The autumn scenery woven by Hokkaido's natural beauty, especially the autumn foliage around Mount Daisetsu (Daisetsuzan) and Asahikawa, is so stunning that it feels as if you have wandered into a magical realm. Mount Daisetsu is renowned as the earliest spot in Japan for seeing autumn leaves, offering a vivid experience of the charm of Japan's four seasons. The mountains are painted in various autumn hues, welcoming us with breathtaking beauty. Every year, many tourists flock to this area, eagerly awaiting this spectacular moment.

To enjoy this magnificent natural scenery on a deeper level, the key is to have the freedom to travel by car. With a car, you can reach hidden gems and scenic spots that are inaccessible by limited train and bus routes. Driving at your own pace, you can enjoy glimpses of beautiful landscapes and take your time exploring secret places while savoring the spectacular autumn colors.

I personally visited Mount Daisetsu and Asahikawa in the fall of 2022 and had an unforgettable experience. In this article, I will share my impressions based on that trip, and I hope you’ll join me in experiencing the artistry of autumn leaves woven by Hokkaido's natural scenery.

Located near the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa serves as the gateway to the Daisetsuzan National Park, home to Mount Daisetsu—often called the "Roof of Hokkaido." Here, you can enjoy some of Japan's earliest and most vibrant autumn colors. The city itself offers fun cultural experiences, from the famous Asahiyama Zoo to local sake breweries and artisan shops. Starting your journey in Asahikawa allows you to acclimate to Hokkaido's unique blend of natural beauty and cultural charm before starting your scenic drive through Japan's wild frontier.

If flying in to Asahikawa from Tokyo, you will find a variety of car rental agencies at the airport (Budget Rent a Car, Honda Rent a Car, Nissan Rent a Car, Nippon Rent a Car, ORIX Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, Toyota Rent-A-Car, World Net Rent-A-Car). To book a rental car in advance for Asahikawa or Sapporo, visit this link.

Once your rental car is ready in Asahikawa, it's time to set off on your road trip! You might feel a bit nervous about driving in an unfamiliar place with different driving rules, but just take it slow and drive carefully.

Your first destination is the Sounkyo Visitor Center.

As you approach Sounkyo along Route 39, you will be surrounded by vibrant autumn leaves covering the surrounding mountains, the stunning beauty will take your breath away. Since the road is often quiet, feel free to stop here and there to take photos. However, don't linger too long near the entrance to Sounkyo—there's so much more to explore ahead!

At the visitor center, you can gather information about the nature and geography of the Daisetsuzan area. They also give detailed information about the changing autumn leaves, which is very useful. There is a free parking lot behind the ropeway base station, so it is convenient to use it.

After gathering information about Mount Daisetsu, take the ropeway to a higher altitude and enjoy Japan’s earliest autumn foliage. The best time to see autumn leaves is from mid-September to mid-October around Mount Kurodake in the Daisetsuzan Mountains. You can ride the ropeway up to the fifth station of Mount Kurodake, and from there, take a lift to the seventh station. This makes it accessible even for those without mountain climbing experience, allowing everyone to enjoy the spectacular views.

The view of the autumn leaves from the ropeway is truly spectacular, with the entire mountain beautifully blanketed with colorful trees. Switching to the lift brings you closer to the autumn foliage, enhancing the sense of immersion and offering an up-close experience of the earliest autumn leaves in Japan. The view from the observation deck at the seventh station is truly spectacular!

You can also witness a sea of clouds (or unkai) from this observation deck. If the conditions are right, I highly recommend visiting early in the morning to catch this breathtaking view.

Next, take a walk through Momijidani and head towards Momijidani Falls.

There is a parking lot that can accommodate eight cars at the entrance to the Momijidani trail, but it is about 1 km away from the ropeway base station, so you can also walk there. By the way, I wanted to enjoy the scenery around the ropeway, so I walked to Momijidani.

Once you reach the entrance to the Momijidani Trail, you can finally begin your hike. The trail to Momijidani Falls is about 700 meters long and takes approximately 30 minutes one way. The path is uneven, with ups and downs, as well as rocks and tree roots that can make walking challenging, so proceed with caution. Needless to say, sandals and high heels are very dangerous on this trail!

During our break on the way to the waterfall, the sunlit rock faces of the valley, the vibrant autumn leaves blanketing them, and the soothing sounds of the babbling river all combined to relax our tired bodies from the walk.

As we got closer to the waterfall, the roar became louder and more powerful. When it finally came into view, I felt a sense of achievement for making the long trek. The mist filled the air, and as I breathed in the refreshing spray, I felt completely recharged!

Your final destination for the day will be Ryusei Falls and Ginga Falls. These waterfalls are only 3.5 km (about a 5-minute drive) from Sounkyo Visitor Center, but the distance makes walking impractical, so you'll travel by car. Simply follow the signs from Route 39 and take a diagonal right turn to reach the parking lot. The falls are particularly stunning when framed by the vibrant colors of autumn.

