Asahidake is the tallest peak of the Daisetsuzan mountain range in central Hokkaido. Incidentally, this Daisetsuzan area is designated as Japan's largest national park. The region's high altitude creates an environment comparable to that of the 3,000-meter peaks found on Honshu, Japan's largest island. Nearly 250 species of alpine plants, and about 40% of Japan's total alpine flora, are said to be in this area.

The Ainu people have called this area “Kamuimintara (the garden where the gods play)” for its mystical landscapes and beautifully blooming alpine flowers.

Asahidake is the highest peak in Hokkaido, standing at 2,291 meters above sea level. It’s a rather popular destination, drawing in tourists and climbers both from within Japan and all around the world. Official climbing season usually begins on the third weekend of June and lasts until late September-early October, right before the snow starts to fall. To the west side of the mountain is a hot spring town, with a ropeway operating between there and the 1,600-meter-high point.

Get to the hot spring town by taking the Asahikawa Electric Railway shuttle bus, Ideyu-go. It also conveniently runs between JR Asahikawa Station and Asahikawa Airport, making it a practical option for travelers coming from the Asahikawa and Higashikawa areas. The shuttle operates three round trips daily, so be sure to check the schedule in advance before your trip.

For those coming from Tokyo, we recommend taking a direct flight to Asahikawa Airport. If flying in from Osaka or another city, use New Chitose Airport.

The Onsen Town, located halfway up Mt. Asahidake at an altitude of 1,100 meters, remains pleasantly cool all summer long. Average temperatures range from 10-15 degrees Celsius during hiking season from June to September, while they can drop as low as 5 degrees Celsius in May and October.

Given the significant temperature differences in comparison to the central Higashikawa area at the mountain's base, you’ll want to dress in layers that are easy to put on and remove as necessary. Even in the summer, long sleeves may be needed, as well as a jacket or windbreaker for windy conditions.

Winter temperatures tend to drop below freezing, with January averaging around -13 degrees Celsius with lows around -20 degrees Celsius. If visiting during these harsher seasons, be sure to bring a heavy down coat, scarf, and knitwear to stay warm.

Here are six fun things you can do in the Asahidake area. From exciting activities to hot springs and dining, there’s a number of ways for you to experience the natural beauty of Hokkaido.

The first thing you’ll want to do upon arriving is hop the Asahidake Ropeway for a panoramic birds-eye view of the Asahidake area!

Enjoy a 10-minute aerial journey from the base station at the edge of the hot spring town to Sugatami Station at 1,600 meters. Inside the gondola are monitors showing images of the national park's flora, with audio commentary in Japanese and English. Listen to the insightful narrative as you take in the landscape below, and make your ascent to the summit station in no time!

There’s a walking course available from Sugatami Station that stretches about 1.7 km around, and takes about an hour to complete. The route is easy to walk, even for beginners, and offers the chance to admire the alpine flora and mountain views all throughout your stroll.

The ropeway operates during winter season from late October to early May, when the area is typically covered in snow. During this time, visitors can experience high-quality powder snow and if conditions allow, may even witness stunning natural phenomena like "diamond dust!”

The facility is easily accessible for international visitors, with displays in English and brochures available in seven languages: Japanese, English, traditional and simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Indonesian. The website is also available in Japanese, English, traditional and simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Tagalog.

The Asahidake area offers a variety of tours designed to let visitors enjoy its natural beauty to the fullest. One of these is the Sugatami Guided Walk, available at the Asahidake Visitor Center. This tour is easy to join and comes highly recommended.

During the Sugatami Guided Walk, participants will ride the ropeway up to Sugatami Station for a guided tour of the scenic trail. This leisurely two-hour walk gives visitors a detailed commentary about the seasonal flowers and the surrounding mountains that can be seen from various lookouts along the path.

Before booking your tour, be sure to check the event calendar online to see which are available in Japanese or in other languages. Participants can register for available tours on the same day. The Asahidake Visitor Center offers all kinds of tours, including nature trail walking tours in the hot spring town, as well as seasonal tours. We encourage you to join any tours that pique your interest for a deeper look into the Asahidake area and all it has to offer!

