Mount Moiwa

Mount Moiwa and Ainu Culture

Mount Moiwa has a long connection with the Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. In the Ainu language, the mountain was known as “Inkarushibe”, meaning roughly “a place from which one climbs up and keeps watch.”

For the Ainu, Mount Moiwa was a sacred mountain. It was believed that unusual phenomena on the mountain could serve as warnings of coming disasters, and the mountain was regarded as a place under the protection of the gods.

Sapporo’s Spectacular Night View

Sapporo was selected alongside Nagasaki and Kobe as one of Japan’s “New Three Great Night View Cities”. Mount Moiwa’s summit observatory is one of the city’s finest viewpoints.

From the observation deck, the vast Ishikari Plain stretches into the distance, while the lights of Sapporo spread across the landscape like a field of sparkling jewels. The night view is also recognized as one of Japan’s 100 Best Night Views and is considered one of the Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido, together with Mount Hakodate in Hakodate and Mount Tengu in Otaru.

Reaching the Summit

From the northern side, visitors can take the Moiwa Ropeway from the foot of the mountain to the middle station, then transfer to Mo-risu Car, a mini cable car that carries passengers through the forest to the summit.

From the southern side, the Mount Moiwa Tourist Motor Road provides access to the middle station. From there, visitors can transfer to the Mo-risu Car for the final journey to the summit. The tourist road is closed during winter.

Both routes offer a memorable way to experience the mountain landscape, while the final ride through the forest adds to the sense of reaching a secluded viewpoint above the city.

Five Hiking Trails

Mount Moiwa is also popular with local residents as an accessible hiking destination. Five hiking trails lead up the mountain, ranging from approximately 2.4 kilometers for the shortest route to 4.5 kilometers for the longest.

The trails can be enjoyed in relatively light hiking gear, and on summer weekends they become particularly lively as Sapporo residents head into the mountains to enjoy the greenery and fresh air.

A Mountain Close to Central Sapporo

Mount Moiwa is located approximately 5 kilometers southwest of central Sapporo and about 6 kilometers southwest of Sapporo Station. Its convenient location makes it easy to combine with sightseeing in the city.

The mountain attracts large numbers of both local residents and visitors from overseas. In fiscal 2017, approximately 906,000 people visited Mount Moiwa. The Sapporo Moiwa Ski Resort is located on the southeastern side of the mountain and provides winter recreation.

The asteroid (5146) Moiwa was named after Mount Moiwa.

Geology and Formation

The geological foundation of Mount Moiwa consists of sedimentary rocks known as the Nishino Formation. These rocks were formed when lava erupted beneath a shallow sea between approximately 6.5 and 3 million years ago, during the late Miocene to Pliocene epochs.

The formation includes hornblende dacitic lava and intrusive rocks, hyaloclastite created by volcanic material rapidly cooling in water, andesitic pumice tuff, and mudstone.

Later, between approximately 2.8 and 2.3 million years ago, three volcanic eruptions during the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene produced andesitic lava that formed much of the present mountain.

A Sacred Mountain in Ainu Tradition

Mount Moiwa was known to the Ainu as Inkarushibe, meaning “a place from which one climbs up and keeps watch.” It was regarded as a sacred and revered mountain.

According to traditional accounts, mysterious lights known as Kamuy-shune, or “the gods’ torches,” could sometimes be seen burning on the mountainside when unusual events were approaching. Rumbling sounds from the mountain were interpreted as possible signs of severe snowstorms or outbreaks of smallpox.

When smallpox epidemics actually occurred, people were said to flee to the mountain and pray for divine protection. These traditions illustrate the deep spiritual connection between the Ainu and the natural landscape of Mount Moiwa.

Moiwa Primeval Forest

The ancient forest covering Mount Moiwa was designated a Natural Conservation Forest by the Hokkaido government in 1915. On March 3, 1921, it was designated as one of the first natural monuments in Hokkaido, together with Maruyama Primeval Forest.

The protected area covers approximately 284.7 hectares of national forest, preserving a valuable natural environment close to the center of Sapporo.

Moiwa Kannon

In 1885, permission was granted to establish Moiwa Kannon as part of the Hokkaido Shin-Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage. In 1901, 33 Kannon statues modeled after the famous Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon pilgrimage were placed at various locations on the mountain, and a stone sanctuary was constructed at the summit.

The present Okunoin, or inner sanctuary, of Moiwa Kannon was completed as a substantial permanent structure in 1992.

The Former Sapporo Ski Area

During the postwar occupation of Japan, a ski area exclusively for occupation forces was established on Mount Moiwa in 1946. It was used for the final time during the 13th National Sports Festival of Japan in 1958.

Access to the former ski area was subsequently restricted in order to protect the mountain’s natural environment.

The Buddhist Stupa

A striking white Buddhist stupa stands at an elevation of approximately 178 meters on the northeastern foothills of Mount Moiwa. Built in 1959, it is approximately 33 meters high and 28 meters wide at its base.

The stupa houses Buddhist relics presented by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Moiwa Shrine

Moiwa Shrine stands near the middle station of the ropeway. It was established in 1987 and is an affiliated shrine outside the main grounds of Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Nature and Wildlife

Climate and Winter Snow

Snowfall near the upper section of Sapporo Moiwa Ski Resort is approximately 30 centimeters greater than in the urban area of Sapporo. During April and May, when trees begin to develop new leaves, stronger average winds can occur. As a result, distinctive wind-shaped trees can be seen along the summit and ridgelines.

Plants

More than 100 species of trees have been identified on Mount Moiwa. Temperate deciduous broadleaf forests are particularly common.

On the northern and eastern slopes, where there has been little evidence of logging, forests of painted maple and Japanese linden grow alongside a diverse mixture of Japanese oak, Japanese magnolia, and other trees. Forests of Erman’s birch can be found around the summit.

Mammals

Large mammals in the Mount Moiwa area include Ezo deer and brown bears. Several squirrel species can also be found, including Ezo squirrels, Ezo chipmunks, and Ezo flying squirrels.

Ezo mountain hares are also present, although their numbers are thought to have declined as the population of red foxes has increased. Raccoons, an invasive species designated under Japan’s Invasive Alien Species Act, have also become established and continue to spread in the area.

Birds

More than 120 bird species have been recorded around Mount Moiwa and nearby Mount Maruyama. The number of species and individual birds reaches its peak during the breeding season, including the arrival of summer visitors.

One of the most notable species is the black woodpecker, a nationally designated natural monument in Japan. Successful breeding records of this rare bird are particularly well known in the area.

Insects and Butterflies

Several thousand insect species have been recorded on Mount Moiwa. Around 90 species of butterflies inhabit Mount Moiwa and Mount Maruyama.

The great purple emperor, Japan’s national butterfly, can be observed in some areas. Numerous hairstreak species can also be found, along with swallowtails and other butterflies that are generally associated with higher elevations farther south in Japan.