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[2025 Edition] 20 Recommended Driving Spots Near Asahikawa! Including Experience Spots Where You Can See and Touch the Majestic Nature and Animals
The Asahikawa area is surrounded by mountains and forests, and is a region rich in nature with a beautiful lake. There are many places where you can enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons, as well as interact with animals with your family or partner. In this article, we will introduce some driving spots near Asahikawa that you will be satisfied with no matter how many times you visit!
- Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City) where you can see animals in their natural surroundings
- The 135m-long Toma Limestone Cave (Toma Town) was created over a long period of time.
- Daisetsu Forest Garden (Kamikawa Town): Two types of gardens with panoramic views of the Daisetsu mountain range
- "World Sheep Museum (Shibetsu City)" where you can interact with rare sheep
- Take an aerial stroll to the highest mountain in Hokkaido: Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway (Higashikawa Town)
- Nayoro City Astronomical Observatory Kitasubaru (Nayoro City), home to the second largest telescope in Japan
- Relax with handmade soba noodles and hot springs at Roadside Station Mori to Uminosato Horokanai (Horokanai Town)
- Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchicho): Where you can buy goods made from alpaca wool
- Lake Shumarinai (Horokanai Town) - a lake with 13 islands of various sizes
- "Field Athletics (Toma Town)" is a casual activity that the whole family can enjoy.
- Gomi Onsen (Shimokawa Town), known as a beauty bath
- "Kurumi Garden (Toma Town)" where over 100 kinds of flowers bloom
- Experience the world of food and picture books in Kenbuchi Town at Roadside Station Ehon no Sato Kenbuchi (Kenbuchi Town)
- Lake Sakuraoka (Kenbuchi Town) where you can enjoy fishing, canoeing, and smelt fishing
- Former Kamuikotan Station (Asahikawa City): A precious example of Western-style architecture from the Meiji period
- The beautiful harmony between the lake surface and the bridge at "Iwaonai Lake (Shibetsu City)"
- "Hiyoku Falls and Senko Falls (Nayoro City)" where you can see the impressive waterfalls up close
- Hokkaido's first full-scale racing kart course "Kartland ARK (Aibetsu Town)"
- The guardian deity of the mountain, "Sojin no Matsu" (Shibetsu City), is said to be 1,300 years old.
- "Nobuya Nakai Stone Sculpture Park (Aibetsu Town)" displays works by sculptors from Aibetsu Town
1. Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City) - See animals in their natural surroundings
Asahiyama Zoo is a popular tourist spot that represents Hokkaido. The unique "behavioral exhibits" allow you to see the lively movements of animals close to those in the wild, and the "munching time" where you can see the animals eating in a natural way is a must-see. There are also many elaborate initiatives and seasonal events such as the orangutan aerial walk and night zoo in the summer and the penguin walk in the winter.
■ Business hours ・January 2nd (Thursday) - April 7th (Monday) 10:30-15:30 (Last entry 15:00) ・April 26th (Sat) - October 15th (Wed) 9:30-17:15 (Last entry 16:00) ・October 16th (Thursday) - November 3rd (Monday) 9:30-16:30 (Last entry 16:00) ・November 11th (Tuesday) - December 29th (Monday) 10:30-15:30 (Last entry 15:00) <Special opening> ・February 8th (Sat) - February 10th (Mon) 10:30-20:30 (Last entry 20:00) ・August 10th (Sat) - August 16th (Fri) 9:30-21:00 (Last entry 20:00) *Opening hours may change, so please check the official website. ■Closed on: April 8th to April 25th, November 4th to November 10th, December 30th to January 1st ■Admission fee: High school students and above 1,000 yen / Special admission fee for city residents 700 yen / Free for junior high school students and below ■ Location: Kuranuma, Higashiasahikawa-cho, Asahikawa City Click here for details and maps of "Asahiyama Zoo"
2. Toma Limestone Cave (Toma Town): A 135m-long cave created over a long period of time
Toma Cave is a limestone cave that has been formed over a long period of time since the Jurassic Period 150 million years ago. The cave, which boasts a total length of 135m, was discovered in 1957 and designated as a Hokkaido Natural Monument in 1961. It is also known as an important cave where you can see the academically very rare "macaroni stalactites."
