subway Line to “Kanjodori-Higashi Station” and then transferring to a bus (Route East 69 or East 79). Get off at the “Moerenuma Park East Entrance” or “Moerenuma Park” bus stop and you’re right there. Transferring from the subway to the bus is relatively smooth.
- Including waiting time for the bus, it’s probably safest to allow about 1 hour to 1.5 hours from Sapporo Station to the park.
- This is information as of the time of article creation (April 2025) and is just a guideline. Please be sure to check the latest timetables, fares, and operating information yourself on official websites, etc. You should check the official website of the bus company (like Hokkaido Chuo Bus) or Sapporo City’s transportation information sites. If possible, try to find an English page on the official website.
- If going by taxi:
- Taking a taxi directly from Sapporo Station will take about 30 minutes and costs around 4,000 yen, depending on the time of day. If you’re with friends or have a lot of luggage, a taxi is convenient.
- You can also take a taxi from “Kanjodori-Higashi Station.” That would take about 20 minutes and probably costs around 3,000 yen. Combining the subway and taxi is also an option.
- This is an estimate as of the time of article creation (April 2025). Fares will vary depending on traffic, time of day, and taxi company. Please treat this only as a reference. Please be sure to check yourself.
Admission Fees and Facility Usage Fees?
- Park Admission Fee: This is actually free! You can enter freely at any time and enjoy the entire park.
- Paid Facilities: Of course, the restaurant and shops inside the Glass Pyramid, and things like bicycle rentals, are paid.
When is the Best Time to Visit? Seasonal Charm & Crowd Information?
Honestly, Moerenuma Park has something good about it no matter when you visit throughout the year. But personally, I think the period from spring to autumn is when the park’s charm is easiest to appreciate.
- Spring (Late April – May): The snow is melting, and greenery is slowly returning. The late-blooming cherry blossoms (Yaezakura are famous) start to bloom, and it’s incredibly beautiful! Since there’s no snow, it’s easy to walk around, and it’s a time you can enjoy slowly without too many people.
- Summer (June – August): This is the time when the greenery is most vibrant, the fountains are operating, and Moere Beach is open – a lively period! It feels amazing to spend time outdoors! However, it gets quite crowded on weekends and during the summer holidays, especially around the fountains which are full of kids! Weekday mornings or late afternoons are relatively less crowded. The sun is strong, so a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen might be good to have. It’s quite an open space, so there aren’t many places to hide from the sun.
- Autumn (September – October): The trees change color, and the whole park becomes colorful and beautiful. The autumn leaves on Moereyama are particularly lovely. The weather is pleasant, making it a perfect time for a stroll. It’s less crowded than the summer peak, but the best weekends for autumn leaves still get busy.
- Winter (November – March): The entire park is covered in snow, becoming a magical world of white. It’s a completely different, quiet and majestic atmosphere from summer, it seems. The fountains stop in winter, but it seems you can enjoy cross-country skiing and sledding on groomed courses (rentals are apparently available!), though I haven’t actually done them myself. Honestly, unless you want to do winter activities like cross-country skiing or sledding, I wouldn’t really recommend visiting in winter… I seem to remember it was hard to get into the deeper parts because of the deep snow. I really think spring to autumn is the best time to go.
[Crowd Summary] The most crowded times are, as you might expect, weekends and the Obon holidays during the summer vacation period. Also, weekends and holidays during the peak cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons tend to be busy. Relatively less crowded times are weekdays in summer, weekdays in spring and autumn, and generally during the winter months.
What About Food? How Locals Enjoy It
There’s a restaurant and cafe inside the Glass Pyramid within the park, but my number one recommendation is… to bring your own bento box, sandwiches, drinks, etc., and enjoy a picnic anywhere you like in the park!
Lying down on the wide lawn, sitting on a bench in the Forest of Cherry Trees, or eating while gazing at the view from the slopes of Moereyama… This is truly the most comfortable thing to do. Buying delicious side dishes, bread, or Hokkaido-specific ingredients from department store basements or supermarkets near Sapporo Station and eating them in the park is how we locals classically enjoy it. I definitely want you to try it too!
What I Think Moerenuma Park Is All About
I’ve talked a lot, but what Moerenuma Park is all about for me, is something like… it’s a nice park that isn’t overly pretentious, but is large-scale and comfortable to spend time in.
Honestly, I mostly see families pitching small tents or playing catch and relaxing. For young, energetic Japanese couples, visiting once might be enough, and they might not come back for dates very often. But for couples visiting from overseas, it’s different; it has a certain charm, and I think they might find this kind of artificial yet open park interesting. I also went with a relative once when they visited Sapporo, and I think it’s a good place to come to relax with family or relatives.
Climbing Moereyama to see the city is good. Seeing the fountain is good. Appreciating the art pieces closely is good. But you know, the time spent just lying down on the wide lawn, looking up at the sky. The time feeling the wind on your skin while listening to the birdsong. That, to me, is the most comfortable thing.
Lastly
Thank you for reading this far! I hope I managed to convey my love for Moerenuma Park at least a little?
Sapporo has lots of delicious food, and there are plenty of other wonderful places, but Moerenuma Park is a little different, but it’s a really good place. You can feel the vastness of the sky, the largeness of the land of Sapporo, or rather, Hokkaido, while encountering wonderful art. I don’t think there are many other places like that.
I hope your stay in Sapporo will be a wonderful one. And if you do get a chance to visit Moerenuma Park, I hope you find your own way to enjoy it!
See you later!
