basic information

Asahidake Onsen is a small hot spring resort at the foot of Hokkaido's highest mountain, Mount Asahidake (2290 meters), in Daisetsuzan National Park.

The small village consists of only about a dozen buildings, wooden lodges, a beautiful youth hostel and two or three large hotels. Shopping and dining opportunities are limited to the hotels and the ropeway station. For weather forecasts, maps and other tourist information, head to the visitor center.

The Asahidake Ropeway (1800 Yen; 2800 Yen from July to mid October) leads from Asahidake Onsen to within a two hour hike of Mount Asahidake's summit. Even though the ropeway's upper station is "only" 1,600 meters above sea level, it stands in a tree less alpine tundra landscape with beautiful flowers in summer.

Near the ropeway's upper station

Hiking trail

There are many hiking opportunities in the Asahidake area in summer.

For beginners, there is an attractive, 30-60 minute circular trail from the ropeway's upper station, past some ponds and sulfurous vents, indicating that the whole Daisetsuzan mountain range is of volcanic origin. Furthermore, there are several easy walking trails in the vicinity of the village.

Somehow more difficult is the hike to the summit of Asahidake, while the classic 1-2 day tour for advanced hikers continues from the summit of Asahidake to the summit of Kurodake, from where one can descend to Sounkyo Onsen. Another hiking trail connects Asahidake Onsen with Tenninkyo Onsen in a neighboring valley.

In winter, the skiing season lasts from December 1 to May 6.

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how to get there

By bus:

Buses provide access to Asahidake Onsen from Asahikawa, Hokkaido's second largest city. Asahikawa can be reached from Sapporo by train (90 minutes, about 4500 Yen) or highway bus (120 minutes, 2000 Yen).

The bus situation for travel between Asahikawa and Asahidake Onsen has been changing frequently over recent years. Below is the current situation:

Winter 2007/2008 (October 16 to June 14)

There are two direct round trips between Asahikawa Station and Asahidake Onsen per day. The one way fare is 1320 yen:

Asahikawa Station	9:10	14:10
Asahidake Onsen	10:55	15:55

Asahidake Onsen	11:10	16:10
Asahikawa Station	12:20	17:20

Summer 2007 (June 15 to October 15)

There are four direct round trips between Asahikawa Station and Asahidake Onsen per day. The one way fare is 1320 yen:

Asahikawa Station	9:30	10:45	13:10	15:10
Asahidake Onsen	10:40	11:55	14:20	17:00

Asahidake Onsen	8:45	10:50	14:35	17:05
Asahikawa Station	10:25	12:00	15:45	18:15

By rental car:

Asahidake Onsen can be reached in about one hour from Asahikawa City, Asahikawa Airport or Biei. More about rental cars.

How to get to and around Daisetsuzan National Park

travel community

Users who have been to Daisetsuzan: 17
Users who have been to Asahidake Onsen: 5

2nd of 3 most visited sights in Daisetsuzan.
327th of 386 most visited sights nationwide.

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