■Opening hours: Late April to late October, 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30) ■Closed: Late October to late April ■Price: High school students and above 600 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 400 yen *Free for children under elementary school age ■Location: Kaimei 4th Ward, Touma Town, Kamikawa District Click here for details and maps of "Toma Limestone Cave"
3. Daisetsu Mori no Garden (Kamikawa Town): Two types of gardens with panoramic views of the Daisetsu mountain range
A garden located on a hilltop that offers a panoramic view of the Daisetsu mountain range. The "Forest Flower Garden" where a wide variety of flowers bloom in full glory as if competing with one another, the "Forest Guest House" that makes use of the natural environment of the place to create a relaxing atmosphere, and the "Play Forest" a green space in the deep forest. These three gardens with different characteristics are sure to delight visitors.
■Opening hours: April 26th (Saturday) to October 13th (Monday) 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) ■Admission fee: High school students and above 1,000 yen / Junior high school students 500 yen / Elementary school students and below free *The Mori no Hanazono area will be open to the public free of charge from Saturday, April 26th to Friday, May 16th. ■Address: 841-8 Kikusui, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun For more information and maps about "Daisetsu Mori no Garden," please click here.
4. The World Sheep Museum (Shibetsu City) - Interact with Rare Sheep
This is a place where you can meet rare breeds of sheep from around the world, as well as sheep that can only be seen here in Japan. Limited-time "sheep shearing shows" and "sheepdog shows" are held, and you can also experience interacting with sheep. You can also enjoy a tractor cruise with sheep on the vast Cloud Hills.
■ Business hours ・World Sheep Museum: April to September 10:00 to 16:00 / October to March 10:00 to 15:00 ・Sheep shearing show & tractor cruising: Golden Week, consecutive holidays, etc. ■Closed: Wednesdays from April to September / Wednesdays and Thursdays from October to March *Excluding Golden Week and New Year's holidays ■Price ・Admission fee: Adults 300 yen / Children 150 yen ・Tractor cruising: 500 yen per person (approximately 15 minutes) ■Address: 5351 Nishishibetsucho, Shibetsu City For details and maps of the "World Sheep Museum," please click here.
5. Take an aerial stroll to the highest mountain in Hokkaido: Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway (Higashikawa Town)
If you take the Asahidake Ropeway, you can take an aerial stroll above Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido, for about 10 minutes. From the window, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Daisetsu, alpine plants blooming in the summer, and autumn leaves in September. This is a popular spot where you can experience the dynamic four seasons of the Daisetsu mountain range all year round.
■Opening hours: *The operating hours of the Asahidake Ropeway vary depending on the season, so please check the official website. ■Closed: May 12th (Mon) to May 23rd (Fri) *Due to maintenance and inspection ■Price November 1st to May 31st Junior high school students and above: round trip 2,600 yen, one-way 1,500 yen / Children: round trip 1,700 yen, one-way 1,100 yen June 1st to October 31st Junior high school students and above: round trip 3,500 yen, one way 2,200 yen / Children: round trip 1,750 yen, one way 1,100 yen ■Location: Asahidake Onsen, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps for "Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway"
6. Nayoro City Astronomical Observatory Kitasubaru (Nayoro City) - Home to Japan's second largest telescope
It is home to one of the largest telescopes in Japan, and is conducting star observations and research in collaboration with Hokkaido University. The entire roof slides open to create an open observation room with a panoramic view of the night sky, and it is also equipped with a telescope for solar observations. On clear days, you can enjoy dynamic solar activity on a large monitor, and it is also home to the Pirika Telescope, the second largest public observatory in Japan.
■ Business hours: *Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. ・April to October 13:00 to 21:30 ・November to March of the following year 13:00 to 20:00 ■Closed: Mondays (except for public holidays) / the day after a public holiday (except for Sundays and Saturdays) / the last Tuesday of every month (if it falls on a public holiday or the day after a public holiday, the last Tuesday will be postponed accordingly) / December 29th to January 1st ■Admission fee: Adults 410 yen / Students 310 yen / 65 years and older 200 yen / High school students and younger free ■Address: 157-1 Nisshin, Nayoro City Click here for details and map information for "Nayoro City Astronomical Observatory Kitasubaru"
7. Relax with handmade soba noodles and hot springs at Roadside Station Mori to Uminosato Horokanai (Horokanai Town)
The roadside station "Forest and Lake Village Horokanai" on National Route 275 is attractive for its center house "Seiwa Onsen Ruonto" and "Products Hall." After relaxing and relieving your body fatigue in the open-air hot spring bath "Mitsuto no Yu," you can enjoy meals including handmade soba noodles, a specialty of Horokanai, at the restaurant "Soba no Sato."
