Asahikawa

Hokkaido's second-largest city, with the Asahiyama Zoo penguin walk and Asahikawa ramen, and the gateway to Asahidake in the Daisetsuzan range and the hot springs of Sounkyo.

Asahikawa lies in the Kamikawa Basin in central Hokkaido and is the island's second-largest city, where the Ishikari and several other rivers meet. Winters are severe (Japan's lowest temperature on record, −41°C, was recorded here), yet summer can reach 30°C. The city itself is known for Asahiyama Zoo, soy-sauce-based Asahikawa ramen, sake breweries and furniture craftsmanship. To the east, Daisetsuzan National Park is Japan's largest national park; Asahidake (2,291 m) is the highest peak in Hokkaido, with the earliest autumn colors in all of Japan in mid-to-late September, and Sounkyo has a gorge of columnar jointing and hot springs.

Areas to explore: ① Central Asahikawa—Heiwa-dori Shopping Park, Tokiwa Park and Asahibashi Bridge, Ramen Village, the Yuki no Bijutsukan (Snow Museum) and Otokoyama Sake Brewery, 1–2 days; ② Asahiyama Zoo (about 30 minutes east of the city) and Ueno Farm in Higashikawa; ③ the west side of Daisetsuzan—the Asahidake Ropeway, Asahidake Onsen and Tenninkyo; ④ the north side of Daisetsuzan—Sounkyo, the Kurodake Ropeway, Ginga and Ryusei Falls, Obako, and the Daisetsu Kogen Onsen marsh area.

Best seasons: July–August for alpine flower fields and a cool escape from the heat; mid-to-late September for autumn colors in Daisetsuzan; December–March for the penguin walk, the Asahikawa Winter Festival (February) and the Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival (January–March), and Asahidake is also a powder skiing destination.

Getting there: Asahikawa Airport is about 35 minutes from the city; from Sapporo the JR limited express takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. Route buses run from the city to Asahidake and Sounkyo (about 1.5–2 hours each), but services are infrequent, so we recommend driving. We suggest 2–3 days; you can connect south to Biei and Furano, or go east over Sekihoku Pass to Abashiri and Shiretoko. Note: the weather in Daisetsuzan is changeable, and snow is possible in the mountains from late September; on the road from Sounkyo to Obako, watch for ice in winter.

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