[Okurayama Observation Deck in Sapporo] Ski Jumping and Superb Views of Sapporo Can Be Enjoyed in Winter and Summer

Maruyama Park

Maruyama (円山) is a mountain at an altitude of 226 m in the westrn part of Chuo Ward, Sapporo city, and used to be called “Mt. Moiwa (モイワ山)”. It means “A small mountain” in Ainu language. Mr. Michitoshi Iwamura (岩村通俊), a chief of Hokkaido Development Commission, named this neighborhood as Maruyama Village after Maruyama in Kyoto in 1872, and the mountain has been called “Mt. Maruyama” before people knows it. Around the foot of the Mt. Mauyama is called “Maruyama Park” at present, and it is a place of recreation and relaxation for Sapporo citizen. The large area is about 70 ha, and Hokkaido-jingu Shrine (北海道神宮), Maruyama Athletic Field (円山総合運動場) and Maruyama Zoo (円山動物園) are built on the site, and Maruyama Virgin Forest (円山原始林) grows, too, and this park has rich nature. It is well-known for a place famous for cherry blossoms and fall foliage, and a lot of tourists come. In addition, the Mt. Maruyama can be hiked, too, and trails are built for about 3 km in total length, and the time it takes to hike the mountain is around 1 hour. Read More

SAPPORO

Sapporo (札幌) that about 1,960,000 people live is the largest city in Hokkaido. Although there are various theories, its origin of the name is “Dry Big River (乾いた大きな川)” in Ainu language. A population of the Sapporo is the 4th largest city after Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya in japan, and the population accounts for 36 % of Hokkaido’s population! So the Sapporo has been flourished as the center of the Hokkaido. The area of the Sapporo is 1,121.26 km2, and is about as big as Hong Kong, and is the 7th largest city in the Hokkaido. The Sapporo is also famous as a tourist city, and about 15 million people come. As for a climate, it is hot that temperature rises to nearly 25 degrees in a summer, but it is easy to live without moisture. I always feel a little cool. It is cold that temperature falls to nearly -10 degrees in a winter, and amount of snowfall sometimes has more than 1 m. Read More

Ski Jumping

Ski Jumping is one of nordic skiing using skiis without fixing the heel, and was born in Telemark, Norway in 1808. Ski jumpers compete with a flying distance and a beauty flying posture. Winter Olympic Game and World Cup are also held, the Ski Jumping is one of the most famous winter sports. Read More

Okurayama Observation Deck

The ski lifts run from the foot of the mountain to the mountaintop. It takes about 5 minutes, and costs JPY 500 round trip.

Lookout Lounge (展望ラウンジ) is built beside the ski lift station on the mountaintop, and its rooftop is an observation platform, and Mt. Maruyama (円山), Mt. Sankakuyama (三角山), Sapporo Dome (札幌ドーム), Odori Park (大通公園) and Sapporo Station (札幌駅) come into sight. Most of landmarks of the Sapporo can be seen. Views are great, so the visitors can know that the Sapporo is very large. It is no wonder that the Okurayama Observation Deck has become extremely popular.

Okurayama Lookout Lounge Shop (大倉山展望ラウンジ売店) and a restroom are at the building. Since I had come to the Okurayama Observation Deck, I planned to eat a Mt. Okura specially made soft serve ice cream. I ordered a Swirl Soft Serve Ice Cream with Yubari Melon Flavor and Vanila Flavor (夕張メロンとバニラのミックス). The price was JPY 350. That was good sweet. By the way, customers are not alloed to take pictures to inside of the shop. Beware of crows when you eat it outside. They attack you to eat foods.

Atmosphere of Okurayama Observation Deck Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Okurayama Observation Deck

Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium

Most of ski jump tournaments are charged. A parking lot is not provided for common visitors during the ski jump tournaments, so the common visitors use a taxi or a bus. Ski jumping can be watched around landing Bahn and from ski jump watching place beside the ski jump stand. A jumper can be watched from the side at the watching place beside the ski jump stand, so it is exciting. But the distance is a little far away from the foot of the mountain, and it is cold. The visitors had better wear warm clothes. By the way, when the ski jump tournaments are not held, common tourists can also visit the Okurayama Observation Deck in the winter.

Packers tread snow down with their skis on a steep slope to the jumping hill before the jumpers fly. Meanwhile, they arrange bamboo grasses used for lines, and make the lines with a spray. Because I wondered at using the bamboo grass, I asked an old man nearby me, and he replied me that the ski jumping in Europe used the bamboo grass for lines. Afterwards, test jumpers take off, and they confirm a condition of the jumping hill. Finally, the jumper take off. Because it was not broadcasted the process of the ski jumping on TV, I knew it only after I watched it live. I knew that many stagehands supported the ski jumping.

Atmosphere of Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Ski Jumping at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium