A must-read for anyone planning to attend a concert or sporting event at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena! This complete guide provides detailed information on access methods like subways and buses, as well as recommended hotels in convenient areas like Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino, and Nakajima Park, perfect for those traveling for events. Even first-time visitors can navigate with confidence.

Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is a dome-shaped multi-purpose facility located in Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido. Its official name is the Makomanai Park Indoor Stadium, and it was built for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. As a stadium, it hosts international-level sports competitions and ice shows, and is also widely used for concerts by popular artists, exhibitions, and more.

Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is located in the suburbs, away from central Sapporo, and is typically reached by subway and bus. The most straightforward route is to take the Namboku Subway Line from central Sapporo to Makomanai Station and then transfer to a local bus. Alternatively, you can take a local bus from Nishi-11-Chome Station on the Tozai Subway Line or Nakanoshima Station on the Namboku Subway Line. Additionally, an airport limousine bus from New Chitose Airport also stops at Makomanai Station, so if you don't have much luggage, you can travel directly from the airport.

Local bus departing from Makomanai Station

The nearest station to Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is Makomanai Station on the Namboku Subway Line. To get to Makomanai Station, take the Namboku Line bound for Makomanai from Sapporo Station, which is a transfer station for JR lines. The ride takes about 15 minutes.

Bus terminal at Makomanai Station

From Makomanai Station to Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena, it's about a 10-minute local bus ride followed by a 5-minute walk. There are multiple bus routes available: South 95, South 96, Loop 96, South 97, and South 98. All these buses depart from bus stops 6 through 9 at the bus terminal, which is located just outside the north exit of Makomanai Station. Get off at the fourth stop, "Kamimachi 1-chome," and walk for 5 minutes. Alternatively, walking directly from Makomanai Station takes about 25 minutes.

Bus stop 10 at Makomanai Station

During large events like concerts, shuttle buses may operate from Makomanai Station. In this case, they depart from bus stop 10 (which is normally a drop-off point). If they are running, buses to the venue typically operate until about 30 minutes before the event starts, and return buses run in conjunction with the event's end time.

The Nishi-11-Chome Station bus stop faces Odori Park

If you're coming from Nishi-11-Chome Subway Station, take the South 4 or South 54 bus from the "Nishi-11-Chome Eki-mae" stop. The ride is about 20 minutes to the "Akebono-cho" stop, followed by a 2-minute walk. The Nishi-11-Chome Eki-mae bus stop faces Odori Park and is about a 10-minute walk from the Odori Station area and the west side of the popular Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade. This is a recommended access method for those staying in hotels near the Nishi-11-Chome side of Odori Park or for those who want to avoid transfers. However, buses run only about twice an hour, so be sure to check the schedule in advance.

There are two Nakanoshima Eki-mae bus stops, one on each side of the road. Use the one on the far side in the photo.

If you're coming from Nakanoshima Subway Station, take the South 65 or Loop 56 bus from the "Nakanoshima Eki-mae" stop. The ride is about 20 minutes to "Makomanai Hon-cho," followed by a 10-minute walk. Nakanoshima Station is relatively close to the city center, about a 6-minute subway ride from Sapporo Station. However, the bus ride is longer compared to the one from Makomanai, and the nearest bus stop is a bit further from the arena. The bus frequency is also low, at about once an hour. While it's more convenient to go from Makomanai Station if you're already on the Namboku Subway Line, this is a useful option for those staying in hotels near Nakanoshima Station.

Among the several airport limousine bus routes connecting New Chitose Airport and Sapporo city, one of them stops at Makomanai Subway Station. Although the service is infrequent, with only 4-5 buses per day, it can be convenient for those coming from outside Hokkaido for fan events, if the timing works out. However, Makomanai Station has very few coin lockers for storing suitcases, so this option is best for those traveling very light and heading straight to the venue from the airport.

While there are no hotels within walking distance of Makomanai Station, there is one large hotel relatively close to the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena. Aside from this one option, it's generally better to look for hotels in areas like JR Sapporo Station, which offers a wide selection of hotels and easy access to various places; the Nishi-11-Chome Subway Station area, from where you can take a bus directly to the arena; or the Susukino and Nakajima Park areas, which are great for enjoying Sapporo's dining and sightseeing. Here are some recommended hotels in each of these areas.

JR Sapporo Station

The JR Sapporo Station area is the first place to look for hotels, offering a wide range of choices and excellent transportation access. Trains from New Chitose Airport arrive at JR Sapporo Station every 10 minutes during the day, and limited express trains from all over Hokkaido also terminate here. For visitors from afar, dealing with large luggage like suitcases can be a challenge, but staying in this area is convenient as you can store your bags at the hotel right before or after your JR train journey. Here are three recommended hotels in this area.

This high-rise hotel is adjacent to JR Sapporo Station, offering unparalleled access from the JR lines, better than any other hotel in Sapporo. It features high-quality rooms and restaurants, with some floors offering stunning night views of Sapporo. If you're looking for convenience and comfort, this is a top-tier choice.

