About Asahidake Onsen, Japan

Asahidake Onsen is a small hot spring resort at the foot of Hokkaido’s highest mountain, Mount Asahidake (2290 meters), in Daisetsuzan National Park.

The small village consists of only about a dozen buildings, wooden lodges, a beautiful youth hostel and two or three large hotels. Shopping and dining opportunities are limited to the hotels and the ropeway station. For weather forecasts, maps and other tourist information, head to the visitor center.

The Asahidake Ropeway (1800 Yen; 2800 Yen from July to mid October) leads from Asahidake Onsen to within a two hour hike of Mount Asahidake’s summit. Even though the ropeway’s upper station is "only" 1,600 meters above sea level, it stands in a tree less alpine tundra landscape with beautiful flowers in summer.

There are many hiking opportunities in the Asahidake area in summer.

For beginners, there is an attractive, 30-60 minute circular trail from the ropeway’s upper station, past some ponds and sulfurous vents, indicating that the whole Daisetsuzan mountain range is of volcanic origin. Furthermore, there are several easy walking trails in the vicinity of the village.

Somehow more difficult is the hike to the summit of Asahidake, while the classic 1-2 day tour for advanced hikers continues from the summit of Asahidake to the summit of Kurodake, from where one can descend to Sounkyo Onsen. Another hiking trail connects Asahidake Onsen with Tenninkyo Onsen in a neighboring valley.

In winter, the skiing season lasts from December 1 to May 6.