Okurayama Observatory

What to know

The 90-meter ski jump competitions of the 1972 Winter Olympics were held at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium (大倉山ジャンプ競技場, Ōkurayama Janppu Kyōgijō). Today, when the stadium is not hosting World Cup or other ski jump events, visitors can take a chairlift up to the Okurayama Observatory at the top of the hill for stunning panoramic views of Sapporo.

At the base of the jump hill, the Sapporo Olympic Museum showcases exhibits on the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics and winter sports in general, including ski jumping, bobsled, and biathlon. The museum also features fun sport simulation games covering events like ski jumping, speed skating, and hockey. These games can be played at no extra cost beyond the museum entrance fee.

Take the Tozai Subway Line to Maruyama Koen Station (5 minutes, 210 yen, frequent departures from Odori Station). From there, hourly JR buses go directly to the ski jump (Ōkurayama Janppu Kyōgijō bus stop, 大倉山ジャンプ競技場), while several other buses stop at Sapporo Seishin Jōshi Gakuin bus stop (札幌聖心女子学院) or Ōkurayama Janppu Kyōgijō Iriguchi bus stop (大倉山ジャンプ競技場入口), from where it is a ten-minute uphill walk to the ski jump. In both cases, the bus ride takes about ten minutes and costs 240 yen one way. JR buses are covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass.

A taxi ride from Sapporo Station to the ski jump takes about 20 minutes and costs around 2500-3000 yen.