Asahikawa is not at all small as the second largest city in Hokkaido yet it’s often overlooked by tourists for some other popular cities. Read on to find out why you should visit, including trying out their own original ramen, visiting their great zoo - but don’t forget warm clothing!
Table of Contents
Some Asahikawa Basics to Know
With many popular tourist destinations like Sapporo, Hakodate, and Otaru, cities like Asahikawa and Furano tend to get overlooked when visiting Hokkaido. It also doesn’t help that Hakodate is in the complete opposite direction from Asahikawa. Still, there are many interesting things to do in Asahikawa so the next time you visit Hokkaido, why not give it and its surrounding areas a chance?
Geography
Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido after Sapporo. It lies slightly north of central Hokkaido and is a 1.5 hours train ride from Sapporo Station. Asahikawa is an excellent base for exploring other nearby areas in northern central Hokkaido like Furano and its lavender fields, Biei for its wide grassy plains, Daisetsuzan National Park’s mountain ranges, and Hokkaido Powder Belt skiing adventures.
Climate
Asahikawa is considered one of the coldest places in Japan. The city still holds the lowest recorded temperature in the country at -41°C degrees celsius. This happened many years ago in 1902.
Although this was a rare phenomenon that has yet to reoccur, do expect Asahikawa to be very cold when visiting during winter months. On average the months from December to February record negative temperatures, so come during the warmer seasons or pack extra warm.
※ Asahikawa Tourism, "Asahikawa City Trivia"
Industrial and Agricultural
Asahikawa is a commercial, industrial, and agricultural hub. Because of its central location, stores in the city sell products procured from different parts of Hokkaido. The city has also been a leading producer of rice and vegetables thanks to its cool climate that is ideal for farming. The abundant supply of snowmelt and underground waters from the Daisetsuzan Mountains is also a great factor in the prosperity of Asahikawa’s agriculture. Asahikawa is known as well for its brewing, textile, cotton yarn, wood products, and craftwork industries.
Writer's Pick
Top Attractions in Asahikawa
Asahikawa might not be on the top list of destinations to visit in Japan, but it does not mean it should not be. From culture to nature, to food and sports, Asahikawa has so much potential and more to be one of Japan’s best. It’s also quite popular with Japanese tourists. Maybe it’s just a matter of time, so hurry on now before the crowds start rushing in.
Asahikawa Winter Festival
If you don’t mind the cold, February is a good time to visit for the Asahikawa Winter Festival that is held annually at the beginning of the month.
Started in 1946, the festival is similar to Sapporo’s with snow sculptures, illumination, stage events, food stalls, and more. To get an idea of the gigantic sculptures featured during the event, the main sculpture for the 61st Winter Festival in 2020 was Asahikawa’s mascot character Asapi.
Asahiyama Zoo
Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most popular and highly rated zoos in Japan, with a Google rating of 4.4 stars by more than 17,000 people. Make sure to get to the zoo early to avoid a long waiting time as it is the most popular zoo in Hokkaido.
What makes Asahiyama Zoo so popular? It is not a particularly big zoo, but it is home to many species of rare animals from all over the world:
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Arctic Animals: Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, Reindeer, Snowy Owl
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African Animals: Giraffe, Lion, Hippo, Lemur
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Asia Animals: Tiger, Pallas’s Cat, Momonga, Snow Leopard, Brown Bear
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America Animals: Capybara, Spider Monkey, Wolf
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Antarctic Animals: Penguin
※ Asahiyama Zoo, “Animal Catalog”
Aside from that, reviews from visitors say that the zoo is very clean and you can have a look of the animals from up close.
Access: Asahiyama Zoo Bus Station on City Bus Lines 41 and 47
Entrance Fee: 1,000 yen (Adult)
※ Asahikawa City, “Asahiyama Zoo”
Asahikawa City Museum
For a historical and educational experience, visit Asahikawa City Museum in the city centre. The museum focuses on the indigenous people Ainu, the original inhabitants of Hokkaido in the Kamikawa area. With various items on exhibit, learn about this ethnic group, their culture, language, and lives during the olden days.
