Hokkaido

Daisetsuzan National Park

PIXTA

Daisetsuzan National Park is the largest mountain park in Japan and stretches across central Hokkaido. Daisetsuzan is a mountain range whose main peak is Asahidake, the highest peak in Hokkaido, and includes the headwaters of the Ishikari and Tokachi Rivers, which represent Hokkaido, and is referred to as the roof of Hokkaido. The national park can be roughly divided into the Omote-daisetsu area, the Tokachidake mountain range area, and the Higashidaisetsu area. Omote-daisetsu area is the core of the park and includes the Daisetsuzetsu volcano group centering on Asahidake and the magnificent mountain top plateau located in the south, with large mountains and deep canyons that overwhelm people with their presence. The Tokachidake mountain range is a group of volcanoes with the active volcano Mt. Tokachi in the center, and the view of the mountain range from Biei and Kamifurano at the foot of the mountains over farmlands and forests is spectacular. The Higashi-Daisetsu area is located in the Tokachi River basin and is a mountainous region with its own unique charms, including the Higashi-Daisetsu mountains and deep forests such as Mount Nipesotsu, Lake Shikaribetsu, Lake Nukabira, and the Tokachi Mimata Caldera. At the foot of the mountains, abundant hot springs gush out, making the area an excellent tourist base for visitors from Japan and abroad. (Source: Ministry of the Environment website https://www.env.go.jp/nature/nationalparks/list/)

Activity

Enjoy the silvery white world with a private guide at Asahidake Ski Resort!

Highlights

・Asahidake Ski Resort is a ski resort where you can enjoy sidecountry and backcountry skiing. Besides using the ropeway to ski the course, skiing off course or hiking a bit to ski from the top of another mountain is one of the fun things to do at Asahidake. In this case, a guide who knows the mountain inside out is a must. ・Asahidake's periglacial landforms are formed by the cold temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius and strong winds. It is one of nature's most spectacular sights, where snow from the harsh environment freezes like a glacier, carving away the hard bedrock of Asahidake. ・Asahidake ski resort, diamond dust can be seen on sunny days when the temperature is below -15 degrees Celsius. This phenomenon occurs when water vapor in the air freezes in an instant and falls to the ground, shimmering in the sunlight.

Detail

You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding with spectacular views in Daisetsuzan. Asahidake, you can experience an impressive silvery-white world at the top of the mountain. Asahidake in the evening is the best time to see the sun pillar shining in the landscape of mountains and clouds. Sun pillar is also called "sun pillar", and it looks like a pillar of light when the sun's rays reflect off the frozen air. Asahidake, you can see it during the ropeway ride or near the summit. For lunch, enjoy local specialties at the foot of the mountain.

Summary

Location Furano,Asahikawa

Operating Hours In the morning

Required time 5～6hours

Transportation No

Meal No

View Availability

Let's go on a Canadian canoe to see a special scenery that you can't imagine from the land! in Lake Shikaribetsu

Highlights

In this Canadian canoeing activity, you will paddle through the forest while gazing at its reflection on the water. Birds chirping, trees rustling. The view from the surface of the water is a completely different world from the one on land. A nature guide will take you to Lake Shikaribetsu, the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park!

Detail

Lake Shikaribetsu is so clear that on a clear day you can even see the rocks and fish swimming at the bottom of the lake. Enjoy canoeing on the beautiful clear lake in pairs.

Summary

Location Obihiro City

Operating Hours In the morning or In the afternoon

Required time 1.5hours

Transportation No

Meal No

View Availability

Access

How to get there

Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido is renowned for volcanoes, caldera lakes, unspoiled forests, wildlife, hot springs and the culture of the indigenous Ainu. The park has two areas: Akan in the southwest and Mashu in the northeast. Public transportation is irregular, so it's best to rent a car after arriving in Hokkaido, making it easier to reach and explore the park.

From Tokyo

"Japan's major airlines regularly fly between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Kushiro Airport (95 min) in southeastern Hokkaido, or Memanbetsu Airport (105 min). You can rent a car at either airport and drive to Akanko Onsen or Kawayu Onsen—hot spring towns with nearby lakes that serve as tourism hubs of the park. Akanko Onsen is about 60 minutes from Kushiro Airport or 70 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport via National Route 240. Kawayu Onsen is about 70 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport via National Routes 334 and 391 and 90 minutes from Kushiro Airport via Naitonal Routes 53 and 391. Buses shuttle between Kushiro Airport and Akanko Onsen. Seasonal buses run in summer and winter from Akanko Onsen to Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. Buses run from Memanbetsu Airport to Abashiri, and the JR Senmo Main Line links Abashiri and Kushiro, with a stop at Kawayu Onsen."

From Sapporo

Domestic airlines frequently fly between Sapporo's Shin-Chitose and Okadama airports, and Kushiro and Memanbetsu airports, with flights typically taking about 45–50 minutes. By rail, the Super Ozora express service takes around 4 hours 30 minutes to travel between Sapporo and Kushiro. Buses run from Kushiro to Lake Akan, or you can take the JR Senmo Main Line from Kushiro to Kawayu Onsen. Akan Bus and Kushiro Bus each operate regular services each day between Sapporo and Kushiro.