Daisetsuzan in September - Accomodation etc

Hi,

I saw some really beautiful pictures of Daisetsuzan National Park and want to go hiking there. I googled and found mentions of using Sounkyo Gorge, Asihadake etc as a base to get to the national park.

I am mainly interested in day hikes (moderate difficulty). Which is the best location to stay so that I have easier access to the national park? I can't drive so I have to mainly rely on public transport.

Also, is there any "not-to-be-missed" hikes?

Many thanks in advance!
AL

I recommend Asahidake Onsen and/or Sounkyo as bases. They are both relatively easily accessible by public transportation, have a relatively wide range of accommodations and offer easy access into the national park.

The easiest recommended walk is the circular route around the top station of Asahidake Onsen. It is very nice and takes less than one hour.

The next easiest is the ascent from Sounkyo to the summit of Kurodake. The ascent is short (only about one hour), but very steep and tiring. But once you reach the peak, you can enjoy views into the grand interior of Daisetsuzan. From there you could further walk into the park and back as far as you wish, e.g. to Hokkaidake and back, from where you can see the Ohachidaira Caldera.

The ascent to the summit of Asahidake is also popular and not too difficult, although tiring.

If you are a strong hiker, you could descend Asahidake on the opposite side and then circle back to the ropeway via Susoaidaira, but this is a long and tiring day, which is described here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo10/100914.html

If you are in very good shape and the weather is stable, you could hike between Asahidake and Sounkyo in a single day, but proper preparation and an early start are required.

Two more of my favorite hikes are the Daisetsu Kogen Onsen circular route:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6781.html

And the ascent from Ginsendai to Akadake:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6780.html

But both these trailheads are difficult to access without car and have no lodging at their base, except a single mountain lodging at Daisetsu Kogen Onsen which is probably already booked out for September.