The hotel is directly connected to the APIA underground shopping mall, which lies between JR Sapporo Station and the Namboku Subway Line's Sapporo Station. This means you can get to the hotel without worrying about rain or snow. Its proximity to the station and the underground mall, lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, makes it incredibly convenient. The breakfast, featuring dishes like soup curry and seafood bowls, is highly rated.

While it's a 5-minute walk to the Namboku Subway Line's Sapporo Station, this hotel is just a 1-minute walk from the west ticket gate of JR Sapporo Station, making it very accessible. Having been recently rebranded and renovated, it boasts a beautiful interior.

The west side of Odori Park is adorned with many flowerbeds and sculptures

Odori Park is a long park stretching east to west. The east end is closest to Odori Station on various subway lines, while the west end is nearest to Nishi-11-Chome Station on the Tozai Subway Line. You can get to Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena from Odori Station via the Namboku Subway Line. As mentioned earlier, you can also take a direct bus from Nishi-11-Chome Station, making hotels in this area extremely convenient. Here are three recommended hotels on the west side of Odori Park, near Nishi-11-Chome Station.

This hotel faces Odori Park, and some rooms offer a bird's-eye view of the park. Events like the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden and the Sapporo Snow Festival are held right in front, making it a perfect location for event-goers. While the nearest station is Nishi-11-Chome on the Tozai Subway Line, it's also just a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Odori Subway Station, providing easy access to anywhere.

A cylindrical high-rise hotel, its upper floors offer panoramic views of Sapporo city, with the night view being particularly breathtaking. The bus heading towards Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena stops at "Chuo-kuyakusho-mae," the stop right in front of this hotel, after departing from Nishi-11-Chome Station. This means if you stay here, you can get a direct bus to and from the arena right at your doorstep.

This hotel offers a quiet environment despite being in a city center surrounded by government offices. Its accessibility from Nishi-11-Chome Station is a plus, but its standout feature is the complimentary drink service. Guests can enjoy unlimited free drinks, including alcohol, at the hotel lounge until 11 PM.

Susukino

For those who also want to enjoy Sapporo's gourmet food and nightlife, the area around Susukino Station, two stops from Sapporo Station on the Namboku Subway Line, is highly recommended. As Hokkaido's largest entertainment district, Susukino has numerous restaurants and bars that stay open late. Here are three recommended hotels in this area.

Located on the upper floors of the "COCONO SUSUKINO" commercial complex, which is directly connected to Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line, this hotel's main appeal is its excellent access—you can reach the front desk from the subway ticket gates without stepping outside. Situated in the heart of the entertainment district, it's a perfect location for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Located across from the "COCONO SUSUKINO" complex, this hotel offers excellent access and location. Its breakfast is highly praised, featuring Hokkaido's local specialties, mini ramen, and mini seafood bowls.

Not only is it close to Susukino Station, but you can also enter the hotel from the "Sapporo Underground Shopping Mall Pole Town," which connects Odori Station to Susukino Station, providing weather-proof access. A unique feature is its welcome sweets instead of a welcome drink.

Nakajima Park

Nakajima Park is a relaxing spot where you can feel the changing seasons and the breath of nature, despite being close to the bustling Susukino district. Just three stops from Sapporo Station on the Namboku Subway Line, Nakajima-Koen Station opens up to the park's greenery. Numerous hotels surround the park, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the nightlife in Susukino while staying in a quiet, nature-filled environment. Being on the Namboku Line, access to Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is also seamless. Here are three recommended hotels in this area.

Adjacent to Nakajima Park and located right in front of Exit 3 of Nakajima-Koen Station, this hotel is extremely easy to access. It is a prestigious, long-established hotel where you can enjoy a spacious and relaxing stay. The breakfast buffet's bread and pancakes are highly popular. With Nakajima Park right at its doorstep, taking a stroll in the park before check-in or after check-out is highly recommended.

Despite its city location, this hotel features a natural hot spring public bath complete with a jet bath and sauna. One of its multiple breakfast venues is a restaurant produced by the outdoor gear brand "snow peak," where you can feel like you're dining in a sunlit forest, enjoying an outdoor atmosphere while indoors.

Located closer to Susukino from Nakajima-Koen Station, this hotel offers an environment where you can easily enjoy both a stroll in Nakajima Park and the nightlife of the entertainment district. Its breakfast is popular for featuring Hokkaido's unique cuisine, such as a make-your-own seafood bowl and Genghis Khan (grilled mutton).

When large events like concerts or sports tournaments are held at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena, accommodations in and around Sapporo become extremely crowded. While you'd ideally want to take your time searching for a hotel, for popular events, booking a room becomes a race against time. As soon as you confirm the event details, check the location and access information, and then immediately check hotel availability and make a reservation. Stay at a hotel that offers convenient travel and a comfortable stay, and enjoy the event to the fullest!

※All information is current as of July 2025.
※Events may be subject to change or cancellation. Please check the official websites before attending.

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