What other travelers are saying about Open-air Museum of Sapporo Art Forest
About 20-25min bus ride from the subway. Bus comes every ~15 mins. Can take about 1-2 hrs of walking through, or longer depending on how much you look at each sculpture.
Most are from 1980s, would be nice to see some new ones here. One installation was the largest and nicest.
The Open-air Museum operates from 9:45 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with extended hours until 5:30 PM during June 1 to August 31. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. The museum is open every day from April 29 to November 3. Outside this period (November 4 to April 28), the outdoor sculpture garden is closed on Mondays, except when a national holiday falls on Monday, in which case it opens and closes the following day instead.
The outdoor sculpture garden is closed during winter months (November 4 to April 28) for regular walking tours. However, the park offers a unique winter experience with snowshoe rentals that allow visitors to explore the snow-covered sculptures. The Sato Churyo Children's Atelier remains accessible during winter, though the main sculpture garden trails are not maintained for regular foot traffic.
Most visitors spend approximately 2 to 3 hours exploring the sculpture garden, which covers a 7.5-hectare area with 74 sculptures along a hilly walking circuit. If you plan to visit both the outdoor museum and the Sapporo Art Park Museum for indoor exhibitions, or participate in art workshops and studio activities, you should allocate half a day or more to fully experience the complex.
Yes, photography is encouraged throughout the Open-air Museum. Visitors are welcome to take photographs of all sculptures in the collection and are even encouraged to interact closely with the artworks by touching them. This hands-on approach distinguishes the park from traditional museums where physical contact with art is typically prohibited.
The park is family-friendly with several facilities designed for children. The Churyo Sato Memorial Children's Atelier offers workshops where children can learn sculpting and other art techniques. The park also includes craft studios and art workshops suitable for various age groups. The outdoor sculpture garden provides an engaging way for children to experience art in a natural forest setting, making it educational and enjoyable for family groups.
We came to do the kanjiki walk in the snow and were shocked that we were the only people doing it as the place is incredibly beautiful and peaceful, especially without other people! The museum is on the way to the Takino Cemetary so it is odd that no other tourists thought to come to the sculpture park, for which I am extremely grateful. If you appreciate nature, contemporary art and sculpture, and are reasonably fit, this is a great thing to do. Entry is free in winter but adults pay a small fee for kanjiki snowshoe hire.
Staff are lovely and helpful.
The canteen seems to have reduced operations in winter with 3 dishes but it hit the spot.
Beautiful walk through forest-like garden with many interesting sculptures. Many signs about dangerous crows but don't be scared, they were just chilling
It's only 30mins away from Sapporo Station and you can explore the whole place within 2hrs. It's recommended to go in the morning and on weekdays to have the best experience and photoshoot.
Great place for a different adventure in Sapporo if you like art and the weather is nice. Art sculptures outdoors. Great for a date or for taking children.
