Autumn Leaves at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium

Typical peak

Mid to late October

Stadium grounds

Free (observation lift is paid)

Area

Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

What is Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium?

Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium was the venue for ski jumping at the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. It is still an active jump that hosts international competitions today.

At the top of the jump is an observation deck, which you can reach by the same chairlift the athletes use. From the deck, 307 m above sea level, you can look out over Sapporo and the Ishikari Plain, and on clear days as far as Ishikari Bay. At the base is the Sapporo Olympic Museum, which covers winter sports and the history of the Olympics.

The stadium is named after Kishichiro Okura, the businessman who funded the construction of the jump with his own money.

Autumn colors on October 31, 2026

It was a clear day, and the trees on the hills around the jump were mostly yellow and orange, with some red here and there. The colors stood out beautifully against the green in-run and the stepped spectator slope.

This photo was taken from the plaza at the base. You can enter this area for free, so you can enjoy the jump and the autumn leaves together without riding the lift.

When is the best time to see the leaves?

The leaves at Okurayama usually peak from mid to late October. The exact timing shifts each year with the weather.

How to enjoy it

Look up at the jump from the base

From the plaza at the base, you can see the whole in-run and landing slope from the front. In autumn, the jump is framed on both sides by colorful hills, just like in the photo.

Ride the lift to the observation deck

The lift to the observation deck takes you up past the autumn-colored slopes to the top. From the deck, you can look down on Sapporo from the same viewpoint as the jumpers. Lift tickets are sold at the ticket counter at the base.

Sapporo Olympic Museum

At the Sapporo Olympic Museum at the base, you can learn about the 1972 Sapporo Olympics and see winter sports exhibits. Visiting both the observation deck and the museum is a popular combination.

Basic information

Name

Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium (Okurayama Observatory)

Address

1274 Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

Fees

Entry to the stadium grounds is free. The observation lift and the Sapporo Olympic Museum are paid. Please check the official website for prices.

Hours

Hours change by season. From November to April, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Please check the official website for the latest hours.

Note

The lift does not run on ski jumping competition and official practice days. It may also stop in bad weather.

Parking

Available (113 spaces for cars). Not available during competitions.

Phone

+81-11-641-8585 (Okurayama information, Japanese)

Official website

Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium

Getting there

By subway and bus

From Maruyama-Koen Station on the Tozai subway line, take the JR Hokkaido Bus “Kuramaru” and get off at Okurayama Jump Stadium. The ride takes about 15 minutes.

By car or taxi

You can drive from central Sapporo. The jump is on a hillside, so being able to ride all the way to the base makes the visit easier.

Okurayama is on the west side of Sapporo, while Benizakura Park and Nishioka Park are on the south side. By car, you can visit Okurayama and other autumn spots in a single day.

Before you go

• The observation deck is 307 m above sea level and can be windy. Even in autumn, bring an extra layer.
• The lift does not run on competition and official practice days. If you want to go up to the deck, check the schedule on the official website.
• In late October it starts getting dark in Sapporo around 4:30 pm. For the best autumn colors, visit around midday when the sun is out.

More autumn leaves in Sapporo