Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium

Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium is one of Sapporo's most iconic landmarks, a towering ski jump carved into a forested hillside above the city that has hosted world-class winter sports for decades. Built up as a competition venue and used during the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, the large hill at Okurayama remains an active international ski-jumping site, and its dramatic profile, plunging steeply toward the city below, makes it both a serious athletic facility and a thrilling attraction for visitors year-round.

The stadium's greatest draw is the chance to ride to the top of the jump. A two-seater chairlift carries visitors up the steep incline to an observation platform beside the athletes' start gate, near the summit of the jump tower. Standing here, looking down the vertiginous in-run and out across the arena to the sprawl of Sapporo and the distant Ishikari Plain, gives an unforgettable sense of the courage ski jumpers need and one of the finest panoramic views in the city. The vista is spectacular in every season, from fresh green and autumn colour on the surrounding slopes to the crisp clarity of a winter's day, and it is a favourite spot for photographs.

At the base of the hill, the Sapporo Olympic Museum brings the history and thrill of winter sport to life through engaging, hands-on exhibits. Visitors can try simulators that recreate the sensations of ski jumping, bobsled, speed skating and cross-country skiing, making it a genuinely fun and interactive stop for families and sports enthusiasts alike. Displays trace the story of the 1972 Games, a milestone as the first Winter Olympics held in Asia, and celebrate the athletes and moments that have made Sapporo a capital of winter sport. The combination of the summit lift and the museum makes for a well-rounded visit that appeals to all ages.

Okurayama continues to serve as a stage for elite competition, hosting ski-jumping World Cup events and other tournaments, so it is worth checking the schedule before visiting, as the lift and viewing areas may close when events are being held. Seeing the venue in full competitive flow, with jumpers soaring down the hill, is a memorable experience if your timing aligns.

The stadium sits in a wooded setting on the western edge of the city, and reaching it is easiest via Maruyama Koen Station on the Tozai Subway Line, from where a JR bus runs toward the Okurayama entrance, followed by a short walk; by car it is around twenty minutes from the centre. Admission is charged separately for the chairlift and the museum, both at reasonable prices, and together they fill a comfortable couple of hours. As a symbol of Sapporo's proud winter-sports heritage, a superb viewpoint and an interactive museum all in one, Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium is one of the most rewarding modern attractions the city has to offer.