Okurayama Ski Jump Observatory

The Okurayama Observatory is located at the top of the ski jump at Mount Okura. It is referred to as the Start House and can be reached by the chair lifts when the stadium is not being used for competitions like the world cup or other ski jumping events. The Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium was constructed with the help of Prince Chichibu (Yaushito) who made a promise to the head of the Hokkaido University ski team, Dr. Seishichi Ono. The location was chosen and designed by the Major General Olaf, captain of the 1928 Norwegian Olympic team. At the opening ceremony in 1932, Mayor Hashimoto of Sapporo named the ski jump after Baron Kishichiro Okura as a thank you for his generous monetary contributions. The construction of the Okurayama Ski Jump helped Japan win the bid for the 1972 Winter Olympics. The ski jump was used for hosting the 90 meter “Large Hill” events during the Winter Olympics.

At the foot of the jump hill stands the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum with exhibits about the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics and winter sports in general including ski jump, bobsled, and biathlon. The museum has a variety of fun sport simulation games that cover events like ski jump, speed skating and hockey. These games can be played for free, after the museum entrance fee.