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

Whereas it’s simply neglected for extra distant areas on Hokkaido, Kamikawa has so much to supply to the outside fanatic who’d prefer to discover mountains, rivers and get to know the native Ainu tradition.

It’s additionally residence to the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, the largest 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 definitely 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’ve in the direction of the mountains, but in addition the scrumptious meals the Cooks conjure up in your plate! We had the most superb six course meal which can make your mouth water. 🤤

Images Museum of Koetsu Ichinei

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

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

Sounkyo Customer Centre

After this inspiring go to, in which Ichinei-San has instructed us about his love for the mountains, we made a go to to the Sounkyo Customer Centre down the street, the place we discovered extra about the Nationwide Park which we’ll go to the subsequent day.

Resort Taisetsu – Kaiseki dinner

Resort Taisetsu is our residence for the evening, on the doorstep of the Nationwide Park and never far-off from the Mt. Kurodake Ropeway.

The native deer welcome us and after shifting our belongings into our conventional and spacious rooms we head to the Onsen, which is situated at the prime ground and overlooks the mountains. Sitting in the steaming scorching spring water whereas it’s a bit chilly exterior and overlooking the nature is a tremendous expertise, and so enjoyable – you need to strive it! 

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

After this tasty expertise we loved an Ainu Tradition efficiency together with the stunning sounding mouth-harp. Some of my mates went now to the Onsen, which frequently is open until midnight – an ideal strategy to finish a fantastic 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 dimension of sure smaller Japanese prefectures.

This sanctuary is a haven for climbing fanatics, nature lovers, in addition to an abode for deer and brown bears. It proudly holds the distinction of being the first location in Japan to embrace the vibrant hues of autumn leafs and the pristine magnificence of snowfall annually.

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

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

Add in the magnificence of the onsetting autumn colours, the attractive lakes which you move in your hike and the far-reaching views throughout the Nationwide Park and past, and I consider you might be already trying out flights to Hokkaido – you’ll be able to scroll to the backside of the article for that, to see the greatest offers for that, in addition to Accommodations and restaurant suggestions!

Asahikawa Design Center

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

Asahikawa is a UN Design Capital, similar to Helsinki and a handful of different cities throughout the globe, and in the Asahikawa Design Center you’ll be able to study extra about the wooden and furnishings trade of the island.

Going by means of the attention-grabbing exhibition we have been led to the wood-working space of the Design Centre, the place we may select from a spread of gadgets which we may now craft ourselves! This was so much of enjoyable and it was tough to decide on what to make – in the finish I picked a fantastic piece of wooden which might turn out to be a small tray for my accomplice.

In Asahikawa we stayed in the Artwork Resort. There’s many improbable Accommodations in this city of virtually 340.000 inhabitants, although the breakfast room at the prime ground of the Artwork Resort, with attractive views over the metropolis and in the direction of the mountains, makes it a strong alternative.

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

Biking to Higashikawa

The subsequent morning the solar was excessive up in the sky and beckoned us to affix it on a biking journey. We rode out to the Daisetsuzan Gensui Park, which is a fantastic Park not too far-off from the Asahidake Ropeway.

It’s a beautiful 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 presupposed to have therapeutic qualities. It’s undoubtedly very tasty and all of us crammed 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 visitors was little and the biking was simple and enjoyable, with nice views.

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

The subsequent half was arguably the most fulfilling: On a cycle street with the Chubetsu river on our left and golden rice paddies on our proper. It was completely improbable and one thing to undoubtedly do if 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 could be very extremely regarded throughout Japan, even when rice cultivation has solely began right here in the final century when new applied sciences turned accessible to develop rice this far north in such quick summers.

We continued into this stunning city which is nicely know throughout the island as the “City of Images” – there are a lot of gifted photographers residing right here, and in the city heart you’ll be able to see lots of of outdated, stunning movie cameras.

Outdoors we loved additionally a captivating exhibition a few film, there’s a Montbell Retailer on the important street if you wish to purchase some high-quality outside equipment, and the Tofu Tender Serve store subsequent to it’s extremely really useful – the ice cream is scrumptious! 

Meals competition Asahikawa

After our journey 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 important avenue, the place you’ll be able to eat native and worldwide treats. It’s an absolute feast – and it’s additionally inexpensive!

Once you’re in September in Asahikawa be certain that to plan your go to round this Pageant, because it means that you can style a lot scrumptious meals that you’ve cause to go on a protracted hike or bicycle journey the subsequent day!

At the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum

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

Like many indigenous folks they’ve suffered at the arms of others, from being forbidden to talk their language and apply their traditions. Fortunately these days that is not the case, and through our go to to the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum we discovered so much about the Ainu and their tradition, which is expounded to nature & the land.

My favorite reminiscence is studying to play the conventional mouth harp, which has a fantastic sound and is definitely fairly laborious to play, even when it seems to be simple.

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

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

First off: Get an eSim from Airalo. It really works a deal with and means that you can use Google Maps, Translate and every part else for as little as 3$/ GB. I like to recommend their 5 GB Bundle when you keep lower than two weeks, after which merely top-up your account as wanted. Use the Code HENDRI0415 to get 3$!

Flying to Japan is super-easy and you too can fly on to Asahikawa, which has one of the most-reliable Airports in Japan. You’ll find the greatest connections from your house airport through Journey.com.

Professional-Tip: Add in a pair of days in Tokyo on the manner residence – see our Tokyo Suggestions right here!

You should utilize Reserving.com to seek out the excellent Resort in your keep in Asahikawa and e-book it immediately. I can extremely suggest the Resort WBF Grande Asahikawa which has spacious rooms, a improbable Onsen and a really tasty breakfast buffet.

The AMANEK Asahikawa is the latest Resort in Asahikawa and is true off the Most important Road and a 2 Minutes stroll to the railway station.

The Artwork Resort Asahikawa is the place we stayed on this journey and it has comfy rooms and the breakfast buffet on the prime ground could be very good certainly.

There are lots of extra Accommodations in city, so if none of these suit your wants flick through Reserving.com to seek out the proper Resort 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 in city. I completely LOVE their Ramen – they’re so tasty that my mouth is watering proper now, simply fascinated by them!

If you wish to splurge on Dinner and desire a conventional Japanese expertise then it’s a must to go to HATAGO. Have a Japanese good friend enable you make a reservation because it’s very talked-about, after which be certain that to strive the Sashimi which have been godly.

Lastly, Change Taste is a Café which gives the most tastiest treats, from Parfaits to cheese cake and extra. This place is totally attractive and superb for {couples} who desire a romantic Café!