The current Makomanai Park was originally the site of a former dairy factory and farm. For the 1972 Winter Olympics it was designated as the main area for the Games, where most facilities, including the main stadium, were to be built. After the Olympics, construction of the Park began and in 1975 it was officially opened to the public.
Overview
Salmon Museum inside the park
Located in the southern part of the city, along the Toyohira riverside, in the confluence with the Makomanai River, the park contains coniferous and broad-leaved trees.
The park includes over 10 km of walking paths. It is used from spring to autumn as a walk or jogging course and in winter as a cross-country skiing path.
The Makomanai Open Stadium, sited at the center of the park, opened on 1971. The stadium hosted the Olympics Opening ceremony and the speed skating events. It is used today for speed skating competitions in the winter, and as a tennis court in the summer.
The park also contains the Makomanai Ice Arena, which opened also in 1972. The arena was inside the new venues plan and hosted during the Winter Olympics figure skating competitions, some ice hockey games and the closing ceremonies. Today, it is utilized as a concert venue and ice skating facility.
The Sapporo Salmon Museum, opened in 1984. It is located at the northwestern end of the park, and explains the fish, including its life history and its importance for the region. In the outdoor observation channel, visitors can watch salmon spawning in autumn, and newly spawned salmon alevins in the spring. The indoor aquarium exhibits rainbow trout, landlocked salmon and Sakhalin taimen species.
