The park was the central site for the first Winter Olympics ever held in Asia.
The Sapporo Salmon Museum includes a transparent observation window allowing visitors to view live salmon migrating upstream in the nearby river during the autumn season.
The park's design was part of an extensive urban development project intended to modernize Sapporo's infrastructure following the 1972 Games.
The site contains over 15,000 trees, including extensive stands of Yezo spruce and Japanese oak, which create a significant natural forest buffer in southern Sapporo.
Makomanai Park is a sprawling municipal park in Sapporo that served as the primary venue for the 1972 Winter Olympics. The site features the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. It is home to the Sapporo Salmon Museum, a dedicated educational facility focusing on the life cycle of chum salmon and the history of salmon conservation in the Toyohira River. The park spans over 85 hectares, encompassing dense woodlands, walking trails, and open fields. Large bronze sculptures commemorating the 1972 Olympics are positioned throughout the grounds. The Toyohira River flows through the park’s eastern edge, providing a natural corridor for migratory wildlife. It functions as a multipurpose recreation hub for local residents, featuring baseball fields and tennis courts.
The Olympic flame pedestal monument located near the center of the park grounds.
Visit during late autumn if you want to witness the salmon migration peak in the Toyohira River.
Bring a bicycle if you intend to traverse the entire park area, as it is expansive and hilly.
Check the official website for arena event schedules, as large sports competitions can restrict access to certain park pathways.
Do not attempt to feed the wildlife or enter the salmon spawning channels in the river, as these are strictly protected areas.
The Sapporo Salmon Museum is closed on Mondays and during the New Year holiday period; the park itself is open year-round.
