Moerenuma Park and Isamu Noguchi - The entire park is considered to be a sculpture.
Moerenuma Park was planned as the core park in the northeastern area under the “Circular Greenbelt Concept,” which was aimed at enveloping the urban areas of Sapporo with parks and greenbelts. The construction of the park, which covers approximately 189 ha. including Moere Marsh, was fully completed in March 2005, and on July 1 of the same year, the park celebrated its grand opening.
Moerenuma Park is unique in that the park was constructed on what was once a site for a waste treatment plant. Waste landfill of the site and construction of the park’s foundation began in 1979 and 1982, respectively, and the total amount of waste brought in before the treatment plant was finally closed in 1990 was 2.7 million tons. Moere Marsh, a rainwater runoff reservoir for a flood control project of the national government, plays an important role in protecting the area from potential flood damage.
In March 1988, the sculptor Isamu Noguchi visited Sapporo for the first time. At the time, he intently observed the surface of Moere Marsh, which was still covered with snow. The landscape and the northern skyline made a strong impression on Noguchi. Living up to his expectations, the Sapporo Municipal Government entrusted the sculptor with designing the park. This was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Noguchi, who had continued contemplating about the idea of creating a park for a long period of time, eventually prompting him to enthusiastically design a “park that is considered to be one complete sculpture.” Unfortunately, Noguchi passed away suddenly in New York on December 30, 1988 after completing the master plan, but the full-fledged construction of the park according to the Noguchi’s plans began the following year.
Moerenuma Park was created in Sapporo as a landscape of dreams brought to life by merging the visions of the sculptor engraved into the vast ground together with the intention of preserving an environment rich with greenery for future generations.
General Information
Park
Hours: 7:00-22:00
(Park entrance closed at 21:00)
Open: Throughout the year
Parking Fees: Free
Admisson: Free
Moere Beach
Open: Jun.1-Sep.23
Hours: 10:00-16:00
Closed: Every Thrisday
Glass Pyramid “HIDAMARI”
Hours:
Apr. 29 - May
Weekdays 9:00-19:00
Weekends and National holiday 9:00-21:00
June - Sep.
9:00-21:00
Oct. - Nov.3
Weekdays 9:00-19:00
Weekends and National holiday 9:00-21:00
Nov. 4 - Apr. 28
Weekdays 9:00-17:00
Weekends and National holiday 9:00-21:00
Closed:
Apr. 29 - Nov. 3
First Monday on each month.*
Nov. 4 - Apr. 28
Mon.* and Dec.29-Jan.3
*Tuesday, if Mon. is national holiday.
Sea Fountain
Period: Apr.28-Oct.21
Hours:
Apr.28-May
Weekdays 10:30-45/ 13:15-55/ 16:00-15
Weekends and National holiday
10:30-45/ 13:15-55/ 16:00-15/ 18:30-45
Jun.-Aug.
10:30-45/ 13:15-55/ 16:00-15/ 19:15-55
Sep.-Oct.21
10:30-45/ 13:15-55/ 16:00-15/ 18:30-45
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To Sapporo
Via New Chitose Airport.
90-min. flight from Tokyo to New Chitose Airport.
36-min. train ride and 70-min. bus ride from New Chitose Airport to JR Sapporo Station.
JR Trains: “Rapid Airport Express” departs from New Chitose Airport for JR Sapporo Station every 15- min. and takes 36-min.
Fares: Adults 1,040 yen/ Children 520 yen.
Click here for a timetable.
From JR Sapporo Station to Moerenuma Park
Take Subway Toho Line to "Kanjo dori higashi" and transfer to"Higashi 69" or "Higashi 79*" bus on the Chuo Bus Kita Satsunae Line to "Moere koen higashiguchi(east entrance)." (Approx. 25-min. bus ride, and 10-min. walk to the Glass Pyramid).
*Passengers taking "Higashi 79" bus are sure to board the Nakanuma Shogakko-dori-bound bus.
