Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Asahikawa Honten (Flagship Store) | Review by 楊雅雯

Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway

Located at the center of Hokkaido, Daisetsuzan, a mountain range of eight volcanos, is called the ‘’god’s playground.” One of them is Mt.Kurodake, rising 1,984m above sea level. A nature hike along alpine plants and Ezo chipmunks in spring and summer, gorgeous fall foliage in autumn, and ski or snowshoe hike in winter. Daisetsuzan is fun to visit throughout the year.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Ropeway

When visiting Daisetsuzan in Hokkaido, I recommend taking the Kurodake Ropeway up the mountain! Instead of making a strenuous climb, you can ride the ropeway up and then transfer to the chairlift to easily ascend Kurodake, taking in magnificent views of the mountains, forests, and Sounkyo along the way.
It's really accessible for people who don't hike often, letting you enjoy the alpine scenery of Daisetsuzan with hardly any effort.
The most delightful surprise was the ride up on the ropeway and chairlift—the journey itself was a feast for the eyes.
Hokkaido's mountain scenery is truly beautiful. Looking out over Sounkyo from above, the vast and spectacular views made me want to keep taking photos.
You can easily get close to nature without testing your stamina, so this spot is well worth adding to your Hokkaido itinerary!

Tokachidake Bogakudai Observatory

A scenic viewpoint where you can see up close Tokachidake-one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains-along with its bare volcanic rock and rising plumes of steam. Located on the mountainside of Tokachidake at an elevation of 930 m, around 5 km from the Shirogane Onsen area. You can also take in sweeping views of peaks such as Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido and the main peak of the Daisetsuzan range, as well as Bieidake and Biei Fuji.

• Furano and Biei
• Observatories

I originally came for the magnificent views of Mount Tokachidake, but it was cloudy, and the mountain was completely hidden in the mist, which was a bit disappointing.
However, looking back toward the Furano Basin, the vast plains were just as beautiful, and I still enjoyed that distinctive sense of openness you get in Hokkaido.
This place is also perfect for people who don't hike often. After parking, it's only a short walk to the observatory, so you can easily enjoy the views from above without getting out of breath climbing a mountain.
Travel doesn't always come with perfect weather. From a different perspective, cloudy days have their own unique atmosphere too.
I'll consider this visit a preview and look forward to coming back next time for a clear view of Mount Tokachidake!

Otokoyama sake brewery museum

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.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Museums

While in Asahikawa, I made a special trip to the Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum. Otokoyama is a sake brand with more than 350 years of history. Inside, you can see exhibits related to traditional sake brewing and learn about the brewing culture Otokoyama has developed over the years. The entire place is very clean and comfortable to walk around. Of course, I was most looking forward to the tasting. There are quite a few Otokoyama varieties available to sample, so you can take your time comparing the different flavors.
Besides sake, there's another interesting experience here: you can drink the natural water used for brewing. The water is clean and slightly sweet, and very pleasant to drink. I also tried their specialty frozen treat, flavored with rice syrup. It had a very distinctive taste, completely different from the usual frozen desserts.
It's not just a place to drink sake—you can also learn about its history and brewing culture. If you like sake or are interested in traditional Japanese culture, this is worth adding to your Asahikawa itinerary!