Moerenuma Park is a very nice park and has 1600 sakura trees, unfortunately when I visited tge bloom was over and only a few trees still had petals. There are three main things to see here, two massive hills and a glass pyramid. The park is best by bike which you can hire one near the entrance and I recommend you do for the best experience.
The park is huge but honestly it was a bit underwhelming with a lot of the place covered in snow during winter (early feb). People can rent snow shoes or cross country skis to walk around the place, but nothing too exciting. It is also a bit far from sapporo and the directions from Google maps doesn't take you to the right location (should enter from the west gate, not the east). Would not recommend for winter activities.
The park and the pyramid-like structure’s very nice. The park could be for kids because of the gigantic slope for sleds and great sightseeing and photography spot for adults. Just remember to pin Moerenuma Park East gate for easier access especially on winter.
great park! large open space of meadows, dotted with big, simple , elegant sculptures. Cherry blossoms were great as well with few people. Bird chirping all around.
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.
