15 Things to Do in Asahikawa

Asahikawa offers many attractions throughout the year, making it a great destination in any season.
In summer, you can enjoy the refreshing breeze and lush green landscapes. Autumn brings beautiful fall foliage, providing stunning natural scenery.
Winter is also highly recommended, with the city and surrounding mountains blanketed in snow, creating a picturesque winter wonderland.

Asahikawa has its own airport, making it easily accessible from other cities with airports such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. The flight takes approximately 1 to 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Asahiyama Zoo, the northernmost zoo in Japan, is a popular zoo known for its behavioral exhibits, in which comfortable spaces are created for the animals' ecology and their natural behavior is brought out to be seen.

A garden unique to Hokkaido, adorned with plants centering on perennial grasses that grow in the northern climate. The flowers bloom with different colors dramatically according to season, hence the name “Dramatic Garden”.

A beautiful hill much loved for its 60km picturesque view of the north corner of Daisetsuzan National Park, Mount Aibetsu to the south corner, Mount Minami Furano. The name Shujitsu no Oka was named by local cameramen. It is a special view in Hokkaido with its beautiful countryside going on for eternity.

This science museum has a permanent display room, planetarium, laboratory, and an observation deck. There is a lot of hands-on equipment fun for adults and children alike. In the neighborhood, Miyamae Park and the banks along Chubetsu River offer nice places for a walk.

This viewpoint was named after its similarity to Arashiyama, in Kyoto. At the 250m point is the “Arashiyama Park Observation Deck'', where visitors can enjoy picturesque views day and night. Around is the Arashiyama Park Center and hiking course, where visitors regardless of age and gender can freely enjoy this park. During winter, visitors can enjoy a walk in snowshoes.

Connected to Asahikawa Station, Asahikawa Kitasaito Garden is placed in a rare location - in the middle of a city. Passing the west concourse of the station and reaching the “Shopping Park” in the city, you can appreciate the grand Chubetsu River and the rich nature in the northern land.

Otokoyama, Hokkaido's famous sake, with a history of about 350 years. The Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum is operated by Otokoyama Corporation to convey the history and traditions of sake brewing where Otokoyama is produced and sold. The museum exhibits tools used in the 17th century when Otokoyama was first made, and introduces the sake brewing process through a VTR. Don't miss the valuable art and cultural materials depicting "Otokoyama" in paintings and old documents of the period.

"Kamui Kotan" means "village of the gods" in the Ainu language. It's a sacred land filled with the severity and mystique of nature, located in the Ishikari River gorge.

The "Asahikawa City Museum" displays materials related to the history, culture, and nature of northern Hokkaido. A distinguishing feature is its rich collection of materials about the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido.

Asahikawa City is one of Japan's leading wooden furniture production areas. The "Asahikawa Design Center" displays and sells Asahikawa furniture and woodworking crafts from about 30 manufacturers belonging to the Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative.

Located in the native city of Asahikawa, Hokkaido, of the author Miura Ayako, the museum chronicles her literary works and life's journey. Known for her seminal work "Freezing Point," the museum is situated amidst the exotic arboretum that also served as a setting for the story. The building's distinctive dodecahedral structure allows visitors to immerse themselves in the quiet surroundings and the world of her writings.

“Asahidake”, the highest peak in the Daisetsuzan mountain range, is a series of 2,000-meter-high peaks. Asahidake, which rises 2,291 meters above sea level, is popular for its easy access to the 1,600-meter-high ropeway, making it an easy way to enjoy the spectacular view.

"Tanbo Art" (Rice Field Art) is a mysterious scene depicting giant paintings floating in the rice paddy during the summer. An artwork created by the Taisetsu Agricultural Cooperative Association youth club uses rice paddies in Higashitakasu, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, as a canvas, utilizing the varied colors of rice leaves.

Located within the expansive Tokiwa Park, the Asahikawa Museum of Art stands since its opening in 1982. The museum, a brick structure surrounded by greenery, showcases outdoor sculptures that contrast beautifully with the crystal clear blue sky. The overall landscape appears like a gorgeous painting.

Located in Arashiyama Park at the confluence of the Ishikari River and the Osarappe River, the Northern Wild Plants Garden is one of the most extensive northern wild plants gardens in Japan, with approximately 650 plant species growing in this area. It is a forest composed mainly of broad-leaved trees, which is rare in the suburbs of a city and has retained its primitive appearance.

Asahikawa Ramen Village was opened in 1996. Seven restaurants in the city got together in this complex to share Asahikawa ramen’s goodness and its culture. On the outer wall, students from Hokkaido University of Education Asahikawa Campus painted animals of Asahikawa Zoo enjoying ramen.

Santouka began when the founder Hatanaka announced to his family that he was going to make delicious ramen. After trials, errors, and improvement, he came up with his unique pork bone white soup which is well-rounded. The restaurant is now located internationally and popular regardless of the nationality of customers.

Taisetsu Ji Beer Asahikawa was designed with snow color, white, and ground color, brown, to feel the nature of Hokkaido. With a maximum seating capacity of 100, visitors can enjoy Hokkaido’s local beer and dishes that go perfectly with the beer in a relaxing atmosphere.

Established in 1899, Kohiyama Shuzo, a historical Sake brewery, called as Nada in Hokkai, was the 4th-established Sake brewery in Asahikawa. Merged with Ishizaki Shuzo in 1965, a new company restarted as the name of Takasago Shuzo.

The city of Asahikawa is located in the center of Hokkaido. The JR Asahikawa Station is central to the east-west and north-south rail system in Hokkaido.

The 1-kilometer-long pedestrian paradise, called "Heiwa-dori Shopping Park", is the main street of Asahikawa, and was established in 1972 as Japan's first permanent pedestrian paradise, and is lined with a variety of stores, from large-scale stores and various specialty stores to beauty salons and restaurants.

Located alongside National Route 237, which runs from Asahikawa through Furano and on to the Hidaka region, this station serves as a hub for Asahikawa's industry, gourmet food, and tourism. It's just a 15-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station, ensuring easy access from the heart of Asahikawa.

Hoshino Resort OMO7 Asahikawa is operated by Hoshino Resort, with the wish that guests enjoy Hokkaido’s climate, and new-old cultures of Asahikawa. It is a popular tourist spot, and a perfect hotel to create memories, located in the easy-to-access Asahikawa. It is near Furano and Biei.

“Art Hotel Asahikawa” is located only a 5 min drive from JR Asahikawa Station. It is accessible from tourist spots, and is perfect to stay for travel, business purposes. Guest rooms range from Japanese to Western rooms. Western Rooms can accommodate a maximum of 6 guests, it is perfect for families.

HOTEL ROUTE-INN Grand ASAHIKAWA EKIMAE was opened in 2016 at the convenient location two-minute on foot from Asahikawa Station. This hotel brand started in Hokkaido for the first time with bigger guest rooms and a quality restaurant. Better facilities and services than conventional hotels will provide a more comfortable stay.