The three most famous night views in Hokkaido are Hakodate, Otaru, and Sapporo. And the generally accepted list for the three most famous night views in Japan was Hakodate, Kobe, and Nagasaki, but... Sapporo has actually come in second place nationwide.

The Japan Night View Tourism Convention & Bureau recently announced at the "Night View Summit 2015" the results of a survey conducted by night view experts, which identified Hakodate as the second-best night view city in Japan, following Nagasaki.

Many of you may be wondering why Sapporo? The main reason is that it has numerous scenic spots. So, this time, we'll introduce some night view spots in Sapporo. Please decide on your own best spot depending on the time of day and season!

<Contents>
1. Night view of Mt. Moiwa
2. Night view of Asahiyama Memorial Park
3. Night view from JR Tower Observation Deck T38
4. Norbesa
5. Sapporo TV Tower
6. Horomi Pass
7. Okurayama Observatory (Lamb Dining Okurayama)

When it comes to Sapporo's night view, almost every tourist and local will mention Mt. Moiwa as their top choice. It's accessible by car or ropeway, and its proximity to Sapporo Station is also a major draw.
From the mountaintop, which is over 500 meters high, you can enjoy a panoramic view not only of all of Sapporo but also of the vast Ishikari Plain in the distance, and from the 360° open view, you can even see Ishikari Bay. It is truly the queen of Sapporo's night view spots.

The mountaintop is equipped with the necessary facilities, and in winter it serves as a ski resort, providing a place for elementary school students from Sapporo's Chuo Ward to learn skiing. There are plenty of sights to see, such as the contrast between the city lights that emerge in the twilight of summer and the deep, dark shadows of the Minami Ward area.
For more details, please see here.

・[Certified as one of Japan's New Top 3 Night Views!] The night view of Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo is a must-see!

Moiwayama Ropeway Basic Information
Address: 5-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Operating hours: ~Ropeway~
Summer (April 1st to November 20th) 10:30am to 10pm
Winter (December 1st to March 31st) 11:12 to 22:3
*Last northbound train departs at 21:30 PM
Special opening hours: New Year's Eve (December 31st) 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, New Year's Day (January 1st) 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*Last northbound train departs at 16:30 PM
Moiwayama Scenic Expressway:
Summer season (April 11th to November 20th): 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM *Last entry at 9:30 PM
* Closed during winter
Closed days: Ropeway - November 24th to December 3rd
Price: Ropeway + Morris Car (round trip to the observation deck)
Adult 1,700 yen Child 850 yen
*Up to two infants per adult are admitted free of charge.
Moiwayama Scenic Road: 660 yen for passenger cars
Parking: Free
Phone: 011-561-8177
Website
 http://moiwa.sapporo-dc.co.jp/
- Get off at the "Ropeway Entrance" tram stop, it's right there. *Free shuttle bus service to the "Moiwa Mountain Base Station" ropeway station.
From Maruyama Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line, take the JR Hokkaido Bus (Circular Route 10 or 11) and get off at "Moiwa Mountain Foot" or "Ropeway Entrance," then it's a short walk.
To reach the trailhead, take the Tozai Subway Line to "Maruyama Park" station, then take the JR Hokkaido Bus (Circular Route 10 or 11) and get off at "Jikeikai-mae".

Even more familiar to the citizens than Mount Moiwa is Asahiyama Memorial Park.

In the case of Mt. Moiwa, you'll need to pay for transportation whether you take the scenic road or the ropeway. However, this is a public park, so parking is free, and you can drive right up to the scenic spots. Moreover, the amount of scenery is by no means inferior to that of Mt. Moiwa.

Because it is lower in elevation than Mt. Moiwa and closer to the city center, you can enjoy a more intimate view of Sapporo, which sparkles like twinkling stars.

The city of Sapporo is beautiful when bathed in the sunset from daytime to evening. However, the night view is many times more beautiful. Autumn, when the sun sets early, is the best season. Originally a park known only to locals, its charm spread by word of mouth, and now it has become one of the date spots that attracts many couples. High school students hold hands and gaze at the night view while children run around excitedly. It is such a friendly place.

Within a five-minute drive, you'll find numerous restaurants in the Fushimi-Maruyama area where you can enjoy a meal while taking in the night view of Sapporo, so you won't have any trouble finding something to eat after enjoying the scenery.

