Sapporo South District Cycling
and Light Mountain Climbing Tour - In Search of Pioneering History

The South District of Sapporo covers about 60% of the total land area of the city. The majority of it consists of forest resources, and as a result the district beautifully harmonizes urban attractions and nature.

Pioneers first settled along the Toyohira River in the late 1700s, and later roads were extended when hot springs were found in the Jozankei area in the late 1800s. The Tsukoya House (later known

as the Kuroiwa Residence) was built at Misumai along the old highway (the current National Highway 230) as a resting and lodging place for people and horses traveling from Sapporo to Jozankei and Toya.  The House was later granted to the Kuroiwa family to reside in/operate by the government. Today the House is remarkably well-preserved in its original shape, and Mr. Kuroiwa, a descendant of the family and the current manager of this historic landmark, will tell us fascinating stories of local history, culture and life.

When the Winter Olympic Games were held in Sapporo 49 years ago, Makomanai Park was a major venue for competitions. Today in 2021, another Olympic year, we still feel the legacy of Olympic history.

Thanks to the efforts of the Hokkaido Development Commission, Sapporo Nanseki (a kind of tuff) was discovered around Mt. Hakkenzan and the Ishiyama Ryokuchi area. Therefore Sapporo’s South District has been developed together with the Nanseki mining industry, and it is along these footpaths stamped by local pioneering history that we will explore.