Ryusei Falls and Ginga Falls are famous landmarks that are listed among the 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan! Sounkyo is a dramatic, cliff-lined area that stretches 24 km along the Ishikari River. Of the many waterfalls cascading down these cliffs, Ryusei and Ginga Falls stand out as two of the most beautiful, making them a must-see attraction.

The two waterfalls can be viewed from separate locations, but if you go up to Sobakudai (20-30 minute walk one way), which can be accessed from behind the rest house next to the parking lot, you can see both waterfalls at the same time. Of course, it's a spectacular view!

Hotel Taisetsu is located on the way to Momijidani, so you’ll do a bit of a U-turn. The hotel is renowned for its exceptional hot springs.

It offers three different on-site baths where you can unwind while being surrounded by nature.

When making a reservation, you can choose between a Japanese-style room or a Western-style room, allowing you to stay in the type of room that best suits your preference.

When reserving a room, try to book a plan that includes two meals.

The first stop on the second day is Asahiyama Zoo. You’ll have a long drive from the Sounkyo area back to Asahikawa.

Asahiyama Zoo, located in Asahikawa City, is the northernmost zoo in Japan and consistently ranks among the top five in the zoos in the country. Some of its popular attractions include the Polar Bear House, the Penguin House, and the Seal House.

In 1996, the zoo experienced a significant drop in visitors, reaching just 260,000, and was on the verge of closure. However, it underwent a series of reforms and has since transformed into one of Japan’s leading zoos. The key concept behind these reforms was "how to show animals," making it famous for allowing visitors to see the animals in natural and engaging ways. For example, you can see polar bears swimming underwater or seals swimming vertically in cylindrical tanks. Also, during the Penguin Walk, you can even observe king penguins walking in groups up close as they head out for food. You're sure to be amazed by the unique animal behaviors that you won’t see at other zoos!

After enjoying Asahiyama Zoo, head over to Asahikawa Ramen Village for lunch. It’s located about 7 km (a 15-minute drive) away, making it a convenient stop.

Asahikawa is famous for its ramen, characterized by white, curly noodles and a soy sauce-based broth.

At Ramen Village, you’ll find eight different ramen shops lined up, offering a variety of flavors.

Which type of ramen will you choose?

After enjoying lunch, head over to the Arashiyama Observatory.

To reach the observatory, you’ll need to drive along a narrow forest road, but you’ll be surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage, letting you really feel the season - especially with an open window to enjoy the air. However, the road is quite narrow and the surface conditions are not ideal, so proceed slowly.

The Arashiyama Observatory sits atop a small hill at an altitude of 253 meters, offering a panoramic view of Asahikawa City. It is also known as a popular spot for viewing the night view and fireworks.

The last stop of the day is Kamuikotan. The distance to Kamuikotan is about 20 km/30 min. The parking lot at Kamuikotan is easy to find, between the river and the road.

This gorge, with its many curiously shaped rocks and stones in the rapids of the Ishikari River, is called "Kamuy (God) Kotan (Village)" in the Ainu language and has long been considered a sacred place by the Ainu people.

It is also renowned as a beautiful spot for viewing autumn leaves.

You can cross to the opposite bank via a suspension bridge located near the national highway.

On the other side of the river you will find a former train station that is no longer in use. There are also many other sights to explore in the surrounding area.

While I introduced the Asahikawa area as Day 2 for this itinerary, since the popular Biei and Furano areas are close to Asahikawa, you can also enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage by visiting those areas on Day 2. If you choose this option, the following tourist spots are recommended:

Before your rental car trip in Japan, it's important to be familiar with the following basics.

If it's your first time renting a car in Japan, make sure you familiarize yourself with the process. You can find more details in the article below.

Mapcode assigns a numerical value to locations in Japan, allowing easy identification through car navigation systems. Many modern satnavs support Mapcode input, making it simpler than entering a name, address, or phone number. However, inputting the wrong number can send you to the wrong location, so always double-check your destination. Recently, I always use Mapcode when traveling to new places.

If you're planning to drive in Japan, it's important to learn the basic traffic rules for safety. I recommend the following article, which provides a clear explanation of the rules for foreigners.

Although this itinerary introduces several walking trails, you will be walking along a mountain path, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Be sure to bring the necessary trekking gear (trekking shoes, hat, sunglasses, towel, walking sticks, water bottle, map, etc.). If you don't have trekking shoes, opt for sturdy, non-slip sneakers. Also, bring a bear bell, as there is a possibility of encountering bears in Momijidani.

Here I’ve introduced you to the breathtaking natural scenery and spectacular autumn foliage around Mount Daisetsu and Asahikawa in the fall. Mount Daisetsu is among the first places in Japan to see autumn colors, and you will be captivated by the vibrant mountain landscapes. To fully enjoy this scenery, traveling by car - a flexible means of transportation - is highly recommended. So, visit Mount Daisetsu and Asahikawa by car, and enjoy a scenic drive while enjoying Japan’s earliest autumn foliage in all its glory.

Written by: Hide