Skip to main content

Find your Next Adventure !

Overview

Asahikawa is the perfect base for your Hokkaido powder belt adventure, think of Asahikawa as a Hokkaido’s very own Queenstown, with great shopping, restaurants, bars and entertainment while being easy access from Sapporo and New Chitose via express train. Ski resorts are a short drive away or there are hotel courtesy buses or buses from Asahikawa station to some resorts, although it’s easier with a car or a guide that picks you up and takes you to the best resorts each day.

 

Kamui links is the closest resort and is only 20kms or about 30  minutes by car or bus, Asahidake Hokkaido’s highest mountain is close by as well as Pippu, Furano, Kurodake and Tokachidake which can all be accessed from Asahikawa making the city the ideal for those that want to chase the powder while enjoying some great culture that this city offers.

 

Asahikawa city has fantastic bars, restaurants, izakayas (Japanese style bars) and entertainment aplenty all within easy walk from the centre of the city and our preferred accommodation partner Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa. 

 

Asahiyama Zoo is also another highlight in Asahikawa and a great option for a rest day, its Japan top rated zoo with over 3 million visitors each year, top exhibits include a penguin and seal aquarium with a walk through tunnel, as well as polar bear display and Orangutan enclosures where you can get up and enjoy close viewing.


 

 

 

Facilities & Attractions

Tourist attractions and the latest trendy spots.

Ainu is an indigenous people in Hokkaido. Asahikawa City Museum is the place to come to learn about the Ainu history and culture. There are two floors

Large science centre featuring hands-on exhibits, and observatory and planetarium shows. There are a different kinds of experiment ares children and

Furarito Alley is a collection of small pubs and tapas restaurant. About 10 minutes’ walk from train station. Choices include Yakitori (grilled chic

Asahiyama Zoo is one of the main attractions in Asahikawa and is also known for being one of the most famous zoo in Japan. The zoo is not particula

Charming ski links features trails for all levers and ages, including 25 courses, 1x Gondola and 5 fixed double chair lifts. There are equipment renta

Asahidake Ski Resort is located on Hokkaido's highest mountain and consists of a single ropeway, two carriage service the route that takes you to 1600

  • Best Time to Visit
  • How to Reach Asahikawa
  • Resorts & City Guide
  • Pros & Cons
  • SPRING (March - May)
  •  ‌
  •  Especially in Asahikawa in early April, there is still snow. It is still chilly in the mornings and evenings. The temperature and environment change drastically. Snowmelt flows in form the mountains and the river has more water than usual, it is a time you can enjoy rafting.
  • Ave Weather: Max 10.1°C | Min 0.5°C

 
  • SUMMER (June - August)
  • ‌‌
  •  The average temperature in Asahikawa in August is around 22° C. Due to more rain and less wind, the heat and humidity may increase the temperature. The temperature between morning and evening are big difference, you need to be adjusted to cope with difference in temperature.
  • Ave Weather: Max 24.6° C | Min 14.7° C

 
  • AUTUMN (September - November)
  • Autumn in Hokkaido is a quick visit. The temperature difference between day and night can vary more than 9° C. Autumn leaves season is in full swing around October.  Asahidake which is said to the earliest autumn leaves in Japan and it is very popular as a spot for autumn leaves with a superb view.
  • Ave Weather: Max 13.8° C | Min 4.6° C

 
  • WINTER (December - February)
  • ‌‌ 
  •  Earliest snow fall in Japan, in the mid winter the minimum temperature was -10° C, and snow acumulation is neray 1 meters at most. The ski resort opens around late November.
  • Ave Weather: Max -2.7° C | Min -11.3° C

 

By Air

Access to Asahikawa for international travellers is generally easiest via New Chitose Airport which is a little over 2 hours away by express train. If you are travelling within Japan, Asahikawa airport has daily domestic flights from Japans mainland and some international flights from Asian cities such as Taiwan, Korea and Singapore. Asahikawa airport is 30 minutes by airport shuttle to Asahikawa central JR station

 

By Train

You can access Asahikawa on express trains from the New Chitose Airport, the journey takes approx. 2 hours.

By Car

Travelling to Asahikawa via the freeway from New Chitose Airport will take approx. 2.5 hours.

By Bus

The resort liner service in Hokkaido or the Chuo bus service from Sapporo runs regularly to and from Furano the journey will take 2 hours from Sapporo and 3 hours from New Chitose.

By Private Transfer

Private transfers can be arranged from New Chitose Airport for as few as 1 person in a private car or up to 40 people with a bus charter. 

Below are some PDF tourist maps to help you navigate and enjoy your time at Asahikawa.

Kamui Link Trail Map Free. Work Offline. Share Anywhere

Kamui Link Area Map Free. Work Offline. Share Anywhere

Asahikawa City Map Area Free. Work Offline. Share Anywhere

Pros

  • Asahikawa is a vibrant city with easy access from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport
  • Huge selection of restaurants, bars and entertainment
  • Great shopping including an Aeon mall next to the station
  • Choose the best resort for the day based on the weather conditions

Cons

  • Travel time to and from resort each day with snow conditions can range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes
  • Limited accommodation options hotel or hostel style only
  • Buses to resort, times are limited if you want flexibility its best to get a car to travel to resorts or go on a guided tour

Average snowfall for Asahikawa

This data was collected on Kamui Link at 750m

Review and Rating

All Japan Powder Ski Holiday' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Japan Powder.

0 out of 5 based on 0 review