Sapporo Streetcar Inner Loop from Nishi-Yon-Chōme to Ropeway-Iriguchi by Tram

The Sapporo Streetcar runs a double-tracked loop on the streets south of Sapporo Station. Heading to Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway, the Sapporo Streetcar connects the city to the cable car station nearby Ropeway-Iriguchi Tram Station, and is the most frequent public transport service to the Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway. From Sapporo Station, I took a 15 minute underground walk to Nishi-Yon-Chōme Tram Station to save on the 1-station fare on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku Line.

Nishi-Yon-Chōme Station

Nishi-Yon-Chōme Station is located on the street level above Sapporo Municipal Subway Ōdōri Station, which is the main transfer station for all 3 Sapporo Municipal Subway lines, namely, Namboku Line, Tōzai Line, and Tōhō Line.

Nishi-Yon-Chōme Station has 2 tram platforms perpendicular to each other, as it was originally a terminal station before the opening of the Toshin Line (都心線) between Susukino and Nishi-Yon-Chōme in December 2015. The Outer Loop uses the original terminal platform, coloured yellow. However, the Outer Loop is a longer journey from Nishi-Yon-Chōme to Ropeway-Iriguchi.

Instead, go to the main road for the Inner Loop platform, coloured blue. The journey from Nishi-Yon-Chōme to Ropeway-Iriguchi on the Inner Loop is shorter and more direct.

Board the Sapporo Streetcar from the rear door, and the rear of the platform.

The tourist route map of the Sapporo Streetcar.

Nishi-Yon-Chōme is the nearest station to tourists attractions around Odori Park.

Ropeway-Iriguchi is 9 stations or 22 minutes away.

The queue line to board the Sapporo Streetcar at Nishi-Yon-Chōme Inner Loop Station.

Live graphical position of every streetcar is displayed on the screen at the platform.

The timetable of the Sapporo Streetcar Inner Loop from Nishi-Yon-Chōme Station.

The route map of the Sapporo Streetcar Inner Loop, running in an anti-clockwise direction.

Access to Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway is advertised at Nishi-Yon-Chōme Inner Loop Station.

Sapporo Streetcar Inner Loop

The Sapporo Streetcar arriving at Nishi-Yon-Chōme Inner Loop Station. Boarding is front the rear door.

The interior of the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau 240 Series Streetcar, first introduced in 1960.

Flat fares apply on the Sapporo Streetcar at 200 yen for each adult. Payment is made on alighting at the front door.

Sapporo Streetcar Discount Coupon for Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway

At the ends of the streetcar, there are coupons for the Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway.

The coupon offers a special price of 1900 yen for the Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway, which is a 200 yen discount from the original 2100 yen. This roughly means that this ride on the Sapporo Streetcar is “free” in a way.

However, as I was using the Sapporo Select (さっぽろセレクト) Course A Ticket which offered a much better package discount, I did not need this coupon.

As the Sapporo Streetcar travels in a single direction at most times now, the reverse cab is not in use.

Press the bell when the stop is approaching, just like a bus.

There is a sign on board the Sapporo Streetcar telling you how to get to the Mount Moiwa Shuttle Bus Stop from Ropeway-Iriguchi.

Ropeway-Iriguchi Station

Paying my fare upon alighting from the front door at Ropeway-Iriguchi Station.

The Sapporo Streetcar continues its journey on the Inner Loop.

The thin Ropeway-Iriguchi Station platform on the Inner Loop.

Signs are around the platform to direct you to get to the Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway.

More signs pointing to Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway are present en route.

Mount Moiwa Shuttle Bus Stop

The Mount Moiwa Shuttle Bus Stop is also clearly marked.

Unfortunately, my visit to Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway was too early on a weekday before the Mount Moiwa Shuttle Bus was in service.

As such, I walked over to the Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway on foot.

The walk from Ropeway-Iriguchi Station to Sapporo Mount Moiwa Ropeway is not too far, just around 8 minutes, though it was an uphill walk.