Culture & Heritage Going on an Art Pilgrimage to Hokkaido

Moerenuma Park is a vast park combining nature with art designed by the sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Isamu’s goal when designing the park was to “make the entire park into one great sculpture.” The park is a beautiful sight, dotted with over 100 playground equipment sets designed by Isamu, and you can even walk to the top of the artificial mountain, “Moere Mountain,” for a view of Sapporo’s urban area. “Glass Pyramid HIDAMARI” is a monument symbolizing the park that is reminiscent of the pyramid at the Louvre Museum. Inside the pyramid, you can find an art gallery, a restaurant, and even a gift shop selling original merchandise. The pyramid has also been getting attention for its environmental friendliness, as it uses the snow that accumulates on top of it in the winter for cooling. You can enjoy the park no matter what season it is. You can watch the cherry blossoms in the spring, enjoy the autumnal colors in the fall, and have fun sledding on Moere Mountain in the winter. We recommend that you check out the “Sea Fountain,” a water sculpture that shoots out jets of water that can travel as high as 25 meters. Between April 29th and October 20th, a water show is held three or four times every day. It is worth seeing the otherworldly sight of the fountain lit up at night at least once. The park is loved, not only by the locals, but also by people who have an interest in art and design.

Within the vast, green premises of Sapporo Art Park, also known as “Sapporo Art Forest,” is an art museum, a workshop, a hall, and an outdoor stage. The outdoor art museum permanently displays 74 sculptures made by sculptors from Japan and abroad, and displays many different sights depending on the time of year. Most of the works displayed are new works designed by the artist after they visited the premises in person. The sculptures were placed in a variety of locations, keeping in mind the geography and climate. The sculptures look different depending on the season, the weather, and the time. Taking your time to appreciate all the works will give you a deeper appreciation for Hokkaido’s natural features through art. Workshops are also held at the park, so you can spend an entire day enjoying art to the fullest.

The Hill of the Buddha, also known as Atama Daibutsuden, is a symbol of Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The large Buddha statue peeking out from behind the hill of lavender draws the attention of visitors. It was designed by the architect Tadao Ando to celebrate 30 years since the opening of the cemetery. You can get a sense of the architect’s aim to stir up the imagination by emphasizing what cannot be seen. You can pass through the approach, make a stop by the beautiful rock garden, and continue into a dome through the tunnel all while enjoying the unobstructed scenery characteristic of Hokkaido to reach a large Buddha statue standing 13.5 meters tall. The inside of the dome is a place of worship, and it has a religious atmosphere. It is not just architecture fans who come to see this unique structure. Many tourists from Japan and abroad come to visit as well. There are also 33 Moai statue replicas and Stonehenge replicas in the cemetery. This is an artistic spot that we recommend for people looking to enjoy Hokkaido’s natural features with a focus on grandeur. It is located around 30 minutes from the Sapporo urban area by car, and you can stop by on your way to visit Lake Shikotsu.

Bibai city is located between Sapporo city and Asahikawa city. “Arte Piazza Bibai” is an outdoor sculpture museum constructed by renovating an abandoned wooden school building in Bibai and provisioning the surroundings. “Arte Piazza” is the Italian term for an art plaza. The plaza is home to over 40 sculptures made from marble and bronze by Kan Yasuda, a sculptor from Bibai city residing in Italy. You can take your time to appreciate each and every sculpture brought in from Italy while enveloped by the rays of sunlight and the rustling of the leaves of the poplar trees disturbed by the refreshing breeze in the summer, while surrounded by the colors of autumn decorating the hills on all sides in the fall, and while enjoying the vast snowy landscape in the winter. The open space is unobstructed by fences and does not require an entrance fee, so you can catch up on your reading or take peaceful strolls on the premises, enjoying a luxurious time at your leisure. Kan Yasuda continues to vigorously develop this space driven by his love for his town.

The Di-Maccio Art Museum is a museum surrounded by the rich natural environs of Hidaka, Hokkaido that combines digital technology with art to provide an entertaining experience. The museum was constructed by renovating an abandoned elementary school. The museum is home to over 200 of the greatest works by Gérard Di-Maccio, a leader of the French visionary art movement. Of his many works, the most notable is the world’s largest oil painting that is 9 meters tall and 27 meters wide currently on display inside a building that was formerly used as a gymnasium. This fantastical painting impressed the world when it was first unveiled in 1997 at the Acropolium of Carthage. The otherworldly light and sound show surrounding this masterpiece that is held eight times every day is a must-see! There are also many other sites of interest, like the Glass Museum constructed by renovating the pool, as well as the Sculpture Park and Observatory Plaza located outside. The many cats that prowl the premises will sometimes give you a tour of the museum.