Moerenuma Park

What to know

Moerenuma Park (Moerenuma Kōen) is a sprawling park on the outskirts of Sapporo, encircled by marshland with a circumference of about four kilometers. Its expansive green spaces are dotted with massive, dramatic features that make it a truly unique public space.

The park's bold design is the work of renowned Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Born in the United States, Noguchi spent much of his professional life in Japan and maintained a studio in Takamatsu. In 1988, Sapporo commissioned Noguchi to create a park on a former landfill site. Although Noguchi passed away shortly after completing the plans, his vision was realized, and the park opened to the public in 2005.

The park is filled with impressive man-made structures that offer a unique experience. Mount Moere, a 62-meter-tall artificial hill built for the park, provides panoramic views of the park and surrounding area. Play Mountain, at 30 meters, is smaller but features a gentle path leading to its summit. The glass pyramid building, Hidamari, houses an information center, an atrium, basic facilities, and a gallery dedicated to Noguchi.

In the eastern forest area, creative playgrounds are designed for children. A Sea Fountain in the center of the park shoots water 25 meters into the air during daily shows from late April to mid October (2-4 shows per day, lasting 15 or 40 minutes). Moere Beach, an artificial bathing area, is open from mid June to early September (10:00 to 16:00, closed Thursdays). Rental bicycles are available from late April to early November from 200 yen for 2 hours.

To reach Moerenuma Park by public transport, take the Toho Subway Line to Kanjodori-higashi Station, then catch bus number 東69 or 東79 to the park's east entrance (Moerenuma Koen Higashi-guchi, 25 minutes, 240 yen, usually 2 buses per hour). Note that the east entrance is the only one open year-round; the west and south entrances are closed from mid November to mid April.

The park is also accessible by taxi from downtown Sapporo (around JR Sapporo Station and Odori Park, about 30-40 minutes, around 4000 yen) or from the nearest subway station, Sakaemachi Station on the Toho Subway Line (about 20 minutes, around 250 yen).