Sapporo Moiwa (Asahi-yama Route: 3.1 km)

 Image: Mt. Moiwa from Asahi-yama - August 2026

There are five trekking routes on Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo.

Jikeikai Route (慈恵会ルート): 2.9 km

Ski Area Route (スキー場ルート): 2.5 km

Asahi-yama Route (旭山ルート): 3.1 km

Kobayashi Tohge Route (小林峠ルート): 4.5 km

Kitanosawa Route (北の沢ルート): 2.4 km

Mt. Moiwa is a wonderful mountain in that it provides us with a variety of route options for going up and down. In this article, I would like to introduce an enjoyable route for beginners, called the Asahi-yama Route.

Access to the trailhead

It takes around 20 minutes from JR Sapporo Station by taxi. Although there are several bus routes that go near the park, I would recommend visiting the park by taxi or car as public transport is not so convenient for those who are unfamiliar with it.

There are two free car parks, so you do not need to worry about finding a space.

Map: Asahi-yama Park Parking No.1

On this day, we began our trail at Parking No.2. There are toilets and a vending machine here but are no bins in this park.

 

Image: Parking No.2

Image: Trailhead at Parking No.2

Trekking

The Asahi-yama Route is relatively tough compared to the Jikeikai or Ski Area Route because there are several steep sections in the early part. That said, there are checkpoints that help you reset mentally. 

Firstly, you will reach an open area with a view of Sapporo. Then, after choosing to go straight at the T6 junction, you will soon reach Umano-se (馬の背: 'horseback'). From Umano-se, you have just 1.1 km left to the summit.

Image: Steep section

The ups and downs continue for a while.

It took around 25 minutes from the trailhead to the open area.

Image: T6 junction

After passing the T6 junction, Umano-se is almost there.

If it is at weekends, there is usually someone resting here.

Image: Umano-se

You can check further information about the section from Umano-se here.

It takes around 20 minutes from Umano-se to the destination if you do not take many water breaks.

Image: Goal

After enjoying a view from Mt. Moiwa, we went back to Asahi-yama and also enjoyed a view from Asahi-yama.

Image: View from Asahi-yama - August 2026

If you have experienced both the Jikeikai and Ski Area Routes, I would recommend trying this route.