■ Business hours ・Seiwa Onsen Ruonto 10:00-21:00 (reception until 20:30) *Times may be shortened during the New Year holidays ・Restaurant "Soba no Sato" 11:30-14:00 / 15:00-20:30 (15:00-20:00 from December to March) *Last orders 30 minutes before closing ・Roadside Station Product Hall: Late April to mid-November 10:00-17:00 ■Closed: Hot spring and restaurant closed on Wednesdays / Product store closed on Tuesdays *Closed during winter ■Price: Seiwa Onsen Ruonto Adults 500 yen / Elementary school students 250 yen / Toddlers free ■Location: Masakazu 1, Horokanai-cho, Uryu-gun For more information and maps about Roadside Station Mori to Uminosato Horokanai, click here.
8. Viva Alpaca Farm (Kenbuchi Town): Where you can buy goods made from alpaca wool
This is a ranch where you can not only interact with alpacas, but also walk along the path leading to the mountaintop and enjoy the view from the top. In spring and summer, the slopes are covered with clover and flowers, which the alpacas love, and in winter, you can experience airboarding on a special slope and observe frost-covered trees.
■ Business hours: 10:00-16:00 ■Closed days: Open everyday ■Price: High school students and above 700 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 300 yen / Infants and toddlers free ■Address: 3733 Higashimachi, Kenbuchi-cho Click here for details and maps of "Viva Alpaca Farm"
9. Lake Shumarinai (Horokanai Town): A lake with 13 islands of all sizes
Lake Shumarinai is designated as a prefectural natural park and is the largest man-made lake in Japan. The area is a virgin area subject to strict regulations for nature conservation, and the 13 islands of various sizes floating on the lake show different faces throughout the seasons. The lake is also home to the phantom fish, the huchen, the largest freshwater fish in Japan, and is known as a mysterious lake.
■Location: Lake Shumarinai, Horokanai-cho, Uryu-gun For details and maps of "Lake Shumarinai", click here
10. Field Athletics (Toma Town): A casual activity the whole family can enjoy
You can enjoy about 30 different types of athletic equipment in the forest. There are also athletic equipment for small children so that they can play safely and enjoyably. This is a place where you can fully enjoy the thrill of outdoor leisure with your family or friends.
■Opening hours: Late April to late October, 9:00-17:00 ■Closed: Late October to late April ■Price: Adults 600 yen / Children 400 yen ■Location: 6th Ward, Touma Town, Kamikawa District Click here for details and maps for "Field Athletics"
11. Gomi Onsen (Shimokawa Town), known as a beauty bath
The hot spring quality of Gomi Onsen, a hot spring resort with a history of about 100 years, is a high-quality "bicarbonate dioxide-containing salt spring" that is rarely seen in Japan. It is said to be effective for neurosis and skin diseases, and is also popular as a "beauty bath." Due to the effects of carbon dioxide, this spring quality is expected to lower blood pressure in hypertension patients without putting strain on the heart, and in Europe it is known as the "heart bath" and is considered a precious treasure.
■ Business hours: Day trip bathing 10:00-21:30 (last admission 20:30) ■Closed on: Monday, January 20th, Monday, February 17th, Monday, March 17th, Monday, April 21st, Monday, May 19th, Monday, June 16th, Monday, June 17th, Tuesday, July 14th, Monday, August 18th, Monday, September 8th, Monday, October 20th, Monday, November 17th, Monday, December 1st ■Price: Day bathing: Adults 500 yen / 5 years old to elementary school students 300 yen ■Address: 2893, Bankei, Shimokawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Gomi Onsen"
12. "Kurumi Garden (Toma Town)" where more than 100 kinds of flowers bloom
About 7,700 flowers of over 100 varieties are in full bloom, and you can play in the earth tunnels and glass mazes. The garden is known for its beauty and excitement, supervised by Ueno Farm Gardener Sayuki Ueno.
■ Business hours: April 26th (Sat) to October 26th (Sun) 9:00-17:00 ■Closed days: Open throughout the period ■ Price: Free ■Location: 6th Ward, Touma Town, Kamikawa District For details and maps of "Kurumina Garden", please click here.
13. Experience the world of food and picture books in Kenbuchi Town at Roadside Station Ehon no Sato Kenbuchi (Kenbuchi Town)
The roadside station "Kenbuchi Picture Book Village" is themed around the food and agriculture of Kenbuchi Town and the memorable world of picture books. It also has a corner where you can read picture books freely, a corner selling picture book goods, and a takeaway corner where you can enjoy freshly baked bread and croquettes made with local vegetables. There are plenty of facilities that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, including a direct sales store for fresh agricultural products, a wide selection of souvenirs, a dog run, and a wooden ball pool.
