Asahikawa | The Snow Less Travelled

Asahikawa 旭川 is the second largest city in Hokkaido, but probably one of the most under-rated ones. There’s good reason to be so – with only a handful of mediocre shopping complexes, and its most renowned attraction being a zoo (the Asahiyama Zoo 旭山動物園), it doesn’t look anywhere like a tourist draw.

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However, as a gateway to both the Daisetsuzan National Park 大雪山 (one of the most carefully preserved nature reserves in Hokkaido) and the Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉), it makes for a convenient base from which to make day trips to these attractions.

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If skiing is not your thing, take a dip in one of the onsens (there’s 9 in total) along the main road leading up to the Asahidake Ropeway (旭岳ロープウェー). At the Ropeway, a 5-min ride takes you to a breath-taking vista at 2,291 metres above sea level. Because of its relative obscurity, it feels like having the entire mountain / volcano to yourself!

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I also found another reason to visit Asahikawa (旭川)– food! The city is slowly gaining interest as a gourmet town (it even has a village dedicated to ramen), and though the nightlife is nowhere compared to Sapporo, there’s enough to satisfy my demanding taste buds.    LS

DSC08951Asahikawa Yakitori ismDSC08953DSC08956DSC08955DSC08960Baikohken Ramen 梅光轩DSC08969DSC08973Santouka Ramen 山頭火本店DSC08941DSC08945Tenkin Honten 天金本店DSC09077DSC09085DSC09081DSC09093DSC09092DSC09042DSC09047.JPGDSC09046DSC09050DSC09063DSC09056DSC09054

8 thoughts on “Asahikawa | The Snow Less Travelled

  1. Hi! Just thought I’d drop you a comment to let you know I really enjoyed going through your post! very cool, interesting (and stylish too!)
    Keep it up!
    Come check out my blog if you get the chance, would love to know what you think!
    Keep blogging!
    Love,
    Mimi
    Ps. food looks absolutely amazing

    Like

    • Hello there! Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed my posts…Haha, these days I write less and shoot more…as they say, a picture speaks a thousand words…so pardon the writing…
      I’ll definitely check out yours too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Pingback: Chasing Japan – lonesojourns

  3. Pingback: WE WANT SNOW | HAPPY 2022!! – lonesojourns

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