Mt Moiwa

Mt Moiwa (Japanese: 藻岩山) rises gently above the southern edge of Sapporo, a compact peak whose forested slopes and broad summit terraces offer one of the city’s most accessible mountain walks. It's not a dramatic summit, but its topography has a quiet charm with long, wooded ridges, pockets of old-growth forest, and a rounded crest that opens suddenly into wide views over the city and the Ishikari plain. 

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Mt Moiwa has long been a landmark for Sapporo, visible from downtown, beloved for its night views and protected as part of a municipal natural forest. The mountain’s slopes host one of the few remaining tracts of primeval forest within the city limits, home to deer, foxes and northern plants. For residents, Moiwa is both a recreational mountain and a symbol of Sapporo’s relationship with the surrounding wilderness.

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The hike from Asahiyama Park is the most atmospheric approach and is the one I used. The trail begins in a quiet, shaded grove at the edge of the park, climbing steadily through mixed forest. The path rises in gentle switchbacks, crossing small gullies and mossy stones, before joining the main ridge that leads toward the summit. As the forest thins, glimpses of Sapporo appear through the trees. The final ascent is easy and open, leading to the summit terraces where the city spreads out in a great arc below. It's also possible to reach the summit using the ropeway so hikers can often meet locals and tourist crowds when reaching the top of the mountain.

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)