Click here for the Subway Map
Major facilities
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Forest of Cherry Trees
This is a green zone that includes seven Play Equipment Areas, A through G, which are interconnected by paths. All of the play equipment pieces were designed by Isamu Noguchi and are beautiful enough to be called sculptures. Children get absorbed in their playing and then tire of it. When they find different play equipment pieces in the forest, however, they start running toward them. Isamu Noguchi seems to have accurately depicted this scene.
Moere Beach
A shallow pond from Isamu Noguchi’s planar form is installed in the middle of this gentle, cone-shaped site surrounded by promenades. This pond, which envisions beautiful seashore, is paved with coral. The water springs forth from three outlets in the pond and disappears on its own while making ripples. The delighted voices of children resonate here in summer.
Play Mountain
Play Mountain, which measures 30 meters in height, creates the major form for the entire park. The idea that Isamu Noguchi envisioned in 1933 and contemplated about for a long period of time was brought to realization at this park. When you climb the pyramid or granite slope reminiscent of ancient ruins, you can enjoy the magnificent landscape in the comfortable breeze.
Tetra Mound
The Tetra mound is a simple, dynamic form that consists of a triangular pyramid (13meters in height), composed of stainless steel columns, two meters in diameter, and a grassy mound. The stainless steel surface that was completed to resemble Isamu Noguchi’s fountain works in Detroit shows different expressions with changes in lighting. The adjoining square is used for events and other purposes.
Music Shell
The entire area of this hemispheric structure is a stage approximately 15 meters in diameter, where performances, such as concerts and dancing, are held. Inside the building are anterooms for performers and restrooms. The symbolic shape was designed to direct focus on the landscape at the foot of Play Mountain.
Aqua Plaza
Water springs forth from Aqua Plaza and slowly flows into the approximately 150 meter long canal. Streams are shallow, allowing visitor to dangle their feet and come in contact with water. Although it can be referred to as an extension of “California Scenario,” Isamu Noguchi’s garden piece, the water and stone square surrounded by two large mountains can also be viewed as the epitome of Sapporo.
Sea Fountain
During the creation of the park’s basic plan, Isamu Noguchi revealed, “I have been studying fountains all my life,” and thus sketched a large 48-meter fountain in the center of the park. Created in reference to a similar fountain in Miami’s Bayfront Park which closely resembles Noguchi’s vision, the Sea Fountain can also be called “a sculpture of water.” At its maximum height the fountain can reach 25 meters. The dynamic momentum and flow of water portrays the birth of life and the heavens above, giving the entire park a feeling of life.
Glass Pyramid “HIDAMARI”
Serving as the symbol of Moerenuma Park, Glass Pyramid is the central facility of this park that is considered to be one complete sculpture. Filled with sunlight, the atrium overlooks the park and creates an expansive space for rest and relaxation that is integrated with nature. This facility accommodates a gallery introducing sculptor Isamu Noguchi with visuals and books, a multi-purpose space that serves as a place for citizens’ cultural activities, restaurants, shops, etc. It is a place of exchanges, recreation and relaxation for many visitor, irrespective of the weather or the season.
About The Green Power Air- Conditioning System
Mt. Moere
Similar to the Play Mountain and Glass Pyramid, the 62-meter tall Mt. Moere constitutes a key form in the entire park as well as the only mountain landmark in the northeastern area of the city of Sapporo. Mt. Moere can be climbed from three directions and five different routes. >From its summit, you can overlook not only the entire Moerenuma Park, but the entire city of Sapporo. In winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and sledding on the mountain, making this mountain one of the main attractions for visiting the park in winter.
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About Sapporo City:
Rules to ensure an enjoyable experience
The Park belongs to everyone. Please treat it with respect.
Help keep the park clean. Please take your trash with you when leaving.
Removing plants is prohibited.
Please keep pets on a leash at all times. Please do not have your pet excrete on the lawn.Please clean up after your pet.
Please follow signs and park staff’s instructions.
