Asahidake (旭岳) is one of the most famous mountains in Japan, and often on tourists itineraries if coming in summer or autumns. Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉) is a small hot spring town at the bottom of Asahidake mountain, which provides a great place to start or relax at the end of a hike.
Budget travel tips
- Stay at a mountain hut or camp site to save on costs. Ask at the Asahidake Visitor Center next to the ropeway for more info.
- Bring enough cash and stock up on food in Asahikawa, as the facilities aren’t so good here.
Things to do
Climb Mount Asahidake
A 5 hour hike up, which can be cut in half if you use the ropeway (see below). Lots of interesting volcanic activity to see. Snow does sometime remain on the first part, so ask about this route at the Asahidake Visitor Center before going up.
Hike to Sounkyo Onsen
This classic hike can be done in a day if you get up early in the morning. You can also stay in a mountain hut or camp site for a reasonable fee (ask at the Asahidake Visitor Center). The hike takes you through some cool volcanic areas and mountains, plus has a free hot spring (Nakadake Onsen/中岳温泉) if you take a little detour!
Make a customized hike
You can go into the Asahidake Visitor Center and pick up a map, then make your own route. Ask the staff for any advice or recommendations, as there are some free camp sites and mountain huts (some of which allow you to rent a sleeping bag and other bed items).
Relax in a hot spring
Yukomanso (湯元 湧駒荘) seems to have the best hot spring, with inside and outside baths. It’s located on the main road, a short walk from the ropeway. Most hotels allow non-guests to enjoy the hot springs for as cheap as 500 yen.
Asahidake Ropeway
A nice way to cut out the hardest part of the hike, the ropeway provides an amazing view over the volcanic area.
Round-trip price (high season/low season): Adults 2900/1800 yen, children 1450/900 yen
One-way price (high season/low season): Adults 1650/1100 yen, children 830/550 yen
How to get there
From Asahikawa station, take a bus to Asahidake (90 mins, 1430 yen). There is a bus to Asahidake at 9:30, 12:30 and 15:30, with buses returning to Asahikawa at 11:15, 14:15 and 17:15.
Map
Hostels and cheap hotels
There is not much cheap accommodation here, so if you can’t find anything below ask about availability of camp sites and mountain huts at the Asahikawa station Tourist Information Center or in the Asahidake Visitor Center.
More at Booking.com
Super Cheap Japan 