The Asahidake Visitor Center is located right in front of the Asahidake Ropeway base station, with English-speaking staff on-site, and a website available in five languages (Japanese, English, traditional and simplified Chinese, and Korean).

Inside you'll find informative displays about the history of the national park, its flora and fauna, and current blooming conditions. The facility also offers rentals of trekking gear, such as boots and poles. Whether participating in a tour or exploring on your own, a stop at the visitor center is highly recommended!

After your trek, it’s time to unwind with a soak in the springs! Asahidake Onsen-kyo, located halfway up Mt. Asahidake, is a hot spring town with a long history, having been discovered and opened in the 1910s.

Asahidake Onsen Hot Spring Village offers several accommodations where visitors can enjoy day trips to the hot springs. Asahidake Onsen Hotel Bear Monte, located at the eastern end of the resort and just a 3-minute walk from Asahidake Ropeway Sanroku Station, is ideally situated close to the ropeway and visitor center, making it an excellent choice for a relaxing soak after a day of sightseeing or trekking.

Asahidake Onsen is a sulfate spring, which is considered one of the "three major features of beauty spring" for its skin-enhancing benefits. The water is clear and colorless, offering a range of therapeutic effects such as improving blood circulation, relieving muscle pain and fatigue, enhancing cold tolerance, and soothing cuts and burns.

The large bathhouse at the hot springs features two bathtubs, providing a spacious environment for a relaxing soak. It’s well-equipped with amenities like shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers, along with towel rentals priced at 110 yen for face towels and 220 yen for bath towels.

There are three types of saunas: a self-löyly style dry sauna, a mist sauna, and a newly-built open-air sauna was of February 2024, all of which offer a variety of ways to relax surrounded by nature.

Please note that photography is strictly prohibited in the baths, and cell phones are not allowed in the bathing areas.

If you have the time, we also recommend an overnight stay at Asahidake Onsen. Guests can choose from five room types, including those with living areas and maisonette-style rooms with mini-kitchens, which are great for longer stays. Incidentally, this area is one of Japan’s leading producers of wood furniture, with the rooms cozily furnished with locally made Asahikawa furniture.

The hotel’s restaurant features the seasonal flavors of Hokkaido, using local vegetables and rice. There's also a library and workspace exclusively for hotel guests, with over 200 books available for your perusal.

The hotel also has English-speaking staff on-site, with translation tools provided in the event that they are not available. The website is also available in multiple languages, including Japanese, English, traditional and simplified Chinese, and Korean.

The Daisetsuzan area is known for its abundant water sources. Amongst these are Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui, which springs from the base of Asahidake and is beloved for its famous waters. This water comes from the rain and snow that seeps deep into the mountain over time, and slowly makes its way to the foot of the mountain.

Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Koen is a park where this underground water naturally surfaces. Located west of Asahidake, this spot is on the way from the center of Higashikawa Town to the hot spring resorts. It's a perfect place to stop by either on your way back from hiking or soaking in the springs.

The underground water from Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Koen springs is freely accessible to the public, with an intake site near the parking area that draws its water from a spring at the park's rear. It is available year-round.

If you’re visiting in the spring or fall, consider a leisurely stroll to the spring's source at the back of the park. It’s a short, 5-minute walk from the water intake area along a tree-lined path, which leads directly to the spring.

You can fill your bottles with water directly from the source, which is noted to be about one degree cooler than the water at the park's entrance. Indeed, when touched, the water feels noticeably cooler, so bringing an empty bottle to refill here is a practical idea, especially for those planning a trek!

Higashikawa Town, extending west from Mt. Asahidake, thrives on its abundant water resources, even at its central location. The town leverages this wealth of water for growing rice and vegetables, as well as for daily use, drawing groundwater directly from the Daisetsuzan Mountains.

Below we will introduce some of Higashikawa Town's specialties made with this fresh, delicious water. Conveniently located along the routes connecting Asahikawa Station and Asahikawa Airport to Asahidake, Higashikawa is an easy and worthwhile stop for travelers.

First up is the Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Pudding (380 yen including tax) from Tengetsu-an, a shop specializing in sweets made with ingredients from Higashikawa Town.