Basic Information about Asahiyama Memorial Park
Address: 4-chome, Sakaigawa, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Opening hours: Park 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Rest House: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed in winter)
Parking: Free (Second parking lot is closed during winter)
Phone: 011-200-0311 (Asahiyama Memorial Park Management Office / Weekdays and holidays 10:00-16:00)
Website
http://www.sapporo-park.or.jp/asahiyama/
From Maruyama Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line, take the JR Hokkaido Bus (Route 13) and get off at Asahiyama Park Mae bus stop, then walk for 4 minutes.

The JR Tower, a landmark tower in Sapporo standing 160 meters above ground, is essentially a complex facility housing commercial facilities, a hotel, a movie theater, and a restaurant area. T38 is located on the 38th floor of this tower.

The magnificent 360° panoramic view, stretching from Ishikari Bay to the Yubari Mountains, is sure to captivate anyone who sees it. As it is located in the heart of the city, the area surrounding the facility is bathed in light.

You'll feel as if you're in heaven, bathed in light that seems to emanate from your feet. Like similar facilities throughout Japan, the lighting inside is slightly dimmed, allowing you to fully enjoy the romantic atmosphere.

As the weather gets colder, many night view spots are located at high altitudes, requiring heavy clothing and considerable determination to enjoy them. However, this place offers a comfortable, air-conditioned environment.

In that sense, it might be heaven. It's a casual night view spot for adults, and it's open late, so you can either get drunk on the night view after getting drunk on the alcohol, or get drunk on the alcohol after getting drunk on the night view.

JR Tower Observation Deck T38 (Tower Three Eight) Basic Information
Address: 5-5, Kita 5-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Opening Hours: T' CAFÉ 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Last entry at 9:30 PM) T' SHOP 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Closed: None
Admission fees: Adults 720 yen, Junior and Senior High School Students 500 yen, Elementary School Students and Preschoolers (ages 4 and up) 300 yen
Parking: 330 yen/60 minutes (JR Tower East Multi-story Parking Garage)
Phone: 011-209-5500
website:http://www.jr-tower.com/t38/
Get off at Sapporo Station on the Namboku Line, Toho Line, or JR Line, then walk for 5 minutes.

Norbesa, located between Susukino and Tanukikoji, is a mixed-use commercial complex. It houses a wide variety of shops, including restaurants, fashion boutiques, and hobby stores, but its composition is very unique. It features an internet cafe, a manga specialty store, a figure shop, an arcade, and a bowling alley, setting it apart from typical fashion buildings.

Located on the rooftop is the Noriya Ferris wheel. At 78 meters above ground level, it's about the same height as the TV Tower. The dazzling neon lights of Susukino add to the excitement.

Image provided by: Namara Hokkaido Dabesa
Especially for couples, being able to enjoy the night view of downtown Sapporo all to themselves without any interruptions is bound to be exciting.

Even if it's cold outside, a warm heart will undoubtedly create an irreplaceable memory. Enjoy a few minutes of aerial sightseeing with your loved one.

Norbesa Ferris Wheel Noriya Basic Information
Address: 1-1, Minami 3-jo Nishi 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Hours:
Weekdays 11: 00 ~ 23: 00
Friday, Saturday, and the day before a public holiday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM the following day (Last entry at 2:50 AM)
Closed: None
Price:
1 person: 600 yen, 2 people: 1200 yen, 3 people: 1800 yen, 4 people: 2000 yen, 2 laps: 800 yen per person, Free for children under 3 years old.
Parking: None. Partner parking available (1 hour free with purchase of some stores within Norbesa).
Phone: 011-261-8875
Website
http://www.norbesa.jp/index.php
・Get off at Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line, then a 2-minute walk.

The "Sapporo White Illumination," which adorns Sapporo's Odori Park from November, can be enjoyed from above at the Sapporo TV Tower.

While the observation deck is usually visited during the day, it becomes lively at night during this period. In particular, from December 20th to 25th, the white illuminations themselves are lit until midnight, and the TV Tower also extends its operating hours until 10:30 PM.

You're sure to be captivated by the twinkling, star-like LEDs and the massive decorations. From late November, an event modeled after the Christmas market in Munich, Germany, a sister city, will also be held. If you're lucky, you might even meet Santa Claus. Warm yourself up with some mulled wine.

Let your heart be warmed by the carpet of lights that covers Odori Park. Families will also thoroughly enjoy it. Be sure to sigh in awe at the light pageant from up close and from above, and let your breath fog up the windows of the TV Tower.

