Asahidake is Hokkaido's tallest peak, standing at an impressive 2,291 meters. Located near the center of Hokkaido, this area is part of a mountain range collectively known as Daisetsuzan. The region, filled with majestic peaks and stunning alpine flora, is designated as Daisetsuzan National Park.

Visitors can easily access Asahidake's Sugatami Station, located at around 1,600 meters, by taking the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway from Sanroku Station at approximately 1,100 meters. Taking the ropeway means you can enjoy the scenic walking trails near Sugatami Station without needing to climb. Highlights of the area include the mountain's official opening in June, the Chishimazakura (one of Japan's latest-blooming cherry blossoms) in mid-June, breathtaking autumn foliage from late August to early October, and world-class powder snow during winter.

Daisetsuzan National Park is home to roughly 250 species of alpine plants, which account for about 40% of Japan's total. Many of these can be observed along Asahidake's walking trails. The area also serves as a habitat for rare species like the Japanese black woodpecker, designated a national natural treasure. To preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations, conservation efforts are actively in place, including lectures by Asahidake nature preservation staff and the maintenance of walking trails.

The Asahidake Visitor Center is your go-to facility for information on Daisetsuzan National Park, including local nature, activities, and tours. Conveniently relocated near the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway's Sanroku Station in June 2019, the center provides exhibits on seasonal plant highlights and hiking updates. It also offers guided tours to help visitors fully enjoy Asahidake's natural beauty, with English brochures available for international travelers.

You can start your trip by gathering information here, but if you're joining the Sugatami Guided Walk (more info below), the tour includes an initial orientation at the visitor center. Since the tours have set start times and can feel a bit rushed, another great option is to explore the visitor center more thoroughly after your tour wraps up.

To reach the Asahidake Visitor Center, start by flying to Asahikawa Airport. Direct flights are available from Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports, and during summer, there's one round-trip flight per day from Osaka Itami Airport and Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport.

You can rent a car or take the Asahikawa Denkikido Bus "Ideyu" Line from Asahikawa Airport or JR Asahikawa Station. This shuttle bus connects JR Asahikawa Station and Asahikawa Airport, so you can choose the most convenient boarding point for you. The bus' final stop is right in front of the ropeway's Sanroku Station, and the Asahidake Visitor Center is just a one-minute walk from there.

The shuttle bus operates three round trips daily, so be sure to check the bus line's website below for the latest schedule before planning your visit.

The Asahidake Visitor Center has a parking lot, so renting a car and driving from Asahikawa Airport or JR Asahikawa Station is also an option. However, nearby roads and parking lots can get quite crowded during the busy summer and autumn foliage seasons. Since parking spaces are limited, it's recommended to use public transportation whenever possible.

If traveling directly to Asahikawa Airport is difficult, you can first head to New Chitose Airport and then continue your journey to Asahikawa from there.

By Car:
Take the E5 Do-O Expressway from New Chitose Airport IC to Asahikawa-Takasu IC. The toll road takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs approximately 4,810 yen.

By Public Transportation:
Take a train from New Chitose Airport to JR Sapporo Station, then transfer to a train heading to Asahikawa.

One of the most recommended guided tours offered by the Asahidake Visitor Center is the "Sugatami Guided Walk," which takes you along a 1.7 km, 2-hour course at an elevation of about 1,600 meters. During the walk, you'll hear informative talks about alpine plants as you stroll around scenic viewpoints and a shimmering pond. The trail is well-maintained, making it relatively easy for beginner hikers to enjoy.

The guide for our tour was Mr. Song, a staff member from South Korea. He was so captivated by Asahidake in winter that he moved to Japan. He is fluent in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese.

After introducing himself, we started with a brief explanation inside the Visitor Center. We checked out a diorama to get an overview of the course and looked at boards with information about plant blooming schedules to prepare for our upcoming walk.

