If you ask someone from outside Hokkaido about Asahikawa, you might hear something like, "Asahikawa? Of course I know it. It's where Asahiyama Zoo is, right?" But Asahikawa actually has many other fun tourist spots besides Asahiyama Zoo!

Up until now, when planning a trip to Hokkaido, you might have stopped in Asahikawa just to visit Asahiyama Zoo and then moved on to another city. But from now on, I highly recommend planning a trip that includes staying in Asahikawa.

Then, in Asahikawa, you can explore workshops, visit beautiful gardens and fantastical art museums, enjoy the magnificent beauty of the valleys, participate in activities in nature, or relax in hot springs. Discover the true charm of Asahikawa that you've never known before. Whether you're traveling as a couple, with family, or alone, we guarantee you'll be satisfied!

<Contents>
1. You absolutely can't miss it! Asahiyama Zoo
2. Relax and unwind in the beautiful gardens of Ueno Farm♪
3. Arashiyama in Hokkaido: Arashiyama in the North
4. A breathtakingly fantastical snow museum♪
5. Enjoy an active horseback riding experience! Clark Horse Garden
6. Caution for those with a fear of heights!? The suspension bridge at Kamui Kotan
7. Of course, a trip wouldn't be complete without a hot spring bath! Manyo-no-Yu
8. A 3-night, 4-day Asahikawa itinerary that families and couples can enjoy!

1. You absolutely can't miss it! Asahiyama Zoo

Official pageGuidebooks and other resources contain detailed information on how to get around, so here I'd like to introduce my personal recommendation: "See the animals from below!"

There are several facilities within Asahiyama Zoo where you can see animals from below, but my two top recommendations are the red panda suspension bridge.

If you stand beneath the suspension bridge, you can see adorable red pandas like the one in the picture above walking around through the gaps! The bridge is only 3.5 meters high, so it feels quite close, which is why I recommend it.

And another place you could spend hours in without getting bored is the underwater tunnel in the penguin exhibit. You're sure to be amazed at how fast penguins can swim!

Rather than feeling like you're swimming, it feels like penguins are flying overhead, as if you've stepped into the world of penguins—it's a slightly fantastical experience.

Also, and this is quite unassuming, but in a corner of the children's farm at Asahiyama Zoo, there is a duck that is said to be the smallest in the world. It is about one-third the size of a normal duck, and it is so cute that you'll want to take it home with you.

There are still many other fun facilities and delicious foods to discover, but I encourage you to go and experience them for yourself!

Oh, one last recommendation: the shop at Asahiyama Zoo has some really cute stationery. It's great for personal use, and it's sure to be a hit as a souvenir. You might want to set aside some time to choose souvenirs.

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo
Address: Kuranuma, Higashi-Asahikawa-cho, Asahikawa City
TEL：0166-36-1104　
Opening hours: Late April to mid-October (please check the exact period) 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Mid-October to early November (please check the exact dates) 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
Mid-November to early April (Please check the exact dates) 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Last entry at 3:00 PM)
Evening hours: Around the Obon period in August (please check the exact dates) 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM (last entry at 8:00 PM)
Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport, approximately 40 minutes by bus from Asahikawa Station.
Admission fee: Adults (high school students and older) 800 yen, Junior high school students and younger free
Parking: There are two parking areas in front of the main gate, and a total of approximately 700 spaces within Asahiyama Park and at the new east gate.

For information about bus tours to Asahiyama Zoo, please see the article below♪
・Take a bus to Asahiyama Zoo! Includes a comparison chart of tours departing from Sapporo that you can see at a glance.

2. Relax and unwind in the beautiful gardens of Ueno Farm♪

There's a lovely garden in Asahikawa that somehow reminds me of the world of Tasha Tudor (an American children's book author).

The romantic and charming Ueno Farm apparently started with rice.

In 1989, a system was established that allowed individual farmers to sell their rice. Ueno Farm also began selling rice individually, and as more and more customers started coming to the farm to buy rice directly, they planted flowers along the farm roads to create an attractive landscape so that visitors could enjoy the rural scenery.

Then, in 2001, it was opened to the public as an open garden, and its popularity gradually spread by word of mouth. Now, it has even been fitted out with a general store and a cafe, and has become a popular tourist garden that attracts a constant stream of visitors.

The spirit that began with the desire to bring joy to customers who bought rice is still carried on today, and that's why it has become such a beautiful garden that deeply touches the hearts of those who visit.

Besides the soothing scenery, there are plenty of other things to enjoy. You can enjoy shopping at the garden shop, or relax at a cafe with a comfortable terrace seating area—you'll truly feel what happiness is all about.

At the cafe, you can leisurely enjoy dishes, desserts, and drinks made with seasonal vegetables and fruits. It's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy flowers, food, shopping, and more.

