What other travelers are saying about Moerenuma Park
A Living Sculpture: The Grand Transformation of Moerenuma Park
If you are visiting Sapporo, you simply cannot miss Moerenuma Park (モエレ沼公園). It is one of the most unique and conceptually ambitious public spaces in the world. Designed by the legendary sculptor Isamu Noguchi, the entire 189-hectare park is treated as a single, unified piece of sculpture—a "sculpture of the earth."
From Waste to Wonder
What makes this place truly spectacular is its history. The land used to be a wasteland—specifically a massive municipal waste treatment plant. To see it now, transformed into a grand and majestic landscape of geometric hills and lush greenery, is nothing short of a miracle of urban design. It is a powerful example of how art can heal and repurpose industrial land into something breathtaking.
Architectural Masterpieces
The park is filled with unique buildings and architecture that feel like they belong in a futuristic dream:
* The Glass Pyramid (Hidamari): The park's iconic symbol. This stunning structure "swallows" sunlight and houses a gallery dedicated to Noguchi. The interplay of light and glass against the Hokkaido sky is mesmerizing.
* Mt. Moere: A man-made mountain standing 62 meters high. Climbing the straight and curved paths to the summit feels like conquering a geometric monument.
* Tetra Mound & Sea Fountain: Large-scale installations that use steel, stone, and water to create a sense of scale and power.
How to Explore: Cycling vs. Walking
Because of the massive grounds, I highly recommend cycling. You can rent bicycles at the East Entrance for a very small fee. Riding along the wide, paved paths with the wind in your hair is the best way to see all the hidden corners of the park, including the "Forest of Cherry Trees."
That said, walking is also fun if you have the time (set aside at least 3–4 hours). The paths are flat and easy to navigate, and walking allows you to truly appreciate the subtle shifts in the landscape's geometry as you move through it.
The Sunset Experience
If you can, time your visit so you are there for the evening. The sunset time is so cool here. As the sun dips behind the mountains of Sapporo, the Glass Pyramid begins to glow, and the long shadows cast by Mt. Moere create a dramatic, almost alien-looking landscape. The view of the city lights beginning to twinkle in the distance from the top of the mountain is a memory you won’t soon forget.
Final Verdict: Moerenuma Park is a masterpiece of modern art and environmental recovery. It is a peaceful, inspiring, and absolutely grand destination that proves beauty can grow from anywhere.
Key features include the Glass Pyramid "HIDAMARI," the Sea Fountain, Mount Moere, and various sculptures and playgrounds designed by Isamu Noguchi. The park's design integrates these elements into the natural landscape, offering a unique park experience.
Visitors can enjoy walking, cycling, picnicking, and playing in designated areas. Seasonal activities include sledding and cross-country skiing in winter and water activities near the fountains during summer.
The park is designed to be accessible, with pathways and facilities catering to visitors with disabilities. However, due to the park's vast area and varying terrain, it's recommended that you plan your visit according to accessibility needs.
Yes, visitors can rent bicycles to explore the vast park more comfortably. Other rental items may include sports equipment, depending on the season.
Amazing experience. Can rent bikes cheap and easily onsite. Some amazing places and stops to look at in this quite large park. Would be hard to walk to everything here without a bike. Two decent mountains to climb up as well for nice views!
This park is was beautiful and has an interesting history, too. It was easy to get to from central Sapporo (coming from a first-time visitor). Plan to spend several hours scaling each of the hills for a great view, wander the grounds to experience the sculpture, and head inside the glass pyramid to see the gallery.
One of the best park in Sapporo. You can get the view of whole city from here. There is a prism shaped building there, it is free for you to go inside. Children have lots of area to play and people from any age group can enjoy there. I just loved the place.
The scenery was superb. One of the highlights of our trip. Its really just admiring the beauty of nature, you don't do much in here but just to take the beauty of the surroundings that takes you to a place like you are inside a painting.