Tengetsu-an is a beloved cake shop located in the heart of Higashikawa Town. The owner is deeply passionate about their hometown, and is committed to crafting sweets that showcase Higashikawa’s rich, locally-sourced ingredients. The Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Pudding seen above was inspired by the desire to craft desserts in the image of Mt. Asahidake in the town at its base, making use of its pure water as the main ingredient.

The special feature of this pudding can be found at the bottom, where you’d typically expect to find caramel sauce. However, unlike your standard pudding, this treat features a clear gelatin made from Asahidake source water instead! This gelatin is mildly sweet and melts in your mouth, giving the unique sensation of "eating water." It’s simple in both appearance and taste, making it an ideal treat during the hotter months!

Although the shop doesn't have indoor seating, customers may enjoy their pudding on the benches just outside, or at the roadside station rest area across the street.

As a town that is also famous for its rice production, Tengetsu-an also sells lightly sweet chiffon cakes using Higashikawa rice flour. We highly encourage visitors to try these delicacies, all crafted with only the finest local ingredients!

The Michi-no-Eki Higashikawa Michikusakan, located just across from Tengetsu-an, also features specialties made with the local water.

Inside the building, you'll find a sales section dedicated to local products. They offer a variety of specialties, including agricultural products like rice and vegetables, as well as processed foods, beverages, and various other goods. English-speaking staff may also be available depending on when you visit.

Now let’s take a look at some of the noodles produced by local makers in Higashikawa Town. Noodle production in this area is booming, making use of the fresh, delicious water from the Daisetsuzan Mountains that enhances the natural, simple flavors of the ingredients. You’ll find a variety of fresh udon, cold wheat noodles, and dried ramen noodles here, along with a super-popular brand of fresh udon and pasta noodles crafted by a tofu shop with nearly 80 years of history.

Visitors can also take home some of the famous water as a souvenir, sold in plastic bottles, including a sparkling variety. The sparkling option comes in two types that differ in carbonation, while the packaging design is inspired by the shape of Mt. Asahidake, making it a great souvenir. Daisetsu’s groundwater is used in various other local products as well, including craft beer and room fragrance sprays.

At the Michi-no-Eki, you can find information about Higashikawa's attractions and events, as well as area maps. So even if you’re not particularly looking for souvenirs, it’s well worth stopping by to get some more ideas for the rest of your sightseeing trip!

While Asahidake is indeed famous for its fall foliage, there's another great spot in the area worth visiting: Tenninkyo! Located on the southeast side of Asahidake near the upper stream of the Chubetsu River which flows from Chubetsu-dake, Tenninkyo offers stunning autumn scenery of its own. To get there, take the road that runs east along the Chubetsu River. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Asahidake Gensui Park.

About 30,000 years ago, a massive eruption occurred, and the lava and magma that cooled and solidified formed cracks that created columnar joints. In early October, the trees growing around these rock formations turn yellow and red, transforming into a striking view where the powerful rock structures blend beautifully with the colorful autumn leaves.

Along the Chubetsu River is a public parking lot where you can also find the free footbath, Tennyo no Ashiyu. After walking around the area to bask in the autumn leaves, it's a great spot to relax and dip your feet!

The footbath overlooks the Chubetsu River, offering a stunning view of the rocks across the river as you relax your tired feet. As you soak, sit back and enjoy the surrounding the autumn foliage as you let the fatigue of the day melt away.

Please note that some walking trails in the Tenninkyo area are currently closed, so be sure to check the latest updates before your visit.

The trail leading to Hagoromo Falls, located further upstream from the Tenninkyo area, is currently closed.

However, the trail to Takimidai, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hagoromo Falls, remains open to visitors. But the hike is rather steep and takes about 1.5 hours, so be sure to wear proper hiking footwear.

Temporary public restrooms in the Tenninkyo area are closed. Nearest restrooms located in Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Park.

Foot baths are open 24/7, however, as there is no lighting at night, daytime use is recommended.

Most of the spots introduced here today are within the national park. Please be mindful of the guidelines below to help preserve the natural environment during your visit.

Majestic mountains and the beauty of nature await! In the Asahidake area, not only can you immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery, you can also soak in the springs, drink underground waters, and indulge in local cuisine. If you're looking to fully experience the natural beauty of Hokkaido, this is the place to be!


Photography by Kosuke Otani
Text and editing by Minna no Kotobasha


English translation by Krys Suzuki