Kamikawa is a big municipality in the course of Hokkaido, with town of Asahikawa at its centre.
Whereas it’s simply ignored for extra distant areas on Hokkaido, Kamikawa has loads to supply to the out of doors fanatic who’d wish to discover mountains, rivers and get to know the native Ainu tradition.
It’s additionally house to the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, the most important Nationwide Park in Japan, which is house to many bears and it’s surrounding Hotsprings are inviting to hikers and skiers alike.
Right here is an outline:
Sapporo
Our journey to Kamikawa begins in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido which is well 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 pleasurable journey, and from Asahikawa we proceed through Bus to the great Fratello Di Mikuni Restaurant, which sits atop a hill and has great views in direction of Daisetsuzan. This Restaurant not solely delights with the magnificent views you’ve in direction of the mountains, but in addition the scrumptious meals the Cooks conjure up in your plate! We had probably 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 within the Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park, and the gathering of his pictures will make you need to go straight away and go to this Nationwide Park in all of the seasons.
Sounkyo Customer Centre
After this inspiring go to, by which Ichinei-San has instructed us about his love for the mountains, we made a go to to the Sounkyo Customer Centre down the highway, the place we discovered extra in regards to the Nationwide Park which we’ll go to the following day.
Lodge Taisetsu – Kaiseki dinner
Lodge Taisetsu is our house for the night time, on the doorstep of the Nationwide Park and never far-off from the Mt. Kurodake Ropeway.
The native deer welcome us and after transferring our belongings into our conventional and spacious rooms we head to the Onsen, which is positioned on the prime ground and overlooks the mountains. Sitting within the steaming scorching spring water whereas it’s a bit chilly outdoors and overlooking the character is an incredible expertise, and so enjoyable – you need to strive it!
No go to to a Onsen Lodge just like the Taisetsu is full with out an incredible Kaiseki dinner – a ten course meal which incorporates scrumptious Sashimi, a second dish with a seasonal theme, Takiawase, Shiizakana, seasonal pickled greens and naturally a scrumptious dessert!
After this tasty expertise we loved an Ainu Tradition efficiency together with the gorgeous sounding mouth-harp. A few of my pals went now to the Onsen, which regularly is open until midnight – an ideal option to finish a phenomenal 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 scale 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 excellence of being the primary location in Japan to embrace the colourful hues of autumn leafs and the pristine fantastic thing about snowfall every year.
The easiest way to discover this haven is on foot, which is what we did the following morning. Earlier than you’re allowed into the Nationwide Park you need to sit by means of a 5 minute training session in regards to the bears within the Nationwide Park and find out how to behave for those who ought to encounter one. It’s informative and made in a enjoyable approach, and after this we hit the path.
The fantastic thing about Daisetsuzan Nationwide Park needs to be skilled – from climbing previous steaming Fumaroles to tiny streams by which you see Oshorokoma trout swim, it’s one thing which you need to see for your self.
Add in the fantastic thing about the onsetting autumn colours, the beautiful lakes which you cross 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 underside of the article for that, to see the perfect offers for that, in addition to Lodges and restaurant suggestions!
©Hendrik-Morkel
Asahikawa Design Middle
After our hike we had a unbelievable lunch at an area restaurant, earlier than using with the Bus again to Asahikawa and a go to to the Asahikawa Design Middle.
Asahikawa is a UN Design Capital, similar to Helsinki and a handful of different cities throughout the globe, and within the Asahikawa Design Middle you’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the wooden and furnishings business of the island.
Going by means of the fascinating exhibition we had been led to the wood-working space of the Design Centre, the place we may select from quite a lot of gadgets which we may now craft ourselves! This was numerous enjoyable and it was troublesome to decide on what to make – ultimately I picked a phenomenal piece of wooden which might grow to be a small tray for my accomplice.
In Asahikawa we stayed within the Artwork Lodge. There’s many unbelievable Lodges on this city of virtually 340.000 inhabitants, although the breakfast room on the prime ground of the Artwork Lodge, with beautiful views over town and in direction of the mountains, makes it a strong selection.
As for Eating places, in a metropolis of this dimension you could find something that fits your tastes – from conventional Japanese delicacies over Ramen to extra Western delicacies. This night in Asahikawa we went to eat on the Oysteria Canyon Base on the primary road, which affords very tasty Italian meals! There have been additionally unbelievable Vegan choices, and the deserts had been so scrumptious that we had seconds. ????