Ueno Farm
Address: 186, 16-chome, Nagayama-cho, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
TEL：0166-47-8741　
Operating period: Late April to mid-October *Please check the exact period. The cafe is also open during winter.
Hours: 10: 00 ~ 17: 00　
Cafe: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (late April to mid-October), last order 4:30 PM
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (during the garden's closure period from mid-October to the end of April) Last order 4:30 PM
Cafe closed every Monday, but open every day during the New Year's holiday and garden opening period.
Admission fee: 800 yen for adults (adults from junior high school age onwards) Free for elementary school children and younger
Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Asahikawa Kita Interchange, and approximately 20 minutes by car to Asahiyama Zoo.

3. Arashiyama in Hokkaido: Arashiyama in the North

"Northern Arashiyama" is the nickname for the Asahioka area of ​​Asahikawa City, and it's a truly charming place, named because its atmosphere is similar to Arashiyama in Kyoto.

For example, Arashiyama Park, a nature park, has hiking trails and is a relaxing spot where you can enjoy nature at your leisure.

Furthermore, Arashiyama in the north is famous as a place where many artists gather, with workshops for pottery, glass, dyeing, and other crafts, as well as charming cafes scattered throughout the area.

You can fully enjoy exploring the town by participating in various workshops, shopping at workshops with attached galleries, and more.

This is a wonderful spot where you can enjoy a leisurely day, strolling through workshops, enjoying various experiences and shopping, relaxing with lunch or tea at a cafe along the way, and connecting with nature in the lush Arashiyama Park.

Northern Arashiyama
TEL: 0166-52-9387 (Northern Arashiyama Liaison Council Secretariat)
Access: Approximately 3 minutes by car from Asahikawa Takasu Interchange. Approximately 40 minutes by car from Asahiyama Zoo.

Below, we'll introduce two recommended shops in Arashiyama, the northern part of Tokyo!

Daisetsu kiln

Image provided by: Daisetsu Kiln
The charming gallery of Daisetsu Kiln, the oldest pottery studio in Asahikawa, displays wonderful works inspired by the vast natural beauty of Hokkaido, making it easy to lose track of time admiring them.

Image provided by: Daisetsu Kiln

But since you've come all the way to a town where artists gather, why not try your hand at pottery making in a spacious workshop, using techniques like hand-building or a professional potter's wheel, and take home a wonderful souvenir that will last a lifetime?

Daisetsu kiln
Address: 2-9-10 Asahioka, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
TEL：0166-51-1972　
Opening hours: 9: 30 to 17: 00　
Experience: Hand-building clay (500g clay) 2,000 yen, Pottery wheel sculpting (1000g clay) 4,000 yen
Capacity: 1 to 80 people (Group discounts available for groups of 20 or more)

Cafe Chamomile

How about stopping for lunch or tea at a hidden gem of a cafe nestled among the greenery along the river during your gallery tour?

At the entrance of the cafe, you'll find handmade rattan baskets by the owner and antique goods from overseas, creating a charming atmosphere befitting an area with many workshops and galleries. With delicious coffee and tea, homemade bread and cakes, it seems like the perfect place to relax and unwind, whether for a light lunch or afternoon tea.

Chamomile
Address: 1-18 Asahioka, Kita-Asahikawa City
TEL：0166-54-2116　
Hours: 11: 00 ~ 17: 00　
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (Open on public holidays; closed during winter: January to March)

4. A breathtakingly fantastical snow museum♪

The Snow Museum, located in a corner of the Hokkaido Traditional Arts and Crafts Village, is a museum whose exterior resembles a medieval European castle.

True to its name, the museum is inspired by the beautiful snowflakes that fall on the Daisetsuzan mountain range, and it is an astonishingly fantastical museum with a dignified atmosphere.

Beyond its exterior and interior, the building offers plenty to see. The Snow Crystal Museum, with its beautifully named name, allows visitors to view snow crystals through video. The museum also features a music hall that doubles as a wedding venue, an art gallery, and an ice corridor, making it a mystical art museum that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Furthermore, there's a plan that women will love: the Snowna Princess Experience, where you can wear a dress and have your picture taken inside the building, making you feel like the star of a movie! Whether you visit with family, as a couple, or with female friends, this is a wonderful plan that is sure to create lifelong memories.

雪の美術館
Address: 3-1-1 Minamigaoka, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
TEL：0166-73-7017　
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00　
Closed days: Open every day (Closed during the New Year holidays from December 30th to January 4th)
Admission fees: Adults 700 yen, High school and university students 500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 400 yen, Seniors (65 and over) 350 yen
Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport; Approximately 15 minutes from JR Asahikawa Station.

5. Enjoy an active horseback riding experience! Clark Horse Garden

Hokkaido is known for its abundance of activities, right? If you're thinking of enjoying horseback riding in Hidaka or Tokachi while you're in Hokkaido, there's actually a wonderful place in Asahikawa where you can enjoy horseback riding surrounded by greenery!

Clark Horse Garden is just a 10-minute drive from Asahiyama Zoo, so if you were captivated by the animals at Asahiyama Zoo and want to interact with them even more, why not try horseback riding?

