Moai Statues in Sapporo? Yes, Really, and Here’s How to Visit
Last Updated on March 6, 2026 by Charlotte
When I sent photos of giant Easter Island Moai heads to the family group chat, the responses came in fast.
Where ARE you?
Japan, I typed back. Hokkaido, specifically, in a cemetery just forty minutes outside of Sapporo! Somehow, improbably, there are giant Moai statues in Sapporo, and seeing them in person feels every bit as surreal as you’d hope.
These moai range from 6.5 to 9.5 meters( about 21–31 feet) tall, each with its own subtly distinct expression, and they are completely, gloriously out of place in the best possible way, especially in the snow.
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Why Are There Giant Moai in Hokkaido?
The official explanation is that the moai statues honor ancestors and connect the living to those who came before, which is a symbolism that maps reasonably well onto both Polynesian and Japanese concepts of ancestor reverence. This is either a deeply considered philosophical statement or a very elegant explanation for a decision that was made for reasons lost to time.
What I can tell you is that 33 is considered a spiritually significant number in Japanese Buddhism, which is presumably why the count stops there rather than trying to make the same number of moai found on Rapa Nui. I guess that they had to draw a line somewhere, and thirty-three felt just right.
Makomanai Takino Cemetery is a real, active cemetery, and people have their family burial plots here. It gets busy during Obon season when families come to pay respects, but it is also, somehow, one of the more popular tourist attractions in Hokkaido, which says something about either the cemetery or Hokkaido, and I’m not sure which.
We walked into the visitor center upon arrival, still enjoying the memory of the row of stone giants we’d just passed. Inside, a large sign greeted us cheerfully:
TODAY ONLY: 50% off your burial plot!
We did not take them up on it. We had a flight to catch.
Practical Information For Visiting the Moai in Sapporo
If you want to see something surreal without too much effort, this is a very doable detour on your trip to Sapporo. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Getting There
Getting to the Moai in Sapporo is easy by public transit, car, and group tour. We chose to take public transit for our own visit.
By Public Transit
The Moai at Makomanai Takino Cemetery are about 40 minutes from central Sapporo by public transit. Take the Namboku Line to Makomanai Station (the last stop, N16). From Makomanai Station (Namboku Line terminal), the two buses most people take to reach the cemetery are:
- Bus 108 (Shin-108 Takino Line) – goes directly into Makomanai Takino Cemetery and stops near the Hill of the Buddha.
- Bus 106 (Takino Line) – runs along the main road outside the cemetery, and you walk a short distance to the Moai entrance.
Both buses leave from the Makomanai Station bus terminal and take roughly 20–30 minutes.
Both the subway and the bus to the Moai statues accept IC / Suica to tap on and tap off to pay your fare.
Travel tip
In terms of crowds, the morning bus right at opening is fine with plenty of seats and breathing room. The return bus around 4pm is a different situation entirely. We’re talking standing room only, no handles to grab, and a level of human compression that reframes everything you just felt about personal space.
By Car
The moai are about a 40-minute drive from JR Sapporo Station. Paid parking is available at the cemetery for 500 yen per car.
By Group Tour
The Moai are a super popular stop on many of the group bus tours that depart from Sapporo Odori Station. If you aren’t comfortable with driving in snow, and would prefer not to ride on public transit, these could be a great fit for you. I’ll drop some good options below:
Hours & Admission
The Moai statues are free to visit whenever the cemetery gates are open — typically 7:00 AM–7:00 PM from April to October and 7:00 AM–6:00 PM from November to March.
Some of the other attractions inside the cemetery grounds, like the Hill of the Buddha, keep shorter hours, but the Moai themselves are accessible as long as the gates are open.
Facilities & Accessibility
There are multiple restrooms and cafes across the cemetery grounds, so you’re well covered on that front. While the official website notes that wheelchairs and strollers are permitted, the reality on the ground can be trickier, especially in winter.
The site is large, the attractions are spread out, and snowy or icy paths can make getting around difficult for visitors with limited mobility. If accessibility is a concern, visiting in summer or autumn will likely be much more manageable.
Was It Worth the Trip?
Yes, and not just because it’s one of the strangest things you’ll stumble across near Sapporo. Travel Buddy is of both Pacific Islander and Japanese heritage, so standing in front of a row of Moai statues in Hokkaido felt like a small cultural glitch in the matrix.
Moʻai statues are most famously associated with Rapa Nui, thousands of miles away in the Pacific, and I had always assumed that if we ever saw Moai together, it would be on Easter Island first.
Instead, our first moai encounter happened in a snowy cemetery outside Sapporo.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Hokkaido?
Before you go, check out my full guide on where to stay in Sapporo (including a hotel that has a BOTTOMLESS snow crab buffet, yes, I was a little piggy), my guide to Noboribetsu Jigokudani, and my Niseko vs Furano vs Hakuba comparison guide to help plan the rest of your Hokkaido trip. Hokkaido is one of my most favorite places on earth, and I am so excited to share more with you!