Biking to Higashikawa
The following morning the solar was excessive up within the sky and beckoned us to hitch it on a biking journey. We rode out to the Daisetsuzan Gensui Park, which is a phenomenal Park not too far-off from the Asahidake Ropeway.
It’s an exquisite place with a beautiful 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 speculated 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 site visitors was little and the biking was simple and enjoyable, with nice views.
On the dam we loved the views again in direction of the mountains, particularly Asahidake which was the closest and regarded majestic within the heat autumn day.
The following half was arguably probably the most pleasurable: On a cycle highway with the Chubetsu river on our left and golden rice paddies on our proper. It was completely unbelievable and one thing to undoubtedly do whenever you go to!
To prime issues off we even visited an area 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 within the final century when new applied sciences turned out there to develop rice this far north in such brief summers.
We continued into this lovely city which is properly know throughout the island because the “City of Images” – there are lots of gifted photographers dwelling right here, and within the city middle you’ll be able to see a whole lot of outdated, lovely movie cameras.
Exterior we loved additionally an enchanting exhibition a few film, there’s a Montbell Retailer on the primary highway if you wish to purchase some high-quality out of doors equipment, and the Tofu Comfortable Serve store subsequent to it’s extremely really useful – the ice cream is scrumptious!
Meals competition Asahikawa
After our trip we took the bus again to Asahikawa, the place we went and explored the Meals Competition which was occurring.
It’s an over one kilometer lengthy assortment of a whole lot of meals stalls on the primary road, the place you’ll be able to eat native and worldwide treats. It’s an absolute feast – and it’s additionally reasonably priced!
If you’re in September in Asahikawa be sure that to plan your go to round this Competition, because it permits you to style a lot scrumptious meals that you’ve got a great motive to go on an extended hike or bicycle trip the following day!
On the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum
If you go to Hokkaido you’ll hear hopefully at one level or one other in regards to the indigenous folks of the island – the Ainu.
Like many indigenous folks they’ve suffered by the hands of others, from being forbidden to talk their language and apply their traditions. Fortunately these days that is now not the case, and through our go to to the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum we discovered loads in regards to the Ainu and their tradition, which is said to nature & the land.
My favorite reminiscence is studying to play the standard mouth harp, which has a phenomenal sound and is definitely fairly arduous to play, even when it appears to be like simple.
Having the ability to ask the mother and her son about their tradition and be taught from then was an inspiring expertise, and for those who’re eager about 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 permits you to use Google Maps, Translate and every part else for as little as 3$/ GB. I like to recommend their 5 GB Package deal for those who keep lower than two weeks, after which merely top-up your account as wanted. Use the Code HENDRI0415 to get 3$!
Flying to Japan is super-easy and you too can fly on to Asahikawa, which has one of many most-reliable Airports in Japan. You could find the perfect connections from your house airport through Journey.com.
Professional-Tip: Add in a few days in Tokyo on the way in which house – see our Tokyo Suggestions right here!
You should use Reserving.com to seek out the right Lodge on your keep in Asahikawa and e-book it straight away. I can extremely advocate the Lodge WBF Grande Asahikawa which has spacious rooms, a unbelievable Onsen and a really tasty breakfast buffet.
The AMANEK Asahikawa is the most recent Lodge in Asahikawa and is true off the Predominant Road and a 2 Minutes stroll to the railway station.
The Artwork Lodge Asahikawa is the place we stayed on this journey and it has snug rooms and the breakfast buffet on the highest ground could be very good certainly.
There are lots of extra Lodges on the town, so if none of those suit your wants flick thru Reserving.com to seek out the best Lodge for you!
There are such a lot of super-tasty Eating places in Asahikawa that I solely listing my three favorites:
Ramen Santōka is the Finest Ramen Store on the town. I completely LOVE their Ramen – they’re so tasty that my mouth is watering proper now, simply eager about them!
If you wish to splurge on Dinner and need a conventional Japanese expertise then you need to go to HATAGO. Have a Japanese good friend assist you make a reservation because it’s very talked-about, after which be sure that to strive the Sashimi which had been godly.
Lastly, Change Taste is a Café which affords probably the most tastiest treats, from Parfaits to cheese cake and extra. This place is totally beautiful and preferrred for {couples} who need a romantic Café!
