Cross Hotel Sapporo

Snow is pleasant; Go and play "Yuki-asobi"

by arajun

"Takino Suzuran Hillside National Government Park" is opend as "Takino Snow World" from end of December till end of March.
Good place to the families with kids.You can choose what to play;skiing,snowshoes play,sledge ride,indoor-playroom and so on.Ski slope is so mild and good chance for a beginner to try skiing with rental ski.

*Shuttle bus available (but not so often).

Beautiful in simmer,too.I prefer floral season ;P

Mt Moiwa - Inkarushibe

by debtravers

"Ropeway to Mt Moiwa"

Mt Moiwa or Inkarushibe in Ainu, - 531 metres high - is in the southwest corner of the city. Here you can take the 'ropeway' (gondola) almost to the top. From there you take a ride up on a snowcat which tows a big norwegian sleigh to the summit...the view from here is wonderful, particularly at night...you can see all of Sapporo, the coast in the distance. Very popular with young dating couples apparently. In Feb, in the snow, it was beautiful...

"Mt Moiwa part 2!"

and after you get off the 'ropeway' you wait around here, throwing snow at each other and generally acting like 5 yr olds before getting on the back of snowcat to get to the top. Was COLD up here but what a view of the city....

"On Top of the World!!!"

There are observation platforms up here where you can appreciate 360 degree views - you can see for miles and miles. There is a very nice restaurant where you get a lunch voucher from a vending machine and hand into the waitress who then brings your food. Nice and easy to use - and the food was pretty good too. We ate in the Skyhall restaurant enjoying the views. Gift shop up here too for Hokkaido souvenirs.

"View from Mt Moiwa"

Stunning views - looking out over the ski runs.

"About to go???"

We saw this all slide forward whilst waiting for the snowcat and thought it was all going to come down at any minute...but it was still there when we came back down a couple of hours later.

"Shinto shrine"

This shrine was partway up the mountain.

"Yet more stunning views..."

"Further information..."

To get their by subway/bus:
Take the Tozai Subway Line and get off at Maruyama-Koen Station. At the Maruyama Bus Terminal, take the (Nishi 12) Ropeway Line bus. After about
11 minutes, get off at the " Ropeway-Mae" stop and walk about 4 minutes.

Adult tickets were 1100 yen, children 550 yen for the round trip. Opening times and dates vary - ropeway is closed April 1-8 and Nov 20 - Dec 9. Tel (011) 561 8177 for opening times and information.