The great thing about this place is that you can enjoy it all year round, regardless of the season. You can have romantic experiences like riding a horse in the refreshing greenery of spring, amidst the picturesque autumn scenery, or even in the snow. There are also guided horse riding experiences available, so the whole family can enjoy it.

There are also cafes where you can enjoy delicious meals and cottages where you can stay overnight, so if you use this as a base for sightseeing in Asahikawa, you're sure to create even more wonderful memories.

Clark Horse Garden
Address: 160-4 Sakuraoka, Higashi-Asahikawa-cho, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
TEL：0166-36-5963
Opening hours: Summer (please check the exact period) 10:00 AM to sunset (closed on Thursdays)
Winter season (※Please check the exact period) 11:00 AM to sunset (Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)
Menu: Horse riding 1.000 yen and up
Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport, approximately 10 minutes from Asahiyama Zoo.

6. Caution for those with a fear of heights!? The suspension bridge at Kamui Kotan

This valley, long considered a sacred place by the Ainu people and known in the Ainu language as Kamuy (god) Kotan (village), is one of Asahikawa's most scenic spots. It's about a 15-minute drive from Asahikawa city center, and there are also buses from Asahikawa Station.

In particular, it's famous as a spot for viewing autumn foliage, and many tourists visit to enjoy the spectacular scenery. There's even a suspension bridge in the gorge, so you can enjoy a bit of an adventurous feeling.

Photo by Hokkaido Free Stock Photos DO PHOTO http://photo.hokkaido-blog.com/
Also nearby is the station building of Kamui Kotan Station (a designated cultural property of Asahikawa City), which opened in 1901 and was closed in 1969. A steam locomotive is also preserved on the station grounds, making it a tourist spot full of interesting sights.

Kamui Kotan
Address: Kamui-kotan, Kamui-cho, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
TEL: 0166-25-7168 (Asahikawa City Tourism Division)
Parking: Yes
Access: 13km from Fukagawa IC on the Hokkaido Expressway via National Route 12. Approximately 15 minutes.

7. Of course, a trip wouldn't be complete without a hot spring bath! Manyo-no-Yu

Asahikawa is actually the second most populous city in Hokkaido after Sapporo, so it attracts many business travelers as well as tourists, and hotel-type accommodations are prominent throughout the city. Therefore, many people who use Asahikawa as a base for sightseeing will likely stay in a hotel. And for those who are thinking, "Since I'm on vacation, I'd like to stretch out in an open-air bath or a large bath," this is highly recommended.

Located in Asahikawa Takasagodai, surrounded by the Daisetsuzan mountain range, and just a 10-minute drive from Asahikawa Station, near the aforementioned Snow Museum, "Manyo no Yu" is a day-trip hot spring facility open until 9 PM, offering open-air baths, saunas, large public baths, a restaurant, and various spa treatments. When you're traveling and often on an active trip, soaking in an open-air bath is truly wonderful.

Asahikawa Takasagodai Manyo no Yu
Address: 1-1-52 Takasagodai, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
TEL：0166-62-8910
Business hours: 10:00-21:00
Price: Varies depending on the day of the week. Weekday Special Set Admission Fee　
Adults (junior high school age and older): 1,026 yen, Children (elementary school age): 518 yen, Children under elementary school age: Free
Parking: Available (300 spaces)
Access: 10 minutes by car from JR Asahikawa Station; 10 minutes from Asahikawa Takasu Interchange.

8. A 3-night, 4-day Asahikawa itinerary that families and couples can enjoy!

This is a model itinerary for visiting the attractive tourist spots in Asahikawa that we have introduced so far, using a rental car from Asahikawa Airport, over 3 nights and 4 days.
(The map isCLICK HERE)

It's also possible to shorten the time spent on each activity to create a 2-night, 3-day trip, or to extend your stay at a spot that interests you. I hope this will be helpful.

Final thoughts

So, that concludes our introduction to the must-see sights of Asahikawa. What did you think?

Spend a relaxing day at Asahiyama Zoo. Be soothed by the beautiful gardens. Explore Arashiyama in the north with hands-on craft experiences, workshops, and cafe hopping. Immerse yourself in a fantastical world at an art museum, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of a valley, have some active fun with horseback riding, and then relax in a hot spring...

There aren't many places where you can have this much fun! For your next trip to Hokkaido, why not stay in Asahikawa and fully enjoy the charms of Asahikawa?

[Related Articles]
~Introducing gardens in Asahikawa and other parts of Hokkaido~
・[Hokkaido Garden Road] Enjoy the great outdoors at 8 gardens!
~Night view of Asahikawa is also included~
Five cities in Hokkaido with stunning night views that are perfect for dates and trips!
~Introducing the "Snow Museum" in winter~
Is this really Japan?! 10 Must-See Stunning White Hokkaido Sceneries You Can Only See in Winter

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