Moerenuma Park
(モエレ沼公園)
Moerenuma Park is a large-scale public park in Sapporo, developed as a key location in the “Circular Greenbelt Concept” — a vision to surround the city with parks and green spaces.
Construction began in 1982 and the park officially opened in 2005. The park was designed by world-renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi, under the concept of “the entire park as a single sculpture.”(Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was a Japanese-American sculptor acclaimed worldwide for his works that seamlessly blend nature, art, and space.)
Once a waste disposal site, the area was transformed over 23 years into a symbol of Sapporo’s artistic spirit. Now known as a “sculpture of the earth,” Moerenuma Park reveals different faces depending on the time of day and changing seasons.
Mt. Moere: Climb the Iconic Hill of Moerenuma Park
Moereyama is the largest structure in Moerenuma Park and the only mountain in Sapporo’s Higashi Ward, serving as a prominent local landmark.
It is an artificial hill made by piling up non-burnable waste and construction debris, standing 52 meters tall with a summit that offers a panoramic view of the entire city of Sapporo and was designed to be exactly 2004 cm wide in honor of Isamu Noguchi’s 100th birth anniversary.
In winter, it becomes a hub for seasonal activities such as skiing and sledding.
Glass Pyramid “HIDAMARI” at Moerenuma Park: Architecture and Art in Harmony
The Glass Pyramid is a symbolic structure of Moerenuma Park and serves as a central space for cultural activities. Thanks to its glass construction that reflects the surrounding landscape, visitors can fully experience the beautiful nature of Hokkaido.
The shape of the pyramid is a unique structure composed of triangular planes, a square pyramid, and a cube, and it is said to be an homage to the Glass Pyramid of the Louvre Museum in Paris, designed by I.M. Pei in 1989.
Inside the building, there are a restaurant, gallery, gift shop, and the park’s administration office. On weekends, various cultural events such as music, dance, and art exhibitions are held.
Tips for Visiting Moerenuma Park
1. Open year-round, with free admission and free parking
The park is open all year round, and both admission and parking are free.
However, opening and closing hours are fixed, so it’s recommended to plan your visit accordingly.
2. Each facility has different operating hours
The beautiful facilities within Moerenuma Park may have specific opening hours or seasonal schedules.
In particular, the Sea Fountain operates only at scheduled times, so it’s best to check the timetable of the places you want to visit in advance.
3. About 1 hour from central Sapporo by public transport
It takes about 30 minutes by car, and approximately 1 hour by public transportation.
Be sure to factor in round-trip travel time when planning your itinerary.
4. Renting a bike makes your visit more efficient
The park is quite large, and walking everywhere can be tiring.
Bicycles are available for rent on-site and are recommended if you want to explore the entire park efficiently.
– Recommended Reading –
■Moerenuma Park
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