- Itinerary:Daisetsuzan National park & Sounkyo Onsen
- Duration:3 days / 2 nights
- Price:From £0 per person (excluding flights)
Impressive mountain scenery, sweeping valleys and stunning panoramas await you in Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan’s largest national park. From Sounkyo, explore unspoilt nature on varied walks at your own pace and experience Hokkaido’s pristine beauty up close. After active days in the mountains, unwind in the soothing tranquillity of a traditional ryokan with an onsen—the perfect place to relax and reflect on the day’s experiences.
Day 1 – Arrival in Sounkyo Onsen
Travel time: approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on your starting point
During the day, you’ll arrive in your rental car in Sounkyo Onsen, a small town in the northern part of Daisetsuzan National Park. This vast mountainous region is the largest of its kind in Japan, boasting pristine wilderness, active volcanic landscapes, and Hokkaido’s highest peak: Mount Asahidake. If you’re traveling from Furano or Sapporo, a stop at the Asahidake Visitor Center is well worth your time. Here you’ll find comprehensive information about Daisetsuzan National Park.
Sounkyo itself has a somewhat rugged feel and enjoys a quiet, remote setting amid spectacular natural scenery. Besides a handful of places to stay, there is just a small convenience store and a few simple restaurants. The upside is that you are truly immersed in nature here. Your ryokan offers a comfortable stay with traditional touches, good food and a lovely onsen. After arriving, take the opportunity to visit the Visitor Center so you can head out well prepared. Here you can get up-to-date information on hiking trails, weather conditions and any bear sightings. In this region, it is also customary to attach a bear bell to your backpack. You can buy one locally, and it makes a nice souvenir of your trip through Hokkaido.
Day 2 – Hiking with panoramic views in the national park
Today, you’ll experience the impressive mountain scenery of Daisetsuzan National Park up close. Take the cable car and chairlift up to Kurodake 7th Station at an elevation of around 1,520 metres. Several hiking trails start here, leading through this remarkable volcanic landscape.
The scenery changes with the seasons: in early summer, alpine meadows bloom between the last remaining snowfields; in summer, the slopes turn deep green; and in autumn, the landscape transforms into a spectacular palette of colors. Those who wish can continue hiking to the summit of Mount Kurodake, where they are rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
Keep in mind that it is important to check the weather and trail conditions beforehand, as there may still be snow even in summer.
Day 3 – Exploring around Sounkyo Onsen & traveling onward
Before you continue your journey today, there is still time for a few short excursions around Sounkyo Onsen. You could take a walk to a hidden waterfall near your ryokan or visit Sounkyo Canyon. From a viewing point, you can see the Ryusei and Ginga waterfalls cascading spectacularly down the rock faces.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Hiking in Daisetsuzan National Park – Overnight stay in Asahikawa
- Price:
- Included:overnight stays
Is the location of your accommodation less important to you, and would you rather keep costs down? Then we’ll arrange for you to stay in Asahikawa. As Hokkaido’s second-largest city, it offers an affordable base for exploring Daisetsuzan National Park, with plenty of typical Japanese city hotels. You’ll stay here for two nights, giving you a full day to explore the surrounding area and, in particular, the national park. From Asahikawa, you can reach Sounkyo Onsen, one of the park’s three main gateways, in just over an hour.