1-Day Tour in Sapporo: Mt. Maruyama Hike & Okurayama Ski Jump

Available all year but perhaps best enjoyed in spring or summer, this hiking tour will take you out of the hustle and bustle of the city and up to some of the nicest views to be seen in Sapporo. Led by an English-speaking guide, you will be accompanied up and back down two mountains - Mt. Maruyama & Mt. Okurayama.

Highlights

• Enjoy a 2.5 km hike up Mt. Maruyama under the protective eye of an English-speaking guide
• Visit the prestigious Okurayama Ski Jump Facility and the attached Sapporo Olympic Museum
• Ride the chairlifts to the observation deck of Okurayama Ski Jump
• Take in breathtaking sights of the entirety of Sapporo from the tops of two different mountains

Description

This tour will start at Sapporo Station in front of “Myomu” (The Circular Stone Structure) in front of the South Exit doors of Sapporo Station. Kindly meet here at exactly 8:00 a.m. Your guide will be there to greet you. As this is a group tour, it is very important that each guest arrive exactly on time; preferably a little earlier. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our journey first heading to Mt. Maruyama for our morning hike.

We will start our day tour with a hike to the summit of Mt. Maruyama, located within the confines of Maruyama Park in Sapporo. This is a popular and easily accessible hiking destination with both locals and tourists alike. 

Specifically, our hike will start at the Buddhist Hall called “Maruyama hachi ju hachi kashodai shido” in Japanese. This is the entrance to the trail, where you will be able to see 88 statues of “kannon” the Buddhist “goddess of mercy” on your way up Mt. Maruyama. 

The mountain is 225 meters (738 feet) tall, making it an excellent choice for a short but rewarding hike with scenic views, diverse flora and fauna, and a bit of history. Here’s a very brief breakdown of the hiking experience of what to expect as we ascend to the summit of Mt. Maruyama.

• The hike will be about a 2.5 km round trip and taking about 40-60 minutes one way, depending on our pace. 
• This hike is considered easy to moderate and is great for beginners, families, and casual hikers. 
• The trails will consist of dirt paths, wooden steps, and some rocky sections. 
• Elevation gain is approx 160 meters. 
• Elevation of 225 meters (738 feet) above sea level.

Hikers will enjoy nature at its finest during this hike. The trial passes through an old-growth primeval forest with broadleaf and coniferous trees, creating a shaded, peaceful hiking experience.

As we ascend to the summit, you may spot squirrels, woodpeckers, foxes, and even small deer.  Birds of various kinds as well (for you bird watchers/lovers). 

The hike up Mt. Maruyama is available all season. However, June-July is considered the best time of the year for the hike, because the weather is cool and comfortable but not too cold. A spring hike brings cherry blossoms along with fresh greenery. Autumn provides stunning fall colors. Finally, a winter hike offers snow-covered landscapes with a peaceful, serene atmosphere. (Note: this hike will require more time to reach the summit during the winter season). 

We will start our hike up Mt. Maruyama in the morning hours (just after 9 a.m.) The tour itself starts at 8 a.m. Early morning hikes offer fewer crowds and provides great lighting for photography as we ascend to the summit.

What can you expect when reaching the summit of Mt. Maruyama? While the summit is surrounded by trees, there are spots along the trail and near the top where you can catch glimpses of Sapporo city, especially in late autumn or early spring when foliage is sparse.

From the top of Mt. Maruyama, you will get a beautiful panoramic view of the city and its distant surroundings. A sweeping view of downtown Sapporo (including all well-known landmarks), Ishikari Bay beyond the city landscape, and distant mountain ranges if the weather is clear. 

By about 12:00 we will be back at the base entrance of the hiking trial and will have concluded our hike. Then, we will walk to a nearby location where we will relax our weary legs, knees, and feet and enjoy lunch and re-charge.

Okurayama Ski Jump & Winter Olympic Museum

After lunch we will embark on the second stage of this tour. We will go to the Okurayama Ski Jump Facility and visit the Sapporo Olympic Museum and learn about the 1972 Winter Olympics held in Sapporo, Japan. The first Winter Games held in Asia!

Sapporo Winter Olympic Museum.  Situated at the base of the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, the Sapporo Olympic Museum provides insights into the 1972 Winter Olympics and the evolution of winter sports in Hokkaido. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and multimedia displays that celebrate the region's athletic heritage.

