Destinations

Mt Asahi Dake

"The highest peak in Hokkaido, Asahidake makes for a great day of climbing and rewards you with fabulous views across the national park. Just watch out for the local population of black bears!"

Alastair Donnelly - Director

Asahidake Onsen is a small hot spring resort set in the stunning Daisetsuzan National Park. The small village is at the foot of Hokkaido’s highest mountain, Mt Asahidake and is really a place to see some of the most stunning scenery in Japan. The village itself only comprises of a few lodges and pensions as well as a tourist information office and visitor centre. There are many hiking opportunities in the Asahidake area in summer.

The Daisetsu Mountain Range, the largest chain of mountains in Japan (in terms of total area) Mt. Daisetsu is the general name given to a group of several 2,000m-class mountains located almost in the very centre of Hokkaido which span out for nearly 50 km - the highest peak being Mt. Asahidake (2,290m). With a total area of 230,000 ha, Mt. Daisetsu comprises Japan's largest mountain terrain in terms of area.

The Daisetsu Mountain Range also features the largest amount of nature in Japan. As the Daisetsu Mountain Range is situated at a more northern latitude than Honshu, its alpine environment is similar to the 3,000m-class mountains found on the main island, and its plant groups are well known for their diversity and scale - resembling an enormous outdoor garden sprawling with flowers. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, admired its beauty so much they named it kamuimintara, meaning "the garden of the gods."

From spring tidings to crimson foliage, the seasonal beauty enchants all who visit here. Spring arrives in the Mt. Asahidake region in June. Around this time, rare alpine flora species begin to appear on the hillsides and forests of Erman's birch become ever more verdant with each passing day. In early July, all of the alpine plants found here rival each other to express their natural beauty and the vast mountain area is covered in a fantasia of colours. By August, signs of autumn begin to approach. And from September through October, fall's crescendo reaches its peak as the entire area is tinted in red and orange hues. View a spectrum of colours found in Mother Nature from your ropeway window vantage point.