The gently rolling landscape of Mt. Moiwa, rising quietly to roughly 531 meters above sea level and cuddled by dense forest, is a stark contrast to the bustling downtown Sapporo where planned grid street pattern is packed with soaring buildings and structures that never stopped expanding.
In winter, Mt. Moiwa feels hushed and magical. The forest is wonderfully blanketed by snow, while the air turns crisp, as if inviting you to slow down. Before I even board the Mt. Moiwa ropeway, this mountain already feels like an escape. And as I glide upward, floating over the trees, the noise of the city fades, replaced by the quiet and soft hum of the ropeway. At half-way point, I transfer to the small cable car and climb higher, steeper, closer to the summit. And as I step out, I just stood there quietly taking in the view. It’s like a winter postcard I’ve seen when I was a kid.
TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS
HOW TO GET TO MT.MOIWA
BY TRAM/STREETCAR
- Take the subway to Odori Station (Exit 2) or go directly to the tram stop near Sapporo PARCO
- Hop on the Sapporo City Tram (streetcar).
- Get off at Ropeway Iriguchi Station. Fare is about ¥230 (₱87).
- Catch the Free Shuttle. From the tram stop, find the free shuttle bus (S19W15) for Mt. Moiwa; it runs frequently (about every 15 mins). Travel time is about 5 mins.
- The shuttle will take you to Moiwa Sanroku Station, the base of the ropeway.
- At the Base Station (Sanroku), purchase your tickets.
- Ride the ropeway to Chufuku Station (mid-mountain).
- Transfer to the mini cable car (Morisu Car) to reach the summit.
MT.MOIWA ROPEWAY
- ADDRESS: 005-0041 Mount Moiwa, Minami-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
- MT.MOIWA OPEN HOURS:
- Winter season (December to March)
- Moiwa Ropeway Sanroku Station – Nakafuku Station 11:00 – 22:00 *Last ascent 21:30
- Mini cable car halfway station – summit station 11:10 – 21:50 *Last ascent 21:40
- Summer period (April to November)
- Moiwa Ropeway Sanroku Station – Nakafuku Station 10:30 – 22:00 *Last ascent 21:30
- Mini cable car Chufuku Station – Summit Station 10:30 – 21:50 *Last ascent 21:40
- MT.MOIWA ENTRANCE FEE: There’s no entrance fee but you can pay for the Ropeway & Mini Cable Car (Standard Method).
- Adult Round-Trip: ¥2,100 (₱790)
- Child (6-12 y.o) Round-Trip: ¥1,050 (₱395)
- *Inclusion: Both the ropeway and the mini cable car (Morris Car) to the top.
TRAVEL TIP: You can book the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway Ticket in advance online through the link below. Don’t forget to use my Klook Promo Code for a discounted price.
✅MT.MOIWA ROPEWAY TICKET: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅ SOLOKLOOK – Use my Klook Promo Code (up to 5% off)
BY BUS
Bus from Sapporo Station to Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
1.Alternatively, you can take Bus 50 from Bus Stop 7 inside Sapporo Station Bus Terminal. Fare is ¥210 (₱79), travel time is roughly 37 minutes.
2.Get off at the Moiwa Sanroku Ropeway Iriguchi Station.
3.Follow Step 4-8 above.
Bus from Maruyama Koen Subway Station to Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
1.From Maruyama Koen Subway Station, take JR Bus 10 or 11.
2. Alight at Moiwa Sanroku Ropeway Iriguchi Station.
3.Follow Step 4-8 above.
OTHER SAPPORO TICKETS:
✅SOLOKLOOK – Use my Klook Promo Code (up to 5% off)
✅Sapporo Clock TV Tower: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Shiroi Kobito Park: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅JR East – South Hokkaido Rail Pass: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅JR Sapporo – Noboribetsu Area Pass: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅JR Pass Hokkaido Rail Pass: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Japan E-sim: BUY HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Sapporo Car Rental: BOOK HERE OR RESERVE HERE
BY TOUR PACKAGE
If you are pressed for time and you want to maximize your day in Sapporo. You can join a group tour or book a private tour that covers the top tourist attractions in Sapporo in a day. This will save you time. Highly recommended if you’re traveling with seniors and kids.
Here’s some of my handpicked Sapporo tours.
