Kamikawa is a big municipality in the course of Hokkaido, with the town of Asahikawa at its centre.

Whereas it’s simply ignored for extra distant areas on Hokkaido, Kamikawa has loads to supply to the out of doors fanatic who’d wish to discover mountains, rivers and get to know the native Ainu tradition.

It’s additionally residence to the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, the most important Nationwide Park in Japan, which is residence to many bears and it’s surrounding Hotsprings are inviting to hikers and skiers alike.

Right here is an summary:

Sapporo

Our journey to Kamikawa begins in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido which is well reached from overseas. Japan is understood for its quick and environment friendly trains, so it’s the logical option to proceed to Asahikawa.

It’s a brief and fulfilling journey, and from Asahikawa we proceed through Bus to the fantastic Fratello Di Mikuni Restaurant, which sits atop a hill and has fantastic views in the direction of Daisetsuzan. This Restaurant not solely delights with the magnificent views you could have in the direction of the mountains, but in addition the scrumptious meals the Cooks conjure up in your plate! We had essentially the most wonderful six course meal which can make your mouth water. 🤤

Images Museum of Koetsu Ichinei

After our scrumptious dinner we take a stroll by way of the close by Daisetsu Mori-no Backyard, which was pleasant with its autumn vibes. I might have spend much more time right here, it was so fairly, although we went on to the inspiring images Museum of Koetsu Ichinei who can also be the creator of the “Mountains in Hokkaido” ebook.

Ichinei-San has spent his lifetime photographing within the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, and the gathering of his photographs will make you wish to go immediately and go to this Nationwide Park in all of the seasons.

Sounkyo Customer Centre

After this inspiring go to, by which Ichinei-San has instructed us about his love for the mountains, we made a go to to the Sounkyo Customer Centre down the highway, the place we realized extra in regards to the Nationwide Park which we are going to go to the following day.

Lodge Taisetsu – Kaiseki dinner

Lodge Taisetsu is our residence for the night time, on the doorstep of the Nationwide Park and never distant from the Mt. Kurodake Ropeway.

The native deer welcome us and after transferring our belongings into our conventional and spacious rooms we head to the Onsen, which is situated on the prime ground and overlooks the mountains. Sitting within the steaming sizzling spring water whereas it’s a bit chilly outdoors and overlooking the character is an incredible expertise, and so enjoyable – you need to attempt it! 

No go to to a Onsen Lodge just like the Taisetsu is full with out an incredible Kaiseki dinner – a ten course meal which incorporates scrumptious Sashimi, a second dish with a seasonal theme, Takiawase, Shiizakana, seasonal pickled greens and naturally a scrumptious dessert!

After this tasty expertise we loved an Ainu Tradition efficiency together with the attractive sounding mouth-harp. A few of my buddies went now to the Onsen, which regularly is open until midnight – an ideal approach to finish a phenomenal day.

A Go to to Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park

Daisetsuzan (大雪山) stands as Hokkaido’s most intensive nationwide park, safeguarding an enormous expanse of practically untouched wilderness surpassing the scale of sure smaller Japanese prefectures.

This sanctuary is a haven for climbing fans, nature lovers, in addition to an abode for deer and brown bears. It proudly holds the excellence of being the primary location in Japan to embrace the colourful hues of autumn leafs and the pristine great thing about snowfall every year.

One of the simplest ways to discover this haven is on foot, which is what we did the following morning. Earlier than you’re allowed into the Nationwide Park you must sit by way of a 5 minute schooling session in regards to the bears within the Nationwide Park and how you can behave should you ought to encounter one. It’s informative and made in a enjoyable manner, and after this we hit the path.

The fantastic thing about Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park must be skilled – from climbing previous steaming Fumaroles to tiny streams by which you see Oshorokoma trout swim, it’s one thing which you need to see for your self.

Add in the fantastic thing about the onsetting autumn colours, the attractive lakes which you cross in your hike and the far-reaching views throughout the Nationwide Park and past, and I imagine you’re already testing flights to Hokkaido – you may scroll to the underside of the article for that, to see the very best offers for that, in addition to Resorts and restaurant suggestions!

Asahikawa Design Heart

After our hike we had a incredible lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, earlier than using with the Bus again to Asahikawa and a go to to the Asahikawa Design Heart.

Asahikawa is a UN Design Capital, identical to Helsinki and a handful of different cities throughout the globe, and within the Asahikawa Design Heart you may study extra in regards to the wooden and furnishings trade of the island.

Going by way of the fascinating exhibition we have been led to the wood-working space of the Design Centre, the place we might select from quite a lot of gadgets which we might now craft ourselves! This was lots of enjoyable and it was tough to decide on what to make – ultimately I picked a phenomenal piece of wooden which might turn out to be a small tray for my associate.

In Asahikawa we stayed within the Artwork Lodge. There’s many incredible Resorts on this city of just about 340.000 inhabitants, although the breakfast room on the prime ground of the Artwork Lodge, with attractive views over the town and in the direction of the mountains, makes it a strong selection.

