| Daisetsuzan National Park ((ja)大雪山 国立 公園 daisetsuzan-kokuritsukōen) | |
 | |
| View from the top of Mount Asahid | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Hokkaido |
| Location | |
 43 ° 30 ′ 17 ″ N 142 ° 49 ′ 40 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
the Daisetsuzan National Park (which we also pronounce Taisetsuzan) is located in the central mountainous region of the island of Hokkaido, northeast of Japan
Understand
With its 2 267,64 km², Daisetsuzan is the largest national park in Japan. Her name means "Large snow-capped mountain (s)", an appropriate description of these peaks (15 of them exceeding the 2 000 m) which offer some of the toughest hikes in Japan. The Ainu name of Daisetsuzan, kamui-mintara, means "garden of the gods".
Flora and fauna
There are few birds, but during your hike you will surely see foxes, and maybe even bears.
Weather
The average annual temperature observed at the top of Mