Around Daisetsuzan 6 Day Hiking Tour

Asahidake Onsen is a popular entry point to Daisetsuzan National Park. The park is Japan’s largest in size, and one of the first designated as a National Park in 1934. While Daisetsuzan is typically known as the Roof of Hokkaido, in the Ainu world, it is known as ”kamuy-mintar”, meaning the Playground of the Gods.

We make our way into this sacred location by cable car to Sugatami Station at 1,600m/5,250ft, then start climbing to the summit of Mt Asahidake (2,291m/7,516ft), the highest peak in Hokkaido. Our journey continues on the outer ring of the majestic Ohachidaira volcanic caldera, which was formed by an eruption about 30,000 years ago.

In the afternoon, we set foot on the summit of Mt Hokkaidake (2,149m/7515ft) and Mt Kurodake (1,984m/6510ft) before descending into the Sounkyo Gorge with the help of a chair lift followed by another cable car. Sounkyo Gorge is a picturesque onsen village nestled between the mountains and the cliffs, making it a popular destination for onsen, hiking, skiing and our welcome home for the night.

Note – depending on the weather of the day and the group dynamics, we may change the traverse hike to a loop hike, returning via Nakadake Onsen after summiting Mt. Asahidake. This hike still takes you to the outer rim of Ohachidaira Caldera but lets us drop down to lower elevation sooner, avoiding spending the whole day on the exposed caldera rim. The distance and the duration are similar to the traverse and we will transfer by van to Sounkyo.

Included meals
– Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
– Ryokan in Sounkyo Gorge
Hiking distance
– 12.5 km / 7.7 miles
Elevation gain
– 860m / 2,822ft
Time
– 8 to 9 hours

Today we will have an early start and drive over to Kogen Onsen which is 1 hour away from Sounkyo. Daisetsu Kogen serves as a trailhead for the popular Kogen Numa (alpine tarns) hiking trail. This area is far from civilization and home to a great number of native brown bears, higuma, which are occasionally spotted by hikers in early summer. After arriving we have a briefing at the Higuma Information Centre about the bear activity and the latest sightings and then we hit the trail.

Situated between 1,230m-1,460m (4035ft-4790ft) above sea level, the Kogen Numa provides opportunities to observe alpine flora and over a dozen alpine tarns of various sizes scattered along the trail. Once we return from our hike, we board our van to transfer to Nukabira Onsen, a hot spring village situated by Lake Nukabira. We overnight at a historical hotel that has been renovated into a modern Japanese-style inn and is run by a friendly local family.

Included meals
– Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
– Ryokan in Nukabira Onsen
Hiking distance
– 8 km / 5 miles
Elevation gain
– 260m / 850ft
Time
– 5 to 6 hours

We’ll kick the day off with a drive along Lake Shikaribetsu on a road only open during the snowless months from April to October. After approximately 30 mins, we’ll arrive at the start of the trail to Mt Hakuunzan on the shore of Lake Shikaribetsu. We will take a loop walk to the top of Mt Hakuunzan (1,186m/3,890ft) and back on the lakeshore trail, which usually takes about 3 hours to complete. From the summit there’s a stunning view of Lake Shikaribetsu and if we are lucky, a chance to spot the Northern pika (rock rabbit) in their rocky dwellings.

After our hike, we’ll have a lunch at cafe on the lake side, and then drive 2 hours to our accommodation in Furano. The Furano City is known for its flower gardens, fresh produce and scenic landscapes set among the Tokachi Volcanic Group on one side and the Yubari Mountain Range on the other. Tonight, we will dine out in the downtown Furano.

Included meals
– Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
– Hotel in Furano
Hiking distance
– 5 km / 3 miles
Elevation gain
– 280m / 920ft
Time
– 3 to 4 hours

We’ll have an early breakfast at hotel, and head out for the trailhead of Mt Furanodake situated at 1,270m / 4,167ft above sea level. On the way, we will drop by a store to buy lunch and snacks to enjoy the picnic during the hike.

Mt Furanodake is one of Japan’s Top 100 mountains famous for flowers and the peak attracts hikers from all over Japan to admire the alpine flowers in bloom during the summer months. As well as the flowers, the views over the adjoining peaks of Mt Sanpouzan, Mt Kamifuranodake and Mt Tokachidake from the ridgeline are breathtaking. It is a fitting finale to conclude our multi-day hiking adventure in the Daisetsuzan Mountains.

After the hike, we will transfer by van for 70 mins and return Asahikawa, where we started our journey. We will celebrate the completion of tour over dinner in downtown Asahikawa.

Included meals
– Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation
– Hotel in Asahikawa
Hiking distance
– 10km / 6.2 miles
Elevation gain
– 570m / 1,870 ft
Time
– 5 to 6 hours

Our tour finishes after breakfast at hotel. You can walk over to the Asahikawa JR Station, from where you can take a train to Sapporo or a bus to the Asahikawa Airport to get to your next destination. Itterashai!

Included meals
– Breakfast
No Hiking