Located in the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa is the gateway to the Daisetsuzan Mountains. It is more than a transit point; it is a city where modern design meets Ainu heritage and world-class wildlife conservation.
Visitors can experience the balance of urban comfort and raw nature, starting from the wood-crafted Asahikawa Station to the surrounding forests and peaks.
Contents
- Asahikawa Station: A Modern Gateway with Ainu Heritage
- Asahiyama Zoo: Discovering Wildlife Through “Behavioral Display”
- Kamuikotan: The Sacred “Village of the Gods”
- Winter Festival and Heiwa-dori Shopping Park
- Asahikawa Ramen and Fermentation Culture
- Mount Daisetsu and Otokoyama Brewery
- The Gateway to Biei and Furano
- Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa: The Regional Food Hub
- Traveler’s Advice
Asahikawa Station: A Modern Gateway with Ainu Heritage
Asahikawa Station is a masterpiece of modern architecture. The interior features extensive use of local wood and calm, dark tones, making it feel like a contemporary art museum.
The station functions as a cultural hub with a post office, souvenir shops, and free gallery spaces. The Asahikawa Tourism Information Center near the South Exit provides English, Chinese, and Japanese support for transportation and sightseeing.
Inside the station, you can visit the Ainu Culture Information Center to learn about the history and worldview of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of northern Japan. The station also features a gallery dedicated to Teijiro Nakahara, a famous Japanese sculptor, reflecting Asahikawa’s identity as a “City of Sculpture.”
Shop Information
Asahikawa Tourism Information Center
Inside JR Asahikawa Station, 8 Miyashitadori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Access：Directly connected to JR Asahikawa Station
Hours：9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (8:30 AM – 7:00 PM from June to Sept)
*English and Chinese speaking staff available
Asahiyama Zoo: Discovering Wildlife Through “Behavioral Display”
As Japan’s northernmost zoo, Asahiyama Zoo has gained international fame for its unique philosophy called “Behavioral Display.” Instead of simply showing animals in cages, the zoo designs environments that trigger their natural instincts and abilities.
The zoo was once facing closure but was revitalized by the creative ideas of its zookeepers. You will see hand-painted information boards that share personal observations from the staff, making the experience more intimate.
In winter, you can see polar animals active in the snow, showcasing the true resilience of life in Hokkaido’s sub-zero climate.
Spot Information
Asahiyama Zoo
Address：Kuranuma, Higashi-asahikawa-cho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Access：Public bus from JR Asahikawa Station (approx. 40 min) to the final stop. By Car: 10 km (6.2 miles) from the Asahikawa-Kita IC on the Hokkaido Expressway.
Hours：9:30 AM – 5:15 PM (Varies by season)
Admission：1,000 JPY (Adults), Free for Junior High students and younger.
Official Website：https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/
Kamuikotan: The Sacred “Village of the Gods”
Located a short drive from downtown, Kamuikotan means “Village of the Gods” in the Ainu language. This gorge was formed over 100 million years as the Ishikari River carved through green schist rock, creating dramatic cliffs and deep potholes.
The Ainu people historically viewed this area as a sacred realm of the gods. The powerful river flow and shifting seasonal colors offer a sense of scale that makes you forget modern city life. It remains the spiritual heart of the Asahikawa region.
Spot Information
Address：Kamuikotan Kamui-cho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Access：Approx. 40 minutes by car from JR Asahikawa Station.
Winter Festival and Heiwa-dori Shopping Park
In February, Asahikawa transforms into a city of ice and light during the Asahikawa Winter Festival. Running since 1960, the festival is famous for its massive snow sculpture—one of the largest in the world, measuring roughly 140 m (460 ft) wide and 20 m (65 ft) tall.
Nearby, Heiwa-dori Shopping Park is a 1 km (0.6 mile) pedestrian-only street that opened in 1972 as the first of its kind in Japan. It is the city’s main axis, lined with shops, cafes, and open-air sculptures where you can try local experiences like making cheese or traditional sweets.
Event & Spot Information
Asahikawa Winter Festival (Tokiwa Park Venue)
Address：4044 Tokiwa Park, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Dates：February 6th – 11th, 2026 Official
Website：https://asahikawa-winterfes.jp/
Heiwa-dori Shopping Park
Address：3-jo-dori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Access: A short walk from JR Asahikawa Station.