Access: 14-mins walk from Asahikawa Station
Entrance Fee: 350 yen (Adult)
※ Asahikawa City, "MuseumPermanent Exhibition Information" ※ Japan Heritage Council for the Promotion of Kamikawa Ainu at Daisetsu Sanroku, “Asahikawa City Museum”
Kamikawa Shrine
Located north of Kaguraoka Park is Shinto Shrine, Kamikawa Jinja and its serene atmosphere. Many locals visit this shrine to pray for safety, health, education, protection from harm, and more. A walk around the shrine is a pleasant and calming experience. Whilst you are there, you can also take the opportunity to stroll around Kaguraoka Park. A visit during spring is highly recommended when the 500 or so Ezoyama-zakura trees bloom. The park also has flowing streams, and various flora and fauna for your enjoyment. The bubbling of the stream can even be heard from the shrine.
Access: 4-mins walk from Kamikawa Shrine Bus Station on City Bus Line 82, 83
※ Kamikawa Shrine
Asahikawa Ramen Village
A trip will never be complete without food. So, when you visit Asahikawa, make sure to try out its own version of ramen. Asahikawa Ramen’s characteristics are its soy-sauce based broth, oiliness, and thin chewy noodles. The toppings are those of a typical ramen with bamboo shoots, spring onions, and chashu.
A great way to taste this hearty dish is to visit Asahikawa Ramen Village. A ramen-themed amusement park offering eight of Asakikawa’s most famous ramen. These include Asahikawa Ramen from Baikoken and Aoba, Miso Ramen from Heiwa, Chicken Ramen from Saijo, Tonkotsu Ramen from Ishida, Tonkotsu and Fish Blend Ramen from Ittetsu-an, and Tonkotsu Chicken Blend Ramen from Tenkin.
If you enjoyed your ramen, you can buy them from the souvenir shop. There are also various photo spots around the village including a mural painted by local university students.
Access: 7-mins walk from Minami-Nagayama Station
※ Asahikawa Ramen Village
Winter Resorts in Asahikawa
Because of Asahikawa’s geography and cold climate especially in winters, the city transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months for fun winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding. Here are some ski resorts where you can indulge yourselves.
Kamui Ski Links
Kamui Ski Links is a small ski resort in the western part of Asahikawa. With only 9 courses available, Kamui Ski Links is not as large as other ski resorts. However, some people would prefer Kamui Ski Links because it is less crowded, cheaper, and has an exceptional quality of powder snow. This ski resort also has courses for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers and snowboarders making it a friendly resort for visitors of different abilities. Kamui Ski Links is accessible by train, bus, and car from Asahikawa and travel usually takes only an hour or less.
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu offers a variety of snow activities aside from skiing. These include snowmobiling, snow rafting, sledding, and snowshoe hiking. For the less sports inclined, there are also easier activities like winter horse riding, ice fishing, dog-sledding, and snow camping.
Not fond of the outdoors, they’ve got you covered with baumkuchen-making, wood crafting workshops, indoor heated wave pools, and spa facilities. A unique event the resort has to offer is Ice Village. All of these activities make Hoshino Resorts Tomamu an ideal ski resort for families and groups of friends.
Canmore Ski Village
Canmore Ski Village is another ski resort in Hokkaido where skiers of all levels can go because its courses are designed to cater to beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers. There are other facilities as well that visitors can enjoy here including restaurants and accommodation facilities. Canmore Ski Village also has a night game facility where visitors can have a mesmerizing night skiing experience while overlooking the nightscape of Asahikawa City.
Summary
Asahikawa has so much to offer no matter the season. This city is a great destination to explore nature’s beauty and Japan’s rich history and culture. So, on your next Japan escapade, make sure to visit Asahikawa.
