Recommended Route Hokkaido
Highlights
- Traverse the two prime peaks Mt. Asahidake and Mt. Kurodake
- Meet and learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido
- Explore the alpine tarns of Daisetsu Kogen Onsen, a habitat for Brown Bear
- Take in the views of Lake Shikaribetsu from the summit of Mt. Hakuunzan
- Spectacular ridge-line hiking on Mt. Furanodake, in the Tokachi Volcanic Group
Main Activity：Hiking in Daisetsuzan National Park
Difficulty：4
Day 1
Meet Your Group in Asahikawa City, Guided Hiking at Mt. Arashiyama
Your group will meet in Central Asahikawa , and once everyone is together, you'll spend some time getting to know each other and the program for our upcoming adventure before heading off to Mount Arashiyama to warm up our legs.
Mount Arashiyama is an urban forest park, popular with Asahikawa locals for its accessibility and the panorama of the city from the top. For the local Ainu (the indigenous people of Hokkaido ), this is a special place known as "ci-nomi-sir" in their language. They perform an annual ritual at the end of May here, blessing the Gods and praying for another year full of peace and happiness.
After the hike, you will have lunch with the Ainu in a replica of a traditional house called "cise" and learn about their culture, history and how they relate to nature in their beliefs and lifestyles. In the late afternoon, you will travel by van for approximately one hour to Asahidake Onsen situated at 1,100 meters above sea level. You will stay the night here in the crisp mountain air enjoying the natural hot springs fed from Mount Asahidake .
Mount Arashiyama is an urban forest park, popular with Asahikawa locals for its accessibility and the panorama of the city from the top. For the local Ainu (the indigenous people of Hokkaido ), this is a special place known as "ci-nomi-sir" in their language. They perform an annual ritual at the end of May here, blessing the Gods and praying for another year full of peace and happiness.
After the hike, you will have lunch with the Ainu in a replica of a traditional house called "cise" and learn about their culture, history and how they relate to nature in their beliefs and lifestyles. In the late afternoon, you will travel by van for approximately one hour to Asahidake Onsen situated at 1,100 meters above sea level. You will stay the night here in the crisp mountain air enjoying the natural hot springs fed from Mount Asahidake .
Day 2
Guided Hiking from Mt. Asahidake to Mt. Kurodake
Asahidake Onsen is a popular entry point to Daisetsuzan National Park . The park is Japan's largest in size, and one of the first designated as a National Park in 1934. While Daisetsuzan is typically known as the Roof of Hokkaido , in the Ainu world, it is known as "kamuy-mintar," meaning the Playground of the Gods.
We make our way into this sacred location by cable car to Sugatami Station at 1,600 meters, then start climbing to the summit of Mt. Asahidake (2,291 meters), the highest peak in Hokkaido . Our journey continues on the outer ring of the majestic Ohachidaira volcanic caldera, which was formed by an eruption about 30,000 years ago.
In the afternoon, we set foot on the summit of Mt. Hokkaidake (2,149 meters) and Mt. Kurodake (1,984 meters), and then descend into the Sounkyo Gorge with the help of a chair lift followed by another cable car. After a tiring day, check into your hotel to unwind and reenergize for your upcoming journey.
We make our way into this sacred location by cable car to Sugatami Station at 1,600 meters, then start climbing to the summit of Mt. Asahidake (2,291 meters), the highest peak in Hokkaido . Our journey continues on the outer ring of the majestic Ohachidaira volcanic caldera, which was formed by an eruption about 30,000 years ago.
In the afternoon, we set foot on the summit of Mt. Hokkaidake (2,149 meters) and Mt. Kurodake (1,984 meters), and then descend into the Sounkyo Gorge with the help of a chair lift followed by another cable car. After a tiring day, check into your hotel to unwind and reenergize for your upcoming journey.
Day 3
Guided Hiking to Daisetsu Kogen Plateau and Brown Bear Habitat
Daisetsu Kogen serves as a trailhead for the popular Kogen Numa (alpine tarns) hiking trail. This area is far from civilization and home to a great number of native brown bears, higuma, which are often spotted by hikers here. Before we set out on the Kogen Numa hiking trail, we receive a safety briefing at Higuma Information Centre about the latest sightings and the rules to respect the wildlife and stay safe in higuma territory.
Situated between 1,230 to 1,460 meters above sea level, the Kogen Numa provides opportunities to observe alpine flora and over a dozen alpine tarns of various sizes scattered along the trail. Once we return from our hike, we board our van to transfer to Nukabira Onsen, the hot spring village situated by Lake Nukabira. We spend a night at a historical hotel that has been renovated into a modern Japanese-style inn, run by a friendly local family.
Situated between 1,230 to 1,460 meters above sea level, the Kogen Numa provides opportunities to observe alpine flora and over a dozen alpine tarns of various sizes scattered along the trail. Once we return from our hike, we board our van to transfer to Nukabira Onsen, the hot spring village situated by Lake Nukabira. We spend a night at a historical hotel that has been renovated into a modern Japanese-style inn, run by a friendly local family.
Day 4
Guided Hiking to Mt. Hakuunzan
We’ll kick the day off with a drive to neighboring Lake Shikaribetsu on a road that is only open during the snowless months from April to October. After approximately 30 mins, we’ll arrive at the start of the trail to Mt. Hakuunzan on the shore of Lake Shikaribetsu. We will take a loop walk to the top of Mt. Hakuunzan (1,186 meters) and back on the lakeshore trail, which usually takes about three hours to complete. From the summit there’s a stunning view of Lake Shikaribetsu and if we are lucky, you may be able to spot the northern pika (rock rabbit) in their rocky dwellings and learn about their unique habitat.
After enjoying a natural stroll, we will transfer to our lodging in Furano and rest up for tomorrow.
After enjoying a natural stroll, we will transfer to our lodging in Furano and rest up for tomorrow.
Day 5
Ending the Trip with a Hike through the Stunning Nature of Mt. Furano
On this day, we will ascend Mt. Furano , the southernmost mountain in the Tokachi mountain range well-recognized for its flower fields and as one of the 100 greatest mountains in Japan. Although it is around 10 kilometers long and takes 5 to 6 hours for the whole hike, the breathtaking views of the Tokachi mountain range and the variety of alpine plants that bloom from summer to fall will keep you fascinated throughout the hike.
As you climb the route, which is a perfect finale to the Daisetsuzan round trip, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the mountains of the Daisetsuzan range from Mt. Tokachidake, and if you glance down at the foot of the mountain, you will see the magnificent wilderness of Hokkaido. Once seen, the view will never be forgotten.
After a full day of hiking Mt. Furano , have a tasty meal before checking in to your lodgings in Asahikawa . The next day, you will return home with memories of your spectacular journey.
As you climb the route, which is a perfect finale to the Daisetsuzan round trip, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the mountains of the Daisetsuzan range from Mt. Tokachidake, and if you glance down at the foot of the mountain, you will see the magnificent wilderness of Hokkaido. Once seen, the view will never be forgotten.
After a full day of hiking Mt. Furano , have a tasty meal before checking in to your lodgings in Asahikawa . The next day, you will return home with memories of your spectacular journey.
