Asahikawa isn't just for shopping and eating ramen. I also highly recommend visiting the museum to learn about a different side of Hokkaido's history and culture.
Although the Asahikawa City Museum isn't very large, with only one floor above ground and one below, it has more to see than expected. On the first floor, you can see scenes of traditional Ainu life and the tools they used, giving you a more concrete understanding of Ainu culture. The basement focuses on Hokkaido's natural environment and settlement history, with many animal specimens and historical artifacts on display. It isn't tiring to walk through and is also a good place to take your time.
It happened to be drizzling the day we visited, which was a little disappointing at first, but then we realized that an indoor attraction like this is perfect for a rainy day. Without having to walk too much, you can learn about Ainu culture, Hokkaido's natural environment, and its settlement history all at once. If it happens to rain while you're in Asahikawa, this is a good backup plan.
Asahikawa City Museum | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Sounkyo Choyotei
Perched on a hill in Sounkyo Onsen and surrounded by dramatic canyon scenery, this inn sits amid towering columnar-jointed cliffs, with a star-filled sky at night. On the top floor, you’ll find the panoramic large public bath “Kurodake” and the open-air “Asahiyama,” where you can take in the canyon through expansive windows or soak outdoors with the ridgeline of Mt. Asahi and the rugged, columnar rock faces right in front of you.
I was actually a little nervous before checking in because quite a few of the reviews online weren't very good, so I had already prepared myself for the worst. But once we actually stayed there, I felt it wasn't as bad as the reviews said, and overall, it was fairly acceptable to me.
We stayed in a double room with two twin beds and a large Japanese-style room, so it was quite spacious. The room had heating and air conditioning, as well as extra comforters, so it wouldn't be cold at all if you came in winter.
The unfortunate thing about the room was that the soundproofing was really just average, and we could hear some noise from outside. However, it wasn't enough to affect our sleep.
The restaurant, on the other hand, left a good impression on me! The dining area was very spacious, with tatami mats and wooden tables and chairs, and the seating was quite comfortable. There were plenty of food options and a good variety of ingredients. Most importantly, they offered several kinds of sake to sample for free, so you could enjoy a little drink with your meal. It really felt like staying at a Hokkaido inn.
When you come to Sounkyo, the most important thing is, of course, the hot springs!
Choyotei has both indoor and open-air hot springs. Soaking in the piping-hot water was incredibly relaxing. This is exactly what staying at a hot spring inn in Sounkyo is all about.
Accommodations really come down to personal preference. Online reviews can be useful, but you won't know whether a place suits you until you've stayed there yourself. -
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Shirogane Blue Pond
The Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei is famous as the top tourist attraction in the area, captivating visitors with its vivid blue. This man-made pond unexpectedly formed when water accumulated behind a dam that was constructed to prevent volcanic mudflows from Mt. Tokachi. The surreal blue of the pond, combined with the surrounding lush nature and dead larch trees, creates an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale.
Oh my gosh! The vivid blue before my eyes was so beautiful it left me speechless!! It felt like stepping right into a computer wallpaper, so dreamy it almost didn't seem real.
The clear blue water and reflections of the dead trees created mesmerizing layers of blue in the sunlight. It looked beautiful no matter how I photographed it.
No wonder it's packed with people every day—everyone comes to see the legendary “Blue Pond” with their own eyes.
Although it was absolutely overflowing with visitors that day, the moment I saw the view, I still thought—it was worth it! -
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Hill of Zerubu & Hill of Atoms
This tourist farm, located on a hill along National Route 237, offers breathtaking views of Hokkaido’s natural beauty, including the Asahidake and Tokachidake mountain ranges. Visitors can enjoy a colorful display of seasonal flower fields, with around 30 different varieties such as 3,000 lavender plants, sunflowers, and poppies, blooming from spring to autumn.
On the way to Biei, we unexpectedly came across the "Hill of Atoms," surrounded by Hokkaido's natural beauty. The hillside is covered with colorful flowers that change with the seasons, and the wide-open Hokkaido scenery makes it really photogenic.
It's also a free attraction, with free parking and restrooms, so there's no admission fee to worry about. It's definitely worth stopping by for a walk if you're passing through!
It takes about 20 minutes to stroll around the entire grounds, so you don't need to set aside much time to enjoy the fields of flowers and natural scenery. ATV rentals are also available for an additional fee if you want to explore further, but just walking around is honestly enough!
Some areas are only accessible by ATV, but for us, walking along the hillside, taking photos, and enjoying the Hokkaido breeze was already very satisfying. -