Sapporo TV Tower Basic Information
Address: 1-chome, Odori West, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Opening hours: Summer 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Winter 9:30 AM - 9:30 PM
*May vary depending on the time of year and event.
Closed: None
Admission fees: Adults 720 yen, High school students 600 yen, Junior high school students 400 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen, Toddlers (3 years and older) 100 yen
*Group discount available for 15 or more people
Parking: None
Phone: 011-241-1131
Website
http://www.tv-tower.co.jp
・Get off at "Odori" station on the Namboku Line, Tozai Line, or Toho Line of the subway, and walk for 5 minutes.

Horomi Pass is a hidden gem that even many Sapporo locals don't know about. As the name suggests, the Horomi Pass Observation Parking Lot is located at the top of the pass, overlooking the city of Sapporo. It's the parking lot for the lavender garden operated by Yumekobo Sato.

The most distinctive feature of this place is the observation parking lot where you can enjoy the night view from inside your car. Even during the cold season, you can enjoy a beautiful, world-heritage-level night view without having to get out of your car at all.

This is an important road connecting Chuo Ward and Minami Ward, but its narrowness is due to geographical constraints. Therefore, it's a hidden gem even among locals, but it also has its only drawback. Drive carefully. You'll be rewarded with a sight that's well worth the effort. (Currently closed for road rerouting work. Scheduled to reopen in 2016.)

Basic Information about Horomi Pass Observation Parking Lot
Yume Kobo Sato
Address: 471-110 Bankei, Chuo-ku, Sapporo (Summit of Horomi Pass)
TEL：011-622-5167
It's a 10-minute drive from Maruyama Park subway station.
At the traffic light in front of Maruyama Nishimachi Post Office, take the narrow road to the right.
Business days: April 1st to November 30th
Opening hours: Lunchtime: 10:00 AM - 17:00 PM (Departure by 18:00 PM)
Evening session: 18:00 - 1:30 (Gates close at 2:00)
Parking fee: Daytime: 500 yen (500 yen while the lavender garden is open)
Evening session: 800 yen

Even locals don't immediately think of the Okurayama observation deck when they hear the term "night view." Most people only associate it with the ski jump.

The ski jump's starting position is designed to look as if you're taking off towards the city of Sapporo. Naturally, the night view is stunning. Another reason this place is so popular is that you can enjoy the night view while having a meal.

Image courtesy of:Okurayama Observatory
Located next to the observation deck, Lamb Dining Okurayama is a wonderful restaurant that offers a variety of ways to enjoy lamb, a soul food of Hokkaido residents.

Outside the window, the Sapporo night view looks like beads sewn onto a deep blue fabric. And right before your eyes, richly flavored dishes sizzle with oil. This place offers a luxury that satisfies all five senses.

Basic Information about Okurayama Observatory
Address: 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Business hours
April 29th - October 3st, 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
April 11th-November 4th 4: 28-9: 17
Closed on: during ski jumping competitions, official practice sessions, and lift maintenance periods.
Lift fee
Round trip: Adults 500 yen, Children (elementary school age and younger) 300 yen
Parking: Free
Phone: 011-641-8585 (Okurayama Tourist Information Center)
Website
http://okura.sapporo-dc.co.jp/jump/index.html
From Maruyama Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line, take the JR Hokkaido Bus (Route 14) and get off at Okurayama Stadium Entrance, then walk for 10 minutes.
Lamb Dining Okurayama
Lunch 11:30 AM - 14:00 PM / Last order 13:30 PM
Dinner: 17:30 - 21:30 / Last order: 21:00

Afterword

So, what did you think? I hope I was able to convey at least some of the charm of Sapporo, one of Japan's new top three night view cities.

Sapporo has surprisingly many hilly areas, and therefore many places where you can enjoy the night view. It's not uncommon to find private homes with the luxury of being able to see Sapporo's night view. Also, in Maruyama, the Fushimi district, the scenic road on Mt. Moiwa, and Kobayashi Pass, you can see the glittering lights of Sapporo just by driving along the roads.

If you're feeling bored with just going back to your hotel and sleeping in Sapporo, why not enjoy some nighttime cityscapes by visiting easily accessible spots? You're sure to be amazed by the breathtaking beauty that will exceed your expectations!

[Check these out too!]
・[Certified as one of Japan's New Top 3 Night Views!] The night view of Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo is a must-see!
・5 cities in Hokkaido with beautiful night views that you'll want to visit on a date or trip!
・You too can be moved by the breathtaking scenery! The complete guide to Otaru's night view, one of Hokkaido's three best night views!
・Spectacular Views! Everything You Need to Know and Hidden Gems to Enjoy Hakodate's Night View to the Fullest
・Romantic! What makes Muroran's factory night view so appealing? (One of Japan's Five Great Factory Night Views)

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