SAPPORO TOURS:
✅SOLOKLOOK – Redeem and use my Klook Promo Code (up to 5% off)
✅Hokkaido Tour: BOOK HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Hokkaido Tour: BOOK HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Lake Toya + Noboribetsu Tour: BOOK HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: BOOK HERE OR RESERVE HERE
✅Chitose Salmon Aquarium Ticket: BUY HERE
WHERE TO STAY IN SAPPORO
If it’s your first time visiting in Sapporo during winter, here are some great areas and hotel options that are ideal especially if you want convenience, easy transport, and snowy city vibes!
Book your Sapporo Accommodation at Agoda or via Klook, use my promo codes below for up to 10% discount. I also included a link below where you can compare the hotel rates via TripAdvisor, you can book through those booking platforms as well.
✅SOLOKLOOK – Redeem and use my Klook Promo Code (up to 5% off)
✅SOLOAGODA – Redeem and use my Klook Promo Code (up to 10% off)
BEST AREAS TO STAY IN SAPPORO
1.ODORI PARK
Why stay here: Super central – right in the heart of the city with parks, restaurants, underground walkways, and snow festival site in February.
Best for: First-timers who want to explore the city sights on foot and be near most attractions.
- Richmond Hotel Sapporo Odori
- Location: Odori Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Odori Station (3 min walk)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Hotel Abest Sapporo
- Location: Odori Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Odori Station (5 min walk)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel
- Location: Odori Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Odori Station (8 min walk)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
2. SUSUKINO
Why stay here: Sapporo’s entertainment and food hub – perfect for trying ramen, izakaya, and winter nightlife. It’s close to Odori by metro/subway.
Best for: Food lovers and night owl
- Smile Hotel Premium Susukino
- Location: Susukino area
- Nearest Subway Station: Susukino Station 4 (4 min walk)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Quintessa Hotel Sapporo Susukino
- Location: Susukino area
- Nearest Subway Station: Susukino Station 4 (4 min walk)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Hotel Mystays Sapporo Susukino
- Location: Susukino area
- Nearest Subway Station: Susukino Station (7 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Tmark City Hotel Sapporo
- Location: Susukino area
- Nearest Subway Station: Susukino Station (7 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- APA Hotel Sapporo-Susukino-Ekimae
- Location: Susukino area
- Nearest Subway Station: Susukino Station (3 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
3. SAPPORO STATION AREA
Why stay here: Central transportation hub. Fast airport access plus lots of shopping, dining, and underground tunnels to escape the cold.
Best for: Day trips and winter ease
- Emion Sapporo
- Location: Sapporo Station area
- Nearest Subway Station: Sapporo Station (7 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Comfort Hotel ERA Sapporo North
- Location: Sapporo Station area
- Nearest Subway Station: Sapporo Station (7 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo West
- Location: Sapporo Station area
- Nearest Subway Station: Sapporo Station (7 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- The Gate Hotel Sapporo by Hulic
- Location: Sapporo Station area
- Nearest Subway Station: Sapporo Station (5 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
4. NAKAJIMA PARK
Why stay here: A bit more relaxed, close to green park space with winter walking paths, still close to Susukino/Odori.
Best for: Couples, families, and anyone wanting quite, scenic, with easy access.
- Hotel Resol Sapporo Nakajima Koen
- Location: Nakajima Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Nakajimakoen Station (2 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Premiere Hotel Nakajima Park Sapporo
- Location: Nakajima Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Nakajimakoen Station (5 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Hotel Vista Sapporo – Nakajima Koen
- Location: Nakajima Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Nakajimakoen Station (3 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Hotel Sho Sapporo
- Location: Nakajima Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Nakajimakoen Station (2 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- Hotel Rima Chocolat
- Location: Nakajima Park area
- Nearest Subway Station: Nakajimakoen Station (2 mins)
- RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
HOTELS NEAR THE AIRPORT
Why stay here: Close to the airport. Ideal if your have an early morning flight or late night arrival and there’s no more bus or train to downtown Sapporo.
Best for: those looking for hotels near the airport, or if you have an early flight
- Chitose Airport Hotel
- Location: Chitose area
- Nearest Subway Station: Chitose Station (4 mins)
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE
- MINN CHITOSE HOTEL
- Location: Chitose-shi Hokkaido
- Nearest MRT: Minami-Chitose Station (13 min walk), close to Chitose Airport
- Access: From New Chitose Airport, take the Rapid Airport MRT to Sapporo. Get off at Minami-Chitose Station (1st stop, 3 min). Fare is ¥1,050 (₱401). Exit via North Exit. Walk for about 800 m (13 mins) to Minn Chitose Hotel.
- Nearby Tourist Spots: Chitose Outlet Mall Rera, Salmon Hometown Chitose Aquarium
- COMPARE RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE OR BOOK HERE