Autumn Colours in Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan National Park is the first place in Hokkaido to view Autumn colors. Asahidake Onsen is about 45km from Asahikawa and considered one of the best bases to explore the National Park. At a height of 2290m Asahidake is the tallest mountain in Hokkaido. A ropeway takes you halfway up the mountain which costs 2900 yen round trip (from June to Mid October). 

Daisetsuzan National Park is the earliest place in Hokkaido to view autumn colours. Asahidake Onsen is about 45km from Asahikawa and situated at the base of Mt. Asahidake. At 2290m, Mt. Asahidake is the tallest mountain in Hokkaido. Asahidake offers lot of hiking opportunities for hikers of all experience levels.

We visited Daisetsuzan during the first week of October. There is a ropeway from the parking lot to halfway up the mountain (About 1600m). Roundtrip costs 2900 yen during summer and autumn months. From upper station there are several hiking trails which allows to enjoy the serene beauty. One of those hiking trails runs all the way to the top of the mountain. We took the circular trail starting from the station. This trail is not two difficult and took about two hours to complete.

Kogen Onsen is another place in Daisetsuzan to enjoy autumn colours. Here also there is a circular trail. Serious hikers can take the climbing trail to top of Mount Midoridake. There were snow patches on top of the mountain remaining even after the summer. Kogen Onsen is about 100km from Asahikawa. Final 10km of the road is unpaved. (This part of the road is closed from September 17 to 25).

Noboribetsus Hell Valley and Ainu Museum

Noboribetsu is a beautiful hell valley and offers several walking trails to enjoy the spectacular geological formation, a small geyser, hot springs and spectacular hot ponds. Situated 125km from Sapporo, this is a good destination for a day trip. There is also a foot onsen to enjoy a foot bath.

We started from Kutchan and reached Jigokudan parking lot. Parking fee is 500yen and this ticket allows to enter the Oyunuma parking lot also. Several walking trails start from here.

Statue near the entrance of Jigokudan

Trail map

There are well prepared wooden walkways which allow having a closer look at hot springs. 

Jigokudan

Towards the middle of the hell valley there is a small geyser that ejects steam every 10 minutes or so.

Small Geyser

We followed a walking trail for about 20 minutes to reach a point where we could see Oyunuma pond.

Oyunuma

After reaching this point we turned back and reached Jigokudan car park with the intention of reaching the foot onsen by car because it was bit far to walk. There was a parking lot near the Oyunuma pond. You can enter this parking lot using the same ticket purchased to enter Jigokudan parking lot.

Okunoyu- small pond near Oyunuma parking lot

Oyunuma

From Oyunuma parking lot we walked towards the foot onsen. If you don't want to walk there is another parking lot closer to foot onsen. (Marked in the map). On the way, there was a small black pond called Taisho hell.

Taisho hell

Steaming waterfall on the way to Foot Onsen

Porotokotan

Ainu is a group of indigenous people once dominated Hokkaido. Porotokotan is an Ainu museum that allows you to learn and enjoy Ainu culture. This is located close to a small lake just 40km from Noboribetsu. There is a cultural performance several times a day which includes Ainu dances and music. Entrance fee is 800 yen.

Ainu dance

Ainu music

Traditional Ainu houses

Fireplace inside a house

Shakotan Peninsula

September is the best month for fruit picking in Hokkaido. Youchi, situated just 60km from Sapporo is filled with fruit farms. For about 600yen you can pick and eat as much as grapes and apples. 

Cape Shakotan

Cape Shakotan is a beautiful cape located 100km from Sapporo. There are several hiking trails to choose. A steep decent of about 30 minutes using steps take you to the shore.  You can enjoy vivid rock cliff formations and a serene beach.

Cape Kamui

Further 15km drive takes you to Cape Kamui. The wooden trail and steps take you to the edge of the cape in about 30 minutes and allow you to enjoy beautiful sea cliffs and blizzard rock formation all the way.

Lake Toya and Usuzan

Lake Toya is a beautiful caldera lake situated 100km south from Sapporo. Riding a bicycle around the lake is one of the best ways to enjoy the serene beauty. The distance around the lake is about 37 kilometres. Our visit to Lake Toya was in late May. We saw lots of tourists kayaking, fishing and riding speed boats in the Lake. There are several campsites around the lake. Almost all were full with campers. 

Mount Yotei

Mt. Usu, an active volcano standing close to Lake Toya erupted in the year 2000. This eruption destroyed several buildings and roads around Mount Nishiyama. There are several walking trail that leads you to see newly created craters, destroyed buildings, and abandoned roads. A paid observatory on the other side allows you to see newly created craters of  Mt. Usu and enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Toya. 

Mt. Usu west creator

Showa Shinzan is a young volcano situated 9km from Mount Nishiyama parking lot. Mt. Usu ropeway starts from here. We took the ropeway to the top of Mt. Usu. From there you can have a walk along a footpath and steps to see Mt. Usu Crater. 

Showa Shinzan

Mt. Usu Largest Crater

Winter Festivals in Hokkaido

Winter sports such as Skiing and Snowboarding draws thousands of tourists to Hokkaido in every winter. For those who are looking for something else there are numerous winter festivals.

Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan (Igloo Village)

Lake Shikaribetsu lies about 200km away from Sapporo a 4 - 5 hour drive on the icy roads on the winter. From late January to Late March a village of Igloos built on the frozen lake surface. There are bars and conference rooms additional to traditional igloos. For those who like to have a bath there is a bath house also. Entrance is free of charge.

Sapporo Winter Festival

Sapporo winter festival held annually in February over seven days. There are hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures built by teams and individuals from various countries.

Useful Links

• Visit Tokachi
• Sapporo Snow Festival