A must-read for anyone planning to attend a live concert or watch a sporting event at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena! This article provides detailed information on how to access the arena via subway and bus, as well as recommended hotels around Sapporo Station, Odori, and Susukino, which are convenient for trips and overnight stays. This is a complete guide that even first-time visitors can use with peace of mind.

Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is a dome-shaped multi-purpose facility located in Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido. Its official name is the Hokkaido Prefectural Makomanai Park Indoor Stadium, and it was built for the Sapporo Olympics held in 1972. As it is an arena, it is used for a wide range of purposes, including hosting international-level sporting events and ice shows, as well as live performances by popular artists, concerts, and exhibitions.

Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is located in the suburbs, away from central Sapporo, so the most common way to get there is by subway or bus. The most common and easy route is to take the Namboku Subway Line from central Sapporo to Makomanai Station, 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, airport shuttle buses from New Chitose Airport also depart and arrive at Makomanai Station, so if you're not worried about luggage, you can also access the area directly from the airport.

Route buses 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 train bound for Makomanai from Sapporo Station, which is a transfer station for JR lines, and it takes about 15 minutes.

Makomanai Station bus stop

From Makomanai Station, it's about a 10-minute bus ride to Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena, followed by a 5-minute walk. There are several bus routes, including Minami 95, Minami 96, Kan 96, Minami 97, and Minami 98. All bus routes depart from bus stops 6-9, located immediately outside the north ticket gate of Makomanai Station. After boarding the bus, get off at the fourth stop, Kamimachi 1-chome, and it's a 5-minute walk. Alternatively, if you walk directly from Makomanai Station, it takes about 25 minutes.

Makomanai Station bus stop number 10

Additionally, when large-scale live concerts and other events are held, shuttle buses may operate from Makomanai Station. In these cases, they depart from bus stop number 10 at Makomanai Station (usually number 10 is the bus drop-off point). When a shuttle bus is operated, it runs until approximately 30 minutes before the event starts, and returns at the end of the event.

The bus stop in front of Nishi 11-chome Station faces Odori Park.

If you're coming from Nishi 11-chome Station, take the Minami 4 or Minami 54 line from Nishi 11-chome Ekimae, get off at Akebonocho after about 20 minutes, then walk for about 2 minutes. The Nishi 11-chome Ekimae bus stop faces Odori Park, and can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot from the west side of Odori Station or Tanukikoji Shopping Street, which is popular with tourists. There are hotels in the area, so this is a recommended access method for those staying near Nishi 11-chome Station in the Odori Park area or who want to avoid the hassle of transferring. However, there are only about two trains per hour, so it's best to check the schedule in advance.

There are two bus stops in front of Nakanoshima Station, one on the front side of the road and one on the other side. Use the bus stop on the other side of the photo.

If you are going from Nakanoshima Station on the subway, take the Minami 65 or Kan 56 line from Nakanoshima Ekimae for about 20 minutes, get off at Makomanai Honmachi, and walk for about 10 minutes. Nakanoshima Station is relatively close to the city center, about a 6-minute subway ride from Sapporo Station, but the bus ride is longer than the buses departing from Makomanai, and the nearest bus stop is a little farther away. Trains only run once an hour, so if you are taking the Namboku Line, it is more convenient to go from Makomanai Station, but this is a convenient access method for those staying at a hotel near Nakanoshima Station.

There are several routes for the airport shuttle bus that connects New Chitose Airport and Sapporo city, one of which departs and arrives at Makomanai Subway Station. There are only 4-5 buses per day, but if you time it right, it's convenient for people coming to the Dome from far away, such as outside of Hokkaido, to support their favorite idols. However, there are very few coin lockers at Makomanai Station for storing carry-on bags, so if you're heading directly from the airport to the venue, this bus is best for people with very little luggage.

There are no hotels within walking distance of Makomanai Station, but there is one large hotel relatively close to Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena. Aside from this one hotel, considering the wide range of hotel options and ease of access to various locations, it is common to look for hotels around JR Sapporo Station, around Nishi 11-chome Station on the subway, which can be reached by bus without changing trains, or around Susukino or Nakajima Park, where you can easily enjoy Sapporo sightseeing, including gourmet food. We will introduce recommended hotels for each area.

JR Sapporo Station

The area around JR Sapporo Station is the first place to look for, as it offers a wide range of hotel options and good transport access. Trains from New Chitose Airport arrive at JR Sapporo Station every 10 minutes during the day, and express trains from all over Hokkaido also depart here. For those visiting from afar, one issue is what to do with large luggage such as suitcases, but if there is a hotel in this area, it is convenient as you can leave your luggage just before or after getting on or off the JR train. We have picked out three recommended hotels in this area.

This high-rise hotel is adjacent to JR Sapporo Station and offers better access from the JR line than any other hotel in Sapporo. It combines high-quality guest rooms and a restaurant, and depending on the floor you can enjoy the Sapporo night view. This is a top-class hotel when it comes to convenience and comfort.

