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Core city in Hokkaido, Japan
Photo: Flickr user: MIKI Yoshihito Sapporo City,Hokkaido., JAPAN https://www.flickr.com/people/mujitra/, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Asahikawa (旭川) is the second-largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. It is located at the confluence of four rivers and is surrounded by hills. It is near the centre of Hokkaido, and is a good base for visiting the nearby Daisetsuzan mountain range and the picturesque Biei-Furano area. The place has few foreign visitors, though Asahiyama Zoo attracts many Japanese tourists.
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This bus service covers three circuits in a hop-on hop-off style and takes you to the main attractions, including the zoo. The buses have an hourly frequency.
北海道伝統美術工芸村 hokkaidō dentō bijutsukōgei mura
ロマンティック街道 romantikku kaidō
The road that leads from Kaguraoka forest to the residential area of Midorigaoka is known as the “romantic road”, because of the trees that line both sides of the street, and the two wedding chapels close by. In the summer time, the trees on either side of the road create a tunnel of green over the entire road.
男山
An award-winning and the most famous sake brewery in Asahikawa. It has artefacts dating back to about 1670 and has been portrayed in Japanese block prints (ukiyo-e) of the Edo period. Sake tasting and purchase of special editions. There is a museum in the upper levels portraying historical scrolls, ukiyo-e, and sake-brewing tools.
旭川冬まつり asahikawa fuyu matsuri
Second to Sapporo's snow festival in popularity, this festival attracts ice sculpture artists worldwide and hosts the largest snow sculpture in Japan. The festival is held at the start of February.
旭橋
This is one of the three most famous bridges in Hokkaido and the only one still unchanged since it was built.
旭山動物園
The most famous zoo in Japan and the second most visited. This is a small zoo with a few enclosures. The star attractions include the polar bear enclosure where the bears can be seen underwater, the seal enclosure that where you can get seals all around you, and the penguin enclosure including a glass tunnel through the pool.
北の嵐山 kita no arashiyama
Located on a hill overlooking Asahikawa to the north, this neighbourhood has several crafts workshops including pottery, glass craft, wood work, and textile. Some of these offer courses and many of them have a display area where visitors can see and buy their products.
カムイスキーリンクス
The local favorite.
This unpaved cycle trail follows an old rail line and tunnels downstream along the right hand side of the Ishikarigawa river as it cuts through the hills. Near the end of the path is the historical (tiny) train station Kamuikotan. About 20 km one way.
This is a paved cycle trail upstream along the right hand side of the Chuubetsu river. The path has no major slopes except the last few hundred metres and it is set between the river bank and endless rice fields, heading towards the imposing Taisetsu-san mountain. The path ends in a wooden hill with a pond and a camping site. About 15 km one way.
旭川ラーメン村
Eight of Asahikawa's greatest ramen shops in one combined outlet
山頭火
The original shop of a popular ramen shop that has opened several branches in Tokyo and overseas.
大雪地ビール taisetsu ji-bīru
Set in an old brick warehouse near the railway station, this beer pub offers its own brewed beer in a western setting. Worth a visit only for beer lovers.
旭川モンゴル村キャンプ場
Living like a Mongol is your dream? Head for the Asahikawa Mongol camping ground! Besides sleeping you can also do some paragliding and yurt construction.
ととのうプレース
Laid-back, small town hostel with open-minded owners who speak excellent English. It is 5-minute walk from train station. Camping is also possible.
A large mall next to the train station. Very convenient for all kinds of shopping.
This shop features traditional Japanese toys and decorations. The upper floor showcases a collection of fine dolls in porcelain and silk.
淳工房 junkōbō
This white building showcases crafted glass made in the premises. Their sake glasses made to resemble icicles are very popular.
大雪窯
This shop displays an extensive collection of fine pottery. If you cannot make it to the shop, there are some items for sale at Seibu, in the city centre.
By train
is the terminus of the JR Hakodate Main Line to Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate.
By bus
Chuo Bus Service and JR buses offers frequent (every 20 minutes or so) bus service from the Sapporo JR Station for ¥2500 (¥470 round trip). It takes just over 2 hours.
On foot
Most of the sites are easily accessible by foot from the main train station, though others like the zoo, Otokoyama brewery, and the ski resorts need a bus or taxi.
By bicycle
Most of the town is in flat land and cycling is easy in summer. Cycling is allowed in the pedestrian lane of all streets, and some streets have special bicycle lanes.
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Higashikagura · Regional · AKJ
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