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