Daisetsuzan National Park
Low crowdHokkaidoKamikawa, Hokkaido
Peak Start
September 20
Peak End
October 10
Region
Hokkaido
About this spot
Japan's earliest autumn color — peak foliage arrives in late September. Japan's largest national park with stunning mountain panoramas in red, orange, and yellow.
Highlights
- ✓Earliest koyo in Japan
- ✓Mountain panoramas
- ✓Ropeway views
- ✓Untouched wilderness
Getting There
Asahikawa Airport + bus, or Asahikawa Station + bus
⭐ Why visit this spot
- ✓Japan's earliest autumn color — peak by late September, when the rest of Japan is still green.
- ✓Japan's largest national park, with vast mountain panoramas in red/orange/yellow.
- ✓Asahidake Ropeway lets you reach high-altitude foliage zones easily (¥3,200 return).
- ✓Combines naturally with a Hokkaido onsen + food trip — uni, scallops, miso ramen.
🚄 Getting there in detail
- Nearest station
- Asahikawa (JR Hakodate Main Line; Limited Express Kamui from Sapporo ~1.5h); flights via Asahikawa Airport
- Walk from station
- Asahidake ropeway base: bus from Asahikawa Station (~1.5h) or rental car
- Train frequency
- Limited Express every 30–60 min from Sapporo; airport bus matches flight times
- Payment
- JR + IC (Kitaca); buses mostly cash; ropeway cash + IC + credit
- 🧳 Luggage storage
- Asahikawa Station lockers (¥400–700); recommend staying at Asahidake Onsen with luggage left
⏰ Best time of day: First ropeway up (6:00 AM in peak season) — clouds form fast in the afternoon
📍 Location
Open in Google Maps →🍴 Nearby food & things to do
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🍴Food & Drink(4)
- Restaurant
Asahikawa Ramen★★★★★4.4
Soy-sauce based ramen with rich pork+seafood broth.
💡 Asahikawa's signature ramen uses lard atop the broth to retain heat in cold weather. Several decades-old shops are scattered across Asahikawa city.
⏱️ In Asahikawa💴 ¥900–1,500🕒 Most 11:00–20:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Asahikawa Sashimi Donburi★★★★☆4.6
Hokkaido seafood bowl — uni, ikura, salmon, crab.
💡 Hokkaido's cold waters produce Japan's best uni and crab. Many Asahikawa shops serve generous kaisendon under ¥3,000. English picture menus common.
⏱️ In Asahikawa💴 ¥2,000–4,500🕒 11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Genghis Khan (Lamb BBQ)★★★★☆4.5
Hokkaido's iconic grilled lamb on dome iron.
💡 Hokkaido's most local dish. Lamb grilled tableside over a domed iron skillet with onions and bean sprouts. Several Asahikawa restaurants. Casual + English help.
⏱️ In Asahikawa💴 ¥2,500–4,500🕒 17:00–23:00📍 Google Maps → - Restaurant
Yakitori Daikichi (Asahikawa)★★★★★4.3
Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers + Hokkaido sake.
💡 Cozy chain known for fresh local chicken. Order omakase set — gets you all the cuts. English menu, cards accepted. Try with local Otokoyama sake.
⏱️ In Asahikawa💴 ¥2,000–3,500🕒 17:00–24:00📍 Google Maps →
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