Take a day trip from Asahikawa to Mount Asahidake, in Hokkaido, Japan. We went looking for an Autumn adventure to this mountain, but ended up with a snowy fairytale like hike.
Read on to know all about how to get to this amazing spot, entry fee and what you can do in case you stumble upon unexpected weather.
How to go for Day Trip from Asahikawa to Mount Asahidake
Hiking Mount Asahidake, the tallest peak in Hokkaido, is a one-of-a-kind experience that you can add to your Japan bucket list.
Hokkaido is a stunning and offbeat travel destination in the North of Japan. Asahikawa, a sleepy town in this northern prefecture is an unexplored gem that has a lot of offer.
Let’s take a day trip from Asahikawa all the way to Mount Asahidake, which is a part of the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group. This mountain is located in the northern part of the Daisetsuzan National Park.
Read more to know how to reach Asahikawa and the mount Asahidake.
How to Reach Asahikawa
To reach Asahikawa you can either:
- Fly to Asahikawa airport directly from cities like Tokyo. Below is a table showing you flight details.
City | Duration | Flight | Cost in Yen |
Tokyo | 1hr 55 min | Jetstar | 9,150 |
Tokyo | 1 hr 35 min | ANA | 15,208 |
- Fly to Sapporo, the capital of Hakkaido and take a bus to Asahikawa. Below is a table showing you flight details.
City | Duration | Flight | Cost in Yen |
Tokyo | 1hr 45 min | Jetstar | 5,990 |
Tokyo | 1 hr 50 min | Peach | 5,990 |
3. Take a bus from Sapporo to Asahikawa. Below is a table showing you bus details.
City | Duration | Provider | Cost in Yen |
Sapporo | 2 hrs 05 min | Chuo Bus | 2,500 |
Asahikawa is a small town, with a main station that is hard to miss. Get off there and reach your hotel by walk.
How to Reach Mount Asahidake
To reach Mount Asahidake you can take a bus from the Asahikawa station.
Take route number 66 that goes straight to Asahikawa Onsen, which is also the final stop.
Check google maps or the Japan Transit app to check other routes that are available.
Both are very reliable for commuting across Japan.
Asahikawa Onsen station is a small stop, which is also the entrance to Asahidake ropeway.
You need to take this ropeway to get to the information center which is also the starting point of your hike.
How Long Does the Ropeway Take
The ropeway takes 10 minutes from the Asahikawa Onsen station to the information center at the top.
If the weather is good, you can see clear views of the Daisetsuzan National Park.
How Long Does the Hike Take to Reach Asahidake Summit
On a good weather day, for regular hikers it can take around 4 hours (to and fro mountain top). There are however other routes too that you can take in case you are not going all the way up the mountain.
Best Hiking Routes: Day Trip from Asahikawa to Asahidake
The main trail toward the Asahidake Summit is splendid with great views. This is slightly challenging but quite suited for hikers who have little to good amount of hiking experience.
For a manageable day hike, the Sugatami Pond course is an excellent choice. This trail, accessible right after stepping off the ropeway, is an easy 1 hour loop that showcases reflections of the mountain on the pond.
During our hike, as we were not prepared for the sudden snow shower, we took the pond route and completed the course. The entire scenery looked like from another world.
Entry Fees and Operating Hours
The cost of a round-trip ticket on the Asahidake Ropeway costs around ¥3200 (approximately $20 USD) for adults and ¥1,450 for children.
The ropeway operates from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM during peak seasons. It’s recommended to arrive early, as weekends and holidays tend to be busier, especially during autumn foliage season.
Best time to hike Mount Asahidake
Best time to climb mount Asahidake is in Autumn: Mid-September to mid-October.
The colors change to bright red and orange which looks stunning from the ropeway and while hiking.
The weather can get colder after October, but is great for people who would like to hike in snow and ski.
Summer is also a good time to hike the mountain, except you will not be able to see the gorgeous colors across the national park.
How to be prepared for Mount Asahidake Trek?
Be prepared when you go for this day trip from Asahikawa to Mount Asahidake, especially during Autumn/ Winter season:
- Layer up with thermal inner clothing
- Winter and wind-cheating jacket
- Good comfortable pants
- Boot with spikes or good grip rainy, snowy or slippery weather
- Get walking sticks
- Head gear or cap to prevent wind hitting your ears
- Travel light with a backup with basic food and water.
- Bear Spray, Swiss army set and flash light just in case
- First Aid kit.
What Happens if I am not prepared for cold weather?
As soon as you reach the information center, safety personell will tell you if you are dressed appropriately or not for the hike.
In case you are not, they will suggest the Sugatami pond route that takes 1-1.5 hours. They also ask you to use your discretion and walk around for a while before returning back.
In the information center, there are no rental shops where you can get boots or walking sticks.
So if you are insistent on trekking all the way up to the summit, dress appropriately and carry all necessary things.
Flora, Fauna, and Scenic Highlights
Mount Asahidake is known for its unique alpine vegetation and seasonal beauty.
In spring and summer, the trail is lined with wildflowers like Arctic bellflowers and mountain avens.
By autumn, vibrant red and gold foliage covers the landscape, making it a favorite for photographers.
Along the hike, it’s also possible to spot local wildlife, including Hokkaido squirrels and Ezo deer.
However, be cautious of brown bears, particularly on less-traveled trails.
Conclusion
Mount Asahidake makes for a perfect day trip from Asahikawa for offbeat travellers.
Now that you know all about how to be prepared, entry times and fees and ways to reach this destination, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags today. For Videos & More Information on planning a trip to Japan, follow us on YouTube @local_backpackers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay in Asahikawa if I am going for the Mount Asahidake trek?
9 C hotel is a great stay option as it is 5 min walk from the Asahikawa Train & Bus Station. It is very reasonable with clean washrooms and an in-house café.
Will I see bears when I trek to Mount Asahidake?
There is a chance you may see bears when you trek to Mount Asahidake summit. Carry a bear spray with you just in case.
The safety instructors at the information center, will let you know if there were any bear sightings near by and ask you to avoid routes where bears are found.