This museum is dedicated to showcasing the archives and events during the winter Olympics were held in Sapporo in 1972. Here in this museum, you can try out simulations such as the ski jump and speed skating simulation while being right next to Okurayama Ski Stadium, where some of the events of the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. This museum displays a vast collection of winter sport-related activities as well as some history about the winter Olympic Games. This is great place to go with the entire family because it combines history and the fun of winter sports all into one place! Highly recommended for all guests whether traveling solo or with families.  After leaving Sapporo Olympic Museum we will walk over to the adjacent Okurayama Ski Jump.

Okurayama Ski Jump. The Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium is a famous ski jumping hill in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It was originally built for the 1972 Winter Olympics, where it hosted the 90-meter ski jump event (now categorized as the large hill). Today, it remains an active competition venue and training ground for elite ski jumpers, as well as a popular tourist destination.

The Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, located in Sapporo's Chūō-ku district, is a prominent ski jumping venue with a rich history. Constructed in 1931 by Kishichiro Okura, the stadium has undergone several renovations to meet international standards. It gained global recognition during the 1972 Winter Olympics, serving as the site for the large hill ski jumping events. Even today, (every winter) Okurayama Ski Jump, is the home to worldwide ski jump competitions.

The ski jump has a hill size of 137 meters and a k-point of 123 meters. The jump platform is located on Mount Okura, which has an elevation of about 307 meters (1,007 feet) above sea level. We will ride the chairlifts to the observation deck of Okurayama Ski Jump. This 5-7 minute chairlift ride offers a thrilling experience, passing close to the steep approach and takeoff points, and unfolding panoramic views of Sapporo.

The Observation Deck is located at 307 meters above sea level.  At the top you will get a breathtaking view of Sapporo and will visibly be able to understand what ski jumpers see and experience just before they take off. The top of Okurayama Ski Jump is a great spot for photography, offering panoramic views of Sapporo. We will spend about an hour at the observation deck and guests can enjoy the views of Sapporo. Within the observation deck is a “cafe” which offers refreshments such as soft drinks, coffee and soft serve ice cream.

After enjoying these breathtaking views, we will then take the chairlifts down to the base of Okurayama Ski Jump and head to the bus area and make our way back to Sapporo Station.

*Please note - all listed times are estimates of the expected itinerary and can be affected by weather and traffic conditions and peak busy periods.

Meetup Point

This tour will start at Sapporo Station in front of “Myomu” (The Circular Stone Structure) in front of the South Exit doors of Sapporo Station. Kindly meet here at exactly 8:00 a.m. Your guide will be there to greet you. As this is a group tour, it is very important that each guest arrive exactly on time; preferably a little earlier. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our journey first heading to Mt. Maruyama for our morning hike.

Sapporo Station @ 08:00

After exiting the main JR gates of Sapporo Station TURN LEFT. Walk towards the South Exits (南出口) of Sapporo Station.  After a very short walk (in the near distance) you will surely notice “MYOMU” (The Circular White Stone Structure/see above picture). Your guide will be standing in front of this white stone structure holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. You are kindly asked to be at this meetup point at 8:00 A.M. The tour will need to depart on-time.

Notes

Included

• Transportation fee from Sapporo Sta. to all tour destinations and then back to Sapporo Sta. 
• Admission Fees for the Olympic Winter Museum and Okurayama Ski Liftchair tickets
• English-speaking guide

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Any type of transportation costs other than prescribed for this tour. 
• Food & Drink & any snacks
• Any hiking gear (footwear, clothing and equipment). Responsibility of each guest. 
• Insect repellent or any other health care item needed for the hiking aspect of the tour.

Other Information

• Clothes worn should be appropriate for the given season. 
• Guests are kindly asked to be at the meet up point on time (8 a.m.) so that we can start the itinerary on time without delay. 
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes, as some sections of the hike will be rocky. 
• Bring bottled mineral water to keep hydrated for the hike. 
• Bring a very light snack to be eaten during the hike. 
• Winter hikes will require crampons or spikes. 
• Always be aware of sudden encounters with wildlife (foxes, squirrels, deer, etc.). 
• Stay close to the hiking group members and tour guide. Avoid loud noises.
• If at anytime during the hike the guest feels unwell, notify the tour guide immediately.
• The tour application deadline is 1 day before the tour date at 17:00.