Sapporo: Mt. Maruyama Hike & Okurayama Ski Jump

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ID: GYG1024733-1582642
Category:
Country: Japan

Duration: 10:00 hours


Description

This hiking tour will take you out of the city and up to some of the nicest views to be seen in Sapporo. Your English-speaking guide will accompany you up two mountains - Mt. Maruyama & Mt. Okurayama.
This all-season 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.

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. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our journey first heading to Mt. Maruyama for our morning hike.

The morning begins with a hike up Mt. Maruyama (225m/738ft). The ascent starts at "Maruyama hachi ju hachi kashodai shido," featuring 88 statues of Kannon the Buddhist “goddess of mercy” along the path. This short, rewarding hike through an old-growth forest offers diverse flora and fauna, including squirrels, foxes, small deer, woodpeckers and various other birds.

The hike up Mt. Maruyama is available all season. June-July is ideal for comfortable weather, while spring brings cherry blossoms, autumn offers fall colors, and winter provides serene, snow-covered landscapes (requiring more time). Our earlier morning starts — just after 9 AM — will ensure fewer crowds and better photography lighting.

While the summit is surrounded by trees, glimpses of Sapporo City are visible along the trail, especially in late autumn or early spring when foliage is sparse. Panoramic views of downtown Sapporo, Ishikari Bay, and distant mountains can also be enjoyed from the summit. By 12:00 PM, the hike concludes, followed by lunch and a rest.

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!

The Sapporo Winter Olympic Museum offers interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and simulations of ski jumping and speed skating. This is great place to go with the entire family because it combines history and the fun of winter sports all into one place!

Next, we'll walk to the adjacent Okurayama Ski Jump, built for the 1972 Olympics. This active competition venue, located on Mount Okura (307m/1,007ft), boasts a hill size of 137 meters and a k-point of 123 meters. A 5-7 minute chairlift ride ascends to the observation deck, offering panoramic views of Sapporo and giving insight into a ski jumper's perspective. Guests will spend about an hour at the observation deck, which includes a cafe for refreshments. After soaking in the 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.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a 2.5 km hike up Mt. Maruyama with a English-speaking guide
  • Visit the Okurayama Ski Jump Facility and the attached Sapporo Olympic Museum
  • Ride the chairlifts to the observation deck of Okurayama Ski Jump
  • Take in all of Sapporo from the tops of two different mountains

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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.
Clothes worn should be appropriate for the given season.
Winter hikes will require crampons or spikes.
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.
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.
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 stone structure wearing a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. You are kindly asked to be at this meetup point at 8 a.m.
INCLUDED
  • Transportation fee from Sapporo Station. to all tour destinations and then back to Sapporo Station
  • Admission Fees for the Olympic Winter Museum and Okurayama Ski Liftchair tickets
  • English-speaking guide
NOT INCLUDED
  • 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.

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.