■Opening hours: May to September 9:00 to 17:00 / October to April 9:00 to 16:00 ■Closed days: Open everyday ■Address: 2420 Higashimachi, Kenbuchi-cho, Kamikawa-gun Click here for details and maps of "Roadside Station Ehon no Sato Kenbuchi"
14. Lake Sakuraoka (Kenbuchi Town) - Enjoy fishing, canoeing, and smelt fishing
The lake offers a variety of fun in every season: cherry blossoms in spring, fishing and canoeing in summer, gorgeous autumn leaves in fall, and smelt fishing in winter. The surrounding area also features the hot spring accommodation facility "Lakeside Sakuraoka," an auto campsite, and a park golf course, making it a fun place for the whole family.
■Address: 5173 Higashimachi, Kenbuchi-cho Click here for details and maps of Lake Sakuraoka
15. Former Kamuikotan Station (Asahikawa City): A precious example of Western-style architecture from the Meiji period
This station building was built in 1901 and was actually used until it was closed in 1969. It was restored in 1989 and designated as a cultural asset by Asahikawa City as an example of Western-style architecture from the Meiji period. Today, it is loved by many people as a popular spot in the scenic Kamuikotan area and as a rest area on the Asahikawa Cycling Road.
■Location: Kamuikotan, Kamuicho, Asahikawa City Click here for details and maps of "Old Kamuikotan Station"
16. The beautiful harmony between the lake surface and the bridge: Lake Iwaonai (Shibetsu City)
This is a dam lake created by damming the long, northernmost Teshio River. The Iwaonai Ohashi Bridge, which crosses the lake, is reflected on its surface, creating a beautiful view of the harmony between nature and man-made formations. There are campsites and bungalows in the surrounding area, and you can enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing, and boating on the lake.
■Opening hours: Gate for pleasure boats, etc. Early June to September 30th 9:00-15:30 ■ Location: Iwaonai, Asahi-cho, Shibetsu City Click here for details and maps of "Iwaonai Lake"
17. "Hiyoku Falls and Senko Falls (Nayoro City)" where you can see the impressive waterfalls up close
In Chito, Nayoro City, there are the "Hiyoku Falls" and "Shinkou Falls," and the falls are spectacular when viewed up close from the promenade. The water volume is particularly high in May and June after the snow melts, making them a sight to behold. While strolling around the area, you can ease your fatigue from everyday life by listening to the sound of the water and observing wild birds and plants.
■ Best time to see: Spring ■Location: Chiebun, Nayoro City Click here for details and maps of "Hiyoku Falls and Senko Falls"
18. Hokkaido's first full-scale racing kart course, Kartland ARK (Aibetsu Town)
This is the first full-scale racing kart course in northern Hokkaido, with a total length of about 650m. There are two-seater karts, junior karts, bikes, and more, so you can safely enjoy it with friends and family. The wind pressure at the maximum speed of 60km/h will make you feel like you're in an F1 car.
■Opening hours: From late April to November when snow falls, 10:00-17:00 (9:00- on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) *Reservations required on Thursdays and Fridays ■Closed on Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday) ■Location: Kanatomi 3rd Ward, Aibetsu Town Click here for details and map information for "Kirtland ARK"
19. "Sojin no Matsu (Shibetsu City)", the guardian deity of the mountain, said to be 1,300 years old
The 1,300-year-old yew tree is called the "ancestral pine tree" and has been worshipped as the guardian deity of the mountain. Even among the familiar yew trees of Hokkaido, this one is extremely large, measuring 18m in height, 2.4m in diameter, and 7.5m in trunk circumference, and is designated as a cultural asset by Shibetsu City.
■Location: Gakudendo Forest, Nishishibetsu-cho, Shibetsu City For more information and maps about "Sojin no Matsu" please click here
20. Nakai Nobuya Stone Sculpture Park (Aibetsu Town) - A lineup of works by sculptors from Aibetsu Town
In the Aibetsu Rural Park in Kitamachi, Aibetsu Town, works by sculptor Nobuya Nakai, who is from the town, are on display. The park was developed as part of the Aibetsu Town 120th Anniversary Project, and 12 pieces of work scattered around the town were brought together in the park. You can take your time appreciating the works in this rare stone sculpture park, which is rare even nationwide.
■Location: Aibetsucho Kitamachi For details and maps of "Nobuya Nakai Stone Sculpture Park", please click here.
*All information listed is current as of May 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.