The hotel is directly connected to the underground shopping mall "APIA," located between JR Sapporo Station and Sapporo Station on the Namboku Subway Line, so you can get there without worrying about the weather. It's conveniently located close to the station and the underground shopping mall, which is lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. Their breakfast menu, which includes soup curry and seafood bowls, is highly rated.

The hotel is easily accessible from Sapporo Station on the Namboku Subway Line, but only a 1-minute walk from the west ticket gate of JR Sapporo Station. Having undergone a recent rebranding and renovation, the hotel has earned a reputation for its beautiful interior.

The west side of Odori Park has many flower beds and sculptures.

Odori Park stretches from east to west, and the nearest station to the east is Odori Station on various subway lines, while the nearest station to the west is Nishi 11-chome Station on the Tozai Subway Line. Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena can be accessed from Odori Station on the Namboku Subway Line, and as mentioned above, you can also take a bus from Nishi 11-chome Station to the nearest station without changing buses, so hotels around Nishi 11-chome Station are very convenient. Here we will introduce three hotels around Nishi 11-chome Station, on the west side of Odori Park.

The hotel faces Odori Park, and some rooms offer views of the park from above. Events such as the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden and the Sapporo Snow Festival are held right in front of the hotel, making it a great location for attending events in Sapporo. The nearest station is Nishi 11-chome Station on the Tozai Subway Line, but it is also about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Odori Subway Station. The location makes it easy to get to anywhere.

This cylindrical high-rise hotel offers a panoramic view of Sapporo city from its upper floors, with a particularly spectacular night view. After leaving Nishi 11-chome Station, the next bus stop for the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is in front of the hotel, "Chuo Ward Office." This means that if you stay at this hotel, you can go directly to and from the bus stop right in front of the hotel.

Although the hotel is located in the city center surrounded by government offices, it is not too noisy. It is highly recommended as it is easily accessible from Nishi-11-chome Station, but the free drink service is a highlight. You can enjoy free all-you-can-drink drinks, including alcoholic beverages, in the hotel lounge until 11pm.

Susukino

For those who want to enjoy Sapporo's gourmet food and nightlife, we recommend the area around Susukino Station, just two stops from Sapporo Station on the Namboku Subway Line. As the largest downtown area in Hokkaido, Susukino has many restaurants that are open until late at night. We've picked out three recommended hotels in this area.

The hotel is located on the upper floors of the commercial facility "COCONO SUSUKINO," which is directly connected to Susukino Station on the Namboku Subway Line. Its easy access means you can reach the front desk without having to go outside after exiting the subway ticket gate. Located right in the heart of the downtown area, it's an ideal location for shopping, dining, and going out for fun.

Located across from the commercial facility "COCONO SUSUKINO," the hotel offers excellent access and location. Its breakfast, featuring local Hokkaido delicacies, mini ramen, mini seafood bowls, and more, is highly rated.

Not only is it close to Susukino Station, but you can also enter the hotel from the Sapporo Underground Shopping Mall Pole Town, which runs from Odori Station to Susukino Station, so you can access it regardless of the weather. A unique feature of the hotel is that it offers welcome sweets instead of welcome drinks.

Nakajima Park

Nakajima Park is a relaxing spot close to the Susukino shopping district, where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons and the breath of nature. Take the Namboku Line subway from Sapporo Station to Nakajima Park Station, three stops away, and the greenery of the park will spread out before your eyes. There are many hotels around the park, and it is recommended for those who want to enjoy the nightlife of Susukino while also enjoying a quiet environment close to nature. As it is on the Namboku Line, access to the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena is also easy. We have picked out three recommended hotels in this area.

Located next to Nakajima Park, it is extremely easy to access as it is right in front of Exit 3 of Nakajima Park Station. This prestigious, long-established hotel offers a relaxing stay. The bread and pancakes at the breakfast buffet are very popular. Nakajima Park is right in front of the hotel, so we recommend taking a stroll through the park before or after checking in and out.

Although located in the city, this hotel has a large natural hot spring bath that is equipped with a jet bath and sauna. One of the breakfast venues within the facility is a restaurant produced by the outdoor gear brand "snow peak," where you can feel like you're dining in the forest illuminated by the morning sun, even while inside the building.

Located near Nakajima Park Station and the Susukino area, this hotel is convenient for strolling around Nakajima Park and enjoying the nightlife in the downtown area. The hotel's popular breakfast offers Hokkaido-style cuisine, including a seafood bowl where you can arrange your own seafood and Genghis Khan.

When large events such as concerts or sporting events are held at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena, accommodations in and around Sapporo become extremely crowded. Ideally, you'd want to take your time searching for a hotel in advance, but when it's a popular event, it's a race against time to book a hotel. After checking the event information, check the location and access information, and then check the hotel's availability first before making your reservation. Staying at a hotel that is comfortable for travel and stay will allow you to enjoy the event without any worries!

*All information listed is current as of July 2025. *Each event may be subject to change or cancellation, so please check the official website before participating.

Check it out too!