Getting to Mt Moiwa from Sapporo: Streetcar, Bus, and Taxi Options

Getting to Mt Moiwa from Sapporo: Your Options at a Glance

Mount Moiwa sits about 4 kilometres from central Sapporo — close enough for a return evening trip, but just far enough that you'll need to decide on transport. The Sapporo City Tramway (市電, Shiden) is the primary option for most visitors: it runs directly from the Susukino area to Ropeway Iriguchi (ロープウェイ入口), the tram stop named specifically for the ropeway, in about 10-15 minutes. A shuttle bus connects that tram stop to the ropeway base station, and taxis offer a direct door-to-door alternative. For a guide to what awaits at the top — the panoramic Sapporo night view and ropeway experience — see the companion article. For ropeway tickets and operating hours, see the Mt Moiwa ropeway guide.

This article covers only the ground-level journey: getting from where you're staying in central Sapporo to the ropeway entrance.

Option	From Susukino	Cost	Best For
Streetcar (Shiden) + shuttle	15-25 min total	¥230 + ¥210	Budget-conscious, first-time tram users
Taxi	15-20 min	¥2,000-3,000 (~$13-20)	Late-night returns, groups of 3-4
Streetcar + walk	15-20 min total	¥230	Fit visitors, good weather

By Streetcar (Shiden): The Recommended Route from Central Sapporo

The Sapporo City Tramway (市電, Shiden) is a loop tram that runs a 8.9 km circuit of central Sapporo with 24 stops, taking about 55 minutes for a complete loop. According to the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau (札幌市交通局), the adult flat fare is ¥230 (~$1.50) for any distance, with children paying ¥110. Trams run approximately every 7 minutes during daytime hours, from around 6:00 to 23:00.

For Mt Moiwa, the stop you want is Ropeway Iriguchi (ロープウェイ入口) — the name translates to "ropeway entrance," and it's the only tram stop named for the ropeway connection. Per the Sapporo City Tramway route map (札幌市電路線図), Ropeway Iriguchi is the stop closest to the Mt Moiwa Ropeway base station, with a shuttle bus connection available from the stop.

Uchimawari vs Sotomawari: Which Loop Direction to Take

The tram runs as a one-way loop with two direction options:

• Sotomawari (外回り, outer/clockwise): The faster route from Susukino and the Odori area to Ropeway Iriguchi — about 10-15 minutes. Take this direction.
• Uchimawari (内回り, inner/counter-clockwise): Goes the long way around the loop — about 40 minutes to the same stop. Avoid this direction unless you want to sightsee the whole loop.

At tram stops in Sapporo, the direction (Sotomawari or Uchimawari) is displayed on the destination board on the arriving tram. Sotomawari (外回り) will also show destination signs in Japanese — look for the board and check that it matches the direction listed on the stop sign. Many visitors from the English-language travel community on TripAdvisor have noted that taking the wrong direction (Uchimawari) by mistake is the most common tram error in Sapporo.

Step-by-Step: From Susukino or Odori to Ropeway Iriguchi

From Susukino (closest central tram connection):

1. At Susukino Station (N08 on the Namboku Subway Line), exit to street level and look for the Shiden Susukino tram stop (市電すすきの停留場)
2. Board the Sotomawari (外回り) tram
3. Ride for approximately 10-15 minutes (around 5-6 stops)
4. Exit at Ropeway Iriguchi (ロープウェイ入口) stop

From Sapporo Station:

1. Take the Namboku Line subway south to Susukino (N08) — about 5 minutes
2. Exit and transfer to the Shiden Susukino tram stop
3. Follow the Susukino steps above

Boarding the tram: enter from the rear door (no ticket required on entry). When approaching your stop, press the stop button (降車ボタン) inside the tram. Exit from the front door and pay there — tap your IC card on the reader or place exact cash in the fare box. The driver does not make change.

Shuttle Bus from the Tram Stop to the Ropeway Entrance

The Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop is not directly at the ropeway entrance — there is a short transfer required. According to the Mt Moiwa Ropeway access page, a shuttle bus connects Ropeway Iriguchi to the Mt Moiwa Ropeway base station, with a one-way fare of ¥210 (~$1.40). Alternatively, it is possible to walk from the tram stop to the ropeway entrance; the walk takes approximately 5-10 minutes.

