Hey! Welcome to Sapporo! Having a good time? As a local, let me hip you to a spot that I seriously think you should check out.
Look, everyone hits up Odori Park, right? Grab a beer, see the Snow Festival stuff, munch on some corn… it’s great, the heart of the city, no doubt. But Sapporo’s got more up its sleeve than just ground-level fun.
I’m talking about the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway.
Now, gotta be honest here: even a fair number of Sapporo locals probably haven’t been. Why? Well, for people in Hokkaido, when you say “sightseeing + night view,” everyone’s brain immediately goes to “Hakodate.” It’s been one of the “Top 3 Night Views in Japan” forever (along with Kobe and Nagasaki), and that image is strong. If you’re making the trip all the way down to Hakodate, yeah, you’re gonna see the night view, duh.
Mt. Moiwa, on the other hand, is right here in town. Sapporo’s pretty compact, so maybe it doesn’t feel like a big “sightseeing trip” to go up, and it kinda gets put on the back burner… you know?
But! That’s exactly why you should go. It’s close by, and trust me, when you get up there, you’ll be like, “Whoa!” Seriously. And personally, I don’t think the price is that bad for the view you get.
So, What Exactly is the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway? And How Do You Get There?
- What is it?: Basically, you take a ropeway (cable car) partway up Mt. Moiwa, southwest of the city center, then switch to this mini-cable car thing called the “Morris Car” (kinda cute name, right?) to get to the summit observatory. It’s a classic spot for Sapporo folks, even if some forget about it (haha).
- Getting There:
- Streetcar (Tram): This has the best vibe, honestly. Hop on and get off at “Ropeway Iriguchi” (Ropeway Entrance). It takes maybe 20-ish minutes from “Nishi 4-chome” station downtown.
- Free Shuttle Bus: Right near the “Ropeway Iriguchi” tram stop, there’s a free shuttle bus. It takes like 5 mins to the base station (“Moiwa Sanroku Station”). Honestly, this is probably the easiest way.
- Taxi: If you’ve got a group, just grabbing a cab straight to the base station is an option too.
- Rental Car: There’s parking at the base station, but it can get crowded, especially on weekend nights. Go for it if you’re comfortable driving here.
- Official Website (They have English!): Seriously, check this for the latest operating hours, shuttle times, etc. Things can change.
- https://mt-moiwa.jp/en/ (Here’s the link!)
What’s the Big Deal? Here’s the Fun Stuff & My Honest Take!
1. Riding the Ropeway & Morris Car
- The main ropeway ride from the bottom gives you that “whoa” moment as the city spreads out below. Pretty cool.
- Switching to the little “Morris Car” for the second leg feels like a mini-attraction itself, chugging through the trees. It’s quick, though (haha).
2. The Summit View! This is Why You Came!
- Daytime View: The night view gets all the hype, but on a nice weather day, the daytime view is seriously amazing! Highly recommend it. You get this massive panoramic view of Sapporo’s grid layout, the mountains surrounding the city… it’s just super refreshing. You really get a sense of Sapporo’s layout. It can get windy up there though, so even in summer, having an extra layer is smart.
- Night View (Yeah, Still the Main Event for Many!): Okay, it’s ranked as one of Japan’s “New Top 3 Night Views,” and no joke, it’s seriously beautiful. It’s different from Hakodate – more sprawling city lights, you can feel the life down there. Seeing the TV Tower and JR Tower all lit up is pretty cool. Compared to other super famous tourist spots globally, maybe its fame is just “pretty high,” but for a night out in Sapporo, I personally think it’s one of the absolute best spots. Definitely sets a mood if you’re on a date (haha). Just be warned, it gets crowded on weekend nights!
3. What Else is Up There?
- Bell of Happiness: Okay, yeah, it’s kinda cheesy, right? (Haha). But hey, you came all this way, might as well ring it! Good photo op. Plus, as we say in Japan, “Tabi no haji wa kakisute” – basically means “Embarrassing things you do while traveling don’t count!” (Or, “What happens in Vegas…” kinda vibe, haha).
- Restaurant “THE JEWELS”: Alright, full disclosure: I’ve actually never eaten here. Sorry! But looking at their website menu, it doesn’t seem like a total tourist trap rip-off for the location. The prices look kinda reasonable, considering the view? Sapporo has amazing food everywhere downtown, but if you want that special occasion vibe with the killer view, might be worth checking out!
- Souvenir Shop: This place is actually pretty decent! I remember going with my girlfriend once, and she was all “Oh, that’s cute! Look at this!” about the various character goods (like the aforementioned Morris mascot) and other souvenirs. It felt more pop and fun than just the standard, boring souvenir stuff you find at the train station. A good range of things!
Best Time to Go? What to Wear?
- Layer Up! Seriously!: It’s a mountain summit. It’s almost always colder up there than down in the city, no matter the season. Especially at night! Even in summer, bring a jacket.
- Seasons:
- Winter: Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of the cold, so it’s not my first choice (haha). But, the air is super clear, so the night view is probably the sharpest. If you’re willing to bundle up like crazy, go for it!
- Spring/Fall: Can be really nice, but it’s weather dependent. Fall colors are beautiful up there, though!
- Summer: If I had to pick, summer’s probably the best bet. Pleasant during the day, and the nights are relatively mild.
- Bottom Line: You can enjoy it anytime, but always be prepared for cooler temps up top!
Final Thoughts: Worth It for (Almost) Everyone!
So, that’s the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway lowdown from a local. It’s a different vibe from Hakodate, showing off Sapporo’s unique charm. And yeah, the daytime view is awesome too. Even if some locals skip it, trust me, once you go, you’ll be glad you did.
I think the price is fair, and honestly, it’s a great spot for a date. But it’s also totally fun to go with family or friends and just point things out from way up high.
Don’t just hang out in Odori Park! Make the trip up the mountain and see Sapporo from a whole new angle. You won’t regret it! Pretty sure you’ll be like, “Damn, glad I came!”