As for Eating places, in a metropolis of this dimension you’ll find something that fits your tastes – from conventional Japanese delicacies over Ramen to extra Western delicacies. This night in Asahikawa we went to eat on the Oysteria Canyon Base on the principle avenue, which affords very tasty Italian meals! There have been additionally incredible Vegan choices, and the deserts have been so scrumptious that we had seconds. 😋

Biking to Higashikawa

The following morning the solar was excessive up within the sky and beckoned us to hitch it on a biking journey. We rode out to the Daisetsuzan Gensui Park, which is a phenomenal Park not too distant from the Asahidake Ropeway.

It’s an exquisite place with a stunning stream which you’ll be able to hike alongside as much as the supply. There’s additionally a car parking zone the place locals come to choose up the water from faucets, as it’s imagined to have therapeutic qualities. It’s undoubtedly very tasty and all of us stuffed up our water bottles!

It was now time for a really good cycle journey to Higashikawa, alongside the shore of the Chubetsu Lake and throughout the dam. We rode on regular streets this primary half, however site visitors was little and the biking was straightforward and enjoyable, with nice views.

On the dam we loved the views again in the direction of the mountains, particularly Asahidake which was the closest and regarded majestic within the heat autumn day.

The following half was arguably essentially the most fulfilling: On a cycle highway with the Chubetsu river on our left and golden rice paddies on our proper. It was completely incredible and one thing to undoubtedly do while you go to!

To prime issues off we even visited a neighborhood rice farmer, and heard how his rice has gained a number of competitions in Japan!

Hokkaido’s rice may be very extremely regarded throughout Japan, even when rice cultivation has solely began right here within the final century when new applied sciences grew to become accessible to develop rice this far north in such brief summers.

We continued into this lovely city which is effectively know throughout the island because the “City of Images” – there are various proficient photographers dwelling right here, and within the city heart you may see lots of of outdated, lovely movie cameras.

Outdoors we loved additionally an interesting exhibition a few film, there’s a Montbell Retailer on the principle highway if you wish to purchase some high-quality out of doors equipment, and the Tofu Tender Serve store subsequent to it’s extremely beneficial – the ice cream is scrumptious! 

Meals competition Asahikawa

After our experience we took the bus again to Asahikawa, the place we went and explored the Meals Pageant which was happening.

It’s an over one kilometer lengthy assortment of lots of of meals stalls on the principle avenue, the place you may eat native and worldwide treats. It’s an absolute feast – and it’s additionally reasonably priced!

Once you’re in September in Asahikawa be sure to plan your go to round this Pageant, because it lets you style a lot scrumptious meals that you’ve purpose to go on a protracted hike or bicycle experience the following day!

On the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum

Once you go to Hokkaido you’ll hear hopefully at one level or one other in regards to the indigenous folks of the island – the Ainu.

Like many indigenous folks they’ve suffered by the hands of others, from being forbidden to talk their language and observe their traditions. Fortunately these days that is not the case, and through our go to to the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum we realized loads in regards to the Ainu and their tradition, which is said to nature & the land.

My favorite reminiscence is studying to play the normal mouth harp, which has a phenomenal sound and is definitely fairly arduous to play, even when it seems to be straightforward.

Having the ability to ask the mother and her son about their tradition and study from then was an inspiring expertise, and should you’re inquisitive about indigenous cultures then a go to here’s a should!

Practicalities: get to Kamikawa, The place to Keep and what to Eat

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Flying to Japan is super-easy and you too can fly on to Asahikawa, which has one of many most-reliable Airports in Japan. You will discover the very best connections from your property airport through Trip.com.

Professional-Tip: Add in a few days in Tokyo on the best way residence – see our Tokyo Tips here!

You should utilize Booking.com to search out the right Lodge in your keep in Asahikawa and ebook it immediately. I can extremely suggest the Hotel WBF Grande Asahikawa which has spacious rooms, a incredible Onsen and a really tasty breakfast buffet.

The AMANEK Asahikawa is the latest Lodge in Asahikawa and is true off the Principal Avenue and a 2 Minutes stroll to the railway station.

The Art Hotel Asahikawa is the place we stayed on this journey and it has comfy rooms and the breakfast buffet on the highest ground may be very good certainly.

There are lots of extra Resorts on the town, so if none of those suit your wants flick thru Booking.com to search out the appropriate Lodge for you!

There are such a lot of super-tasty Eating places in Asahikawa that I solely record my three favorites:

Ramen Santōka is the Greatest Ramen Store on the town. I completely LOVE their Ramen – they’re so tasty that my mouth is watering proper now, simply desirous about them!

If you wish to splurge on Dinner and desire a conventional Japanese expertise then you must go to HATAGO. Have a Japanese buddy assist you make a reservation because it’s very fashionable, after which be sure to attempt the Sashimi which have been godly.

Lastly, Switch Flavor is a Café which affords essentially the most tastiest treats, from Parfaits to cheese cake and extra. This place is completely attractive and perfect for {couples} who desire a romantic Café!