If you plan to take the shuttle bus, confirm the schedule at the stop on arrival — precise 2026 shuttle schedule information was not available at the time of writing. For the most current schedule, check the Mt Moiwa Ropeway access page (Japanese) before your visit, or ask at the tram stop. For full ropeway operating hours and ticket prices, see the Mt Moiwa ropeway guide.

By Taxi: Quick but More Expensive

A taxi from central Sapporo (Susukino or Odori area) to the Mt Moiwa Ropeway base takes approximately 15-20 minutes depending on traffic, at an estimated fare of ¥2,000-3,000 (~$13-20) based on 2025 data — fares may vary with fuel surcharges and traffic conditions in 2026. Taxis can be hailed on the street in Sapporo's central areas or picked up at major hotel stands.

For groups of three or four people, a taxi may approach the cost of individual tram-plus-shuttle tickets while being faster and offering door-to-door convenience. For solo or two-person travel, the cost difference relative to the tram makes the taxi significantly more expensive for a short trip.

For the return trip from the ropeway after a night view visit, taxis are easier to arrange than checking tram timing. The last Sapporo City Tramway service is around 23:00, which should comfortably cover a return from the mountain (the ropeway closes around 22:00), but confirming the exact last departure from Ropeway Iriguchi before heading up is recommended.

Practical Tips for Using the Sapporo Tram

IC card (recommended): The Sapporo City Tramway accepts Suica, ICOCA, and Kitaca. Using an IC card means you simply tap on exit without needing exact change. If you already have a Suica from another part of Japan, it works on the Sapporo tram.

Cash: The flat fare is ¥230 for adults, ¥110 for children. Exact coins are required — the fare box does not give change. Have the correct amount ready before boarding. ¥100 and ¥10 coins work; a ¥1,000 note may not be accepted.

Announcements: Tram stop announcements are in Japanese only. Count stops or track your position on the map displayed inside the tram. The Ropeway Iriguchi stop is well-positioned to find on a map — look for the loop's western section.

Winter: The tram runs year-round, including winter. In heavy snowfall, minor delays are possible. The tram is heated. For the night view specifically, clear winter nights are often the best for the panorama — so winter tram travel to Moiwa is common for this purpose.

Timing for the night view: The ropeway runs until approximately 22:00. The last Sapporo City Tramway service from Ropeway Iriguchi is around 23:00, leaving comfortable margin for a return. Check the posted schedule at the stop to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which direction do I take the Sapporo tram for Mt Moiwa?

Take the Sotomawari (外回り, outer/clockwise loop) direction from Susukino or the central Sapporo area. This reaches Ropeway Iriguchi (ロープウェイ入口) in 10-15 minutes. The Uchimawari (内回り, inner/counter-clockwise) goes the long way around — about 40 minutes to the same stop — and should be avoided.

How long does the Sapporo streetcar take from Susukino to Ropeway Iriguchi?

10-15 minutes by Sotomawari (clockwise) tram from the Shiden Susukino stop. The tram runs approximately every 7 minutes during the day. If starting from Sapporo Station, add 5 minutes for the subway connection to Susukino.

Is there a shuttle bus from Ropeway Iriguchi to the ropeway base?

Yes. According to the Mt Moiwa Ropeway access page, a shuttle bus runs from the Ropeway Iriguchi tram stop to the ropeway base station for ¥210 (~$1.40) one-way. The walk from the tram stop to the ropeway entrance is also possible in approximately 5-10 minutes. Confirm shuttle timing on-site or on the official ropeway website before your visit.

Is the tram running late enough for a night view return trip?

Yes. The Sapporo City Tramway runs until approximately 23:00, which covers the return from a typical Mt Moiwa night view visit. The ropeway closes around 22:00. Check the posted last-tram schedule at Ropeway Iriguchi before heading up to the mountain to confirm the exact final service time.

Can I use Suica or ICOCA on the Sapporo tram?

Yes. The Sapporo City Tramway accepts Suica, ICOCA, and Kitaca. Tap your card on the reader when exiting at the front door. If paying cash, the adult flat fare is ¥230 — exact change required, as no change is given.