Next, we headed to the Asahidake Ropeway "Sanroku" Station next to the Visitor Center and took the ropeway up to the hiking course! As we boarded, Mr. Song challenged us with a quiz:

"In the forest zone around here, there are three types of coniferous trees: 'Todomatsu,' 'Ezomatsu,' and 'Akaezomatsu.' How can you tell them apart?"

"The way to tell them apart is by the direction the branches grow. Todomatsu trees have branches that point upward, while the branches of the other two, Ezomatsu and Akaezomatsu, point downward." Of course, there are ways to differentiate between Ezomatsu and Akaezomatsu as well, so be sure to join the tour to learn more.

Through quizzes and explanations like this, you'll have fun learning about the unique vegetation of Asahidake.

Uopn arrival at the ropeway's destination, "Sugatami" station, you can listen to a lecture by the Asahidake Nature Conservation Staff. There's also a donation box for those who wish to contribute to the conservation efforts.

When you make a donation, you'll receive a postcard featuring illustrations of animals that inhabit the area. For donations of 1,000 yen or more, you'll get either a pin of Asahidake or a poster of alpine plants from Mt. Daisetsu. These make great souvenirs!

After using the restrooms at Sugatami Station, we did a quick warm-up and then set off toward the hiking course!

Now, let's dive into the highlights of the Sugatami Guided Walk, based on my personal experience on the tour. Here are the top features I'd recommend!

"The basic route is fixed, but it can be adjusted slightly," explained Mr. Song. He tailors the walk based on participants' preferences, such as wanting to see plants in bloom, observe birds, or being sure to visit Sugatami Pond. He listens to the group's interests and guides you along the best route accordingly.

"If you're hoping to spot birds, it's easier to observe them perched at the tops of the dwarf pines," Mr. Song shared. "Visiting the second and third observation decks is a great idea. The third deck is well-known as a birdwatching spot, but actually, the second deck is a hidden gem with fewer people around."

Even among the same alpine plants, their blooming times can vary depending on factors like snowmelt, so the best spots to see them change week by week. In early July, the Susoaidaira area, which branches off from the third observation deck, was at its peak for alpine flower fields. We decided to extend our walk and explore this beautiful spot along the trail.

Mountain flowers bloom beautifully right next to the walking path. Along the way, the guide provides detailed explanations about each flower's characteristics, blooming periods, and the origins of their names, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

Here we have the popular Chinguruma (Potentilla chinensis). Its name comes from the way the cottony seed heads resemble children's pinwheels. Chinguruma begin to bloom around the end of June and reach full bloom in July. This plant provides a long period of enjoyment for hikers, as you can also experience its beautiful autumn look starting in September.

This pale pink flower belongs to the Ezo no Tsuga Zakura family and is called "Ko Ezo Tsuga Zakura." It is characterized by its bell-shaped flowers. "Many alpine plants grow flowers that face downward, protecting their nectar from harsh winds and rain," explained Mr. Song. Around late June, you can see the darker pink Ezo no Tsuga Zakura and the light greenish-yellow Ao no Tsuga Zakura begin to bloom.

As we make our way to the hiking course via the ropeway, Mr. Song explained the various environments of Asahidake.

"This tour will take us through five distinct ecological zones. First, the ropeway passes over the 'forest zone,' transitioning into the 'dwarf pine zone' where low-growing trees like haimatsu (dwarf pines) dominate. The trail then leads us through the 'wind-swept area,' around the 4th observation deck, where the haimatsu become even smaller due to strong winds. From there, we'll move toward the 'sulfurous zone' near the fumaroles, and finally, we will walk through the 'snowfields' at the highest elevations."

Mr. Song's recommended area is the final one we pass through: the snowfields. This area temporarily transforms into a wetland due to the accumulation of snowmelt, creating a unique environment. "In this area, you'll see wetland plants alongside alpine flowers like chinguruma all blooming at once, creating a vibrant display of life!" he shared enthusiastically.

There are plenty of photo opportunities along the course, including flower fields and views of Mt. Asahidake from the observation decks.

At Asahidake, you can walk up close to the fumaroles. It's fun to take unique photos, like one that makes it look like the fumaroles are coming right out of your mouth!

