Makomanai Ice Arena

 Image: Makomanai Ice Arena - July 2025

Makomanai Ice Arena was constructed for the 1972 Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo. Since then, this public facility has been used not only for sports such as ice hockey and figure skating, but also for music concerts and volleyball. It is a circular shaped dome with 6,024 fixed seats and 4,000 removable seats, according to the official website (in Japanese). The arena also has five meeting rooms, 16 changing rooms, two shower rooms, and other facilities.

The arena can accommodate up to nine badminton courts, two tennis courts, three handball courts, four volleyball courts, three basketball courts, and 18 table tennis courts.

Map: Access by bus from Makomanai Subway Station

If you visit by public transport, the nearest subway station is Makomanai Subway Station on the Green Line. From there,  you can take a bus or taxi; the journey takes about five minutes.  If you take the bus, get off at Kamimachi 1-chome and walk for a further five minutes. Once you reach the intersection, the venue is easy to find, as shown on the map below. The arena’s official YouTube channel provides a video explaining how to get to the arena by bus.

Map: Bus stop Kamimachi 1-chome

As Makomanai Ice Arena is part of Makomanai Park, there is plenty of space for car parking. Parking fees apply only at weekends and holidays from late April to early of November. (¥320/ US$2.00)

Due to heavy snowfall in winter, many runners who usually run around the park use the arena for training, as running outside is difficult during snowy conditions. However, some runners still run outside in winter when it is not snowing.

Image: Snowfall at Makomanai Ice Arena - January 2026

The fees are ¥630 (US$4.50) for adults, ¥240 (US$ 1.70) for high school students, and free for others. Indoor running trainers are required, and the schedule varies each month, so please check the links on the official webpage (in Japanese).

Please note that the running course operates under two different time slots; one is 'ウォーキング・ジョギング(Walking and Jogging)', and the other is 'スピード練習(Speeding training)'. You may wish to choose the Walking and Jogging slot, otherwise, you will be required to run at speed on the course.

Image: Runners on Saturday (Walking and Jogging slot) - January 2026

The running course is located on the third floor of the stadium. However, the staircase may be difficult to find. The entrance is located right next to the toilets as shown in the image below. The course is roughly 300 metres per lap.

Image: The running course is located on the upper floor

During the winter season, the main arena is equipped with an ice rink, and the other activities mentioned above are unavailable. Admission costs ¥810 (US$5.50) for adults, ¥290 (US$2.00) for high school students, and is free for others. Again, the schedule can be checked on the official webpage (in Japanese).

Image: An ice rink is installed during the winter season - January 2026

As a child, I sometimes went skating with my friends and adults. As far as I remember, an outdoor ice rink in Makomanai Park was available during the winter season in the 1980s. Many skaters enjoyed skating, and so did my father. As you can see in the image above, taken on a Saturday, only a small number of children are enjoying skating. (The outdoor ice rink is also available) Like skiing and snowboarding, skating may no longer be generally chosen as a leisure activity by people living in Sapporo. 

Image: Helmets are available free of charge

In any case, Makomanai Ice Arena offers good opportunities to enjoy sports at minimum cost, regardless of the season. If you are looking to stay active, why not make use of this historic venue, which once hosted the Winter Olympic Games?

Image: Entrance - January 2026