Official Website：https://www.kaimonokouen.com/
Asahikawa Ramen and Fermentation Culture
Asahikawa is a top destination for Asahikawa Ramen, one of the three major ramen styles in Hokkaido. It features a “double soup” made from seafood and meat broths, topped with a layer of lard (pork fat) to keep the soup hot in freezing weather.
This culture of “water and cold weather” also supports the local sake industry. Otokoyama Sake Museum showcases 300 years of brewing history. Using snowmelt water from the mountains, they produce world-class Japanese rice wine (Sake). Both ramen and sake reflect the city’s adaptation to its environment.
Recommended Ramen Spots
● Asahikawa Ramen Aoba (Main Branch)
Address: Asahikawa Nijo-dori Building Meitengai, 8-144-6 Nijo-dori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Tabelog: https://tabelog.com/hokkaido/A0104/A010401/1000314/
A pioneering name in the history of Asahikawa ramen.
Their signature dish, Shoyu Ramen, features a carefully crafted broth made with dried sardines (niboshi), offering a deep yet well-balanced umami flavor. The thin, low-moisture noodles are designed to resist overcooking, allowing the ramen to maintain its ideal texture until the last bite.
● Ramenya Tenkin (4-Jo Branch)
Address: 9-chome 1704-31, 4-Jo-dori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Official Website: https://www.tenkin-asahikawa.jp/
One of Asahikawa’s most iconic long-established ramen shops.
Beloved by both locals and visitors for over half a century, Tenkin is known for its consistently long lines and enduring popularity. The ramen features curly noodles typical of Hokkaido, paired with a rich tonkotsu-based broth sealed with a layer of lard to preserve heat.
A deeply comforting bowl that is especially satisfying during Asahikawa’s harsh winter months.
Spot Information
● Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum
Address: 1-33, 2-Jo 7-chome, Nagayama, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Official Website: https://www.otokoyama.com/museum/en/
A historic sake brewery producing Otokoyama, a locally brewed sake crafted with Asahikawa’s pristine natural spring water.
In 1977, Otokoyama became the first Japanese sake ever to receive a Gold Medal at the Monde Selection, and has continued to earn this distinction for over 40 consecutive years. The brewery has also received numerous gold awards at domestic and international competitions, including Japan’s National New Sake Appraisal.
The museum offers insight into the craftsmanship and brewing culture deeply rooted in Hokkaido’s northern climate.
Mount Daisetsu and Otokoyama Brewery
The skyline of Asahikawa is dominated by the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range. Known as the “Roof of Hokkaido,” this is Japan’s largest national park and the source of the city’s clean water and climate.
At the Otokoyama Sake Museum, visitors can learn about the relationship between the snow country and the fermentation process. The museum provides a visual history of how Asahikawa has built its culture against the backdrop of this grand nature.
The Gateway to Biei and Furano
Asahikawa serves as the primary hub for travelers heading to the rolling hills of Biei and the lavender fields of Furano.
By staying in Asahikawa, you can enjoy the comforts of a city while having easy access to the deeper, quieter wilderness of Northern Hokkaido. This balance makes it a strategic base for any Hokkaido itinerary.
Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa: The Regional Food Hub
Located within walking distance of the station, Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa (Roadside Rest Area) is a central point for food and information.
It houses a food court with famous local ramen shops and bakeries. It is the best place to find regional specialties, local crafts, and Asahiyama Zoo merchandise before or after your journey.
Shop Information
Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa
Address：1-12 Kagura 4-jo 6-chome, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
Access：Approx. 15 minutes on foot from JR Asahikawa Station.
Hours：9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Official Website：https://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/
Traveler’s Advice
Winter in Asahikawa is severe. In February, average temperatures are well below 0°C (32°F). High-quality thermal clothing is essential. While public buses cover the city, renting a car is highly recommended if you plan to visit Kamuikotan, the mountains, or the Biei/Furano areas.
Spot Information Address：Around JR Asahikawa Station, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Access：35 min by bus from Asahikawa Airport. 1 hour 25 min by Limited Express train from JR Sapporo Station.
Seasonal Attire:
Spring/Autumn: Coats or thick sweaters are necessary.
Summer: T-shirts are fine during the day, but a light jacket is needed for evenings.
Winter: Heavy down jackets, scarves, and gloves are mandatory.