At the far end of the hiking trail, you'll find Sugatami-no-Ike (Mirror Pond), where the surface of the water perfectly reflects the surrounding mountains. For the best photos, try shooting when there's no wind or rain, so the water is still and smooth!

Also, near Sugatami-no-Ike, the 5th observatory deck offers a great view of the surrounding mountains. On clear days, you can even spot Mt. Tokachidake to the southwest.

The 2-hour tour concludes at the ropeway's Sugimi Station. Afterward, you can either walk the hiking course once more, relax at the ropeway station, or continue exploring Asahidake depending on your schedule.

If you didn't have the chance to stop by the Asahidake Visitor Center before the tour, visiting afterward will allow you to learn more by connecting your real-life experience with the information presented.

Inside the Asahidake Visitor Center, there are displays about the history of Daisetsuzan National Park and the relationship between the mountain and local citizens. Many of the exhibits are bilingual, with information presented in both Japanese and English, and the facility also provides brochures in both languages.

At the Asahidake Visitor Center, you can easily learn about the flora and fauna of Daisetsuzan National Park through exhibits featuring specimens and videos. Whether before or after the tour, it's a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge about the area. The center also offers exclusive Montbell products and souvenirs that you can only find here. Take your time to relax and enjoy them while unwinding from your hike.

For the tour, it's best to dress in layers, such as wearing a T-shirt with a long-sleeve shirt and a windbreaker over it. The area around the 1,600-meter-high hiking course can be quite cool, even in summer, with temperatures around 15°C. It can feel colder due to strong winds or if you break a sweat during the walk, so make sure you can easily adjust your clothing for temperature variations.

The course includes stone steps and areas with steep inclines, so if you're concerned about your stamina, it's a good idea to bring trekking poles. You can also rent them at the Visitor Center for 200 yen (or 500 yen for adjustable poles). If you're interested in birdwatching, binoculars are certainly useful, and you can borrow binoculars from the center for free on the day of the tour.

In the summer, there are days with intense sunlight, so it's a good idea to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. For this tour, bringing one 500ml bottle of water should be sufficient to stay hydrated.

The ground can sometimes be slippery with rocks or muddy from melting snow, so it's recommended to wear hiking boots or rubber boots. You can rent rubber boots at the Visitor Center for 300 yen (available in various sizes for men, women, and children).

As a guideline for 2025, the Sugatami Guided Walk ran from May 20 to October 31, 2024. You can pay for the tour on the day at the visitor center's reception area. Payments can be made by cash or credit card. However, as there are no banks, post offices, or ATMs near Asahidake, it's advisable to prepare cash in advance.

In the case of bad weather, such as heavy rain or strong winds, the tour may be canceled. If this happens, you will be notified by phone or email by the guide either the day before or the morning of the tour.

Additionally, the entire walking course is located within the Daisetsuzan National Park. To help preserve the valuable natural environment, be sure to follow these rules when sightseeing:

At the Asahidake Visitor Center, in addition to the Sasagami Guided Walk, a variety of tours are offered throughout the year, tailored to each season. One of the most popular is the fall foliage trekking tour held in early September. During winter, from December to early March, several tours are available, including snowshoe and ski-shoe excursions through the forest.

Be sure to check the official website and make early reservations for the tours you'd like to join.

The "Asahidake Onsen Nature Walk" is another easy-to-join tour, similar to the Sugimike Guided Walk. This one takes you on a stroll through the forests and wetlands around the hot spring village near the visitor center. It's a shorter tour, lasting about 90 minutes, and the participation fee is 1,500 yen. If space is available, you can also sign up on the day of the tour.

For more details, please check the official website.

Exploring Asahidake with a knowledgeable guide who knows the ins and outs of Daisetsuzan National Park will undoubtedly make your experience much more enjoyable. If you visit Asahidake, be sure to join a tour for a deeper connection with nature and an unforgettable experience!

(Photography by Kosuke Otani | Text and Editing by Minna no Kotobasha)