Shioyamaruyama

 Image: Summit of Shioyamaruyama - August 2025

Shioyamaruyama (塩谷丸山: しおやまるやま) is located in Shioya Town, Otaru. It is just a 40-minute drive from Sapporo via the express motorway. Alternatively, you can take the JR train and get off at Shioya Station - from there, it is a 15-minute walk to the trailhead. Either way offers easy access.

Map: Location of Shioyamaruyama

Map: Route from Shioya Station to the entrance

There are parking areas near the trailhead, so you likely will not need to worry about finding a space. We visited here on a Sunday morning and there was still room to park when we left at 9:30 am. It took approximately an hour to reach the summit, and the return was quicker. This suggests there was a steady flow of trekkers, with arrivals and departures naturally balancing each other.

Image: Car park at the entrance - August 2025

　　　　　　　

　　　　　　Image: Signboard

　 

P: Shioyamaruyama Car Parking Area

現在地: Your location

P - 1: Parking 1

P - 2: Parking 2

Please note that there are two portable toilets available in the parking area - one for women and one for men. This will be your final opportunity to use the facilities unless you have a pocket toilet with you.

Image: Toilets

When you are ready, walk through the tunnel beneath the express motorway. After that, turn onto the right-hand path and continue walking alongside the motorway. 

　Image: Tunnel beneath the express motorway

Image: Walk alongside the express motorway

Then, you will find a green box marked with a sign reading '入山届 (Mountain Entry Registration)'. You will need to write down the date, your name, where you are from, entry time, and finish time when you are back. Pens and the registration book are provided inside the box.

This notebook may serve as a valuable reference in the event of an emergency.

Image: Entry Registration

This route is 2.8 km long and not particularly demanding. However, it does require more effort than trekking up Mount Moiwa. Until you reach a bench made from a snowboard, the path is easy to walk. After that, however, steeper slopes await the hikers. I would recommend that you take regular breaks and try not to push yourself too hard, especially if you are a beginner like me.

Image: A bench made from a snowboard

 Image: Steeper slope

After you have tackled several slopes, zigzag paths and rocky trails, you will come to an easier stretch of road. Then, you are almost there.

If you are not too tired, you might want to look back at the path you have taken -  because there is likely breathtakingly beautiful scenery, if the weather permits.

Image: Final section to the top

There were five other hikers at the summit that day, besides us. They were also enjoying incredibly good weather. 

If you are fortunate, you might be able to see Mount Yohtei.

Image: Yoichi side

Image: Mount Yohtei side

For your short journey, it is recommended to bring a bottle of water or tea, along with a change of clothes and a towel. More importantly, be sure to wear suitable trekking shoes - the trail becomes increasingly steep and can be quite slippery as you ascend.

Moreover, it is expected that you pass by other trekkers, so please enjoy the interaction with them along the way.

As this was our first visit to Shioyamaruyama, so all the photos in this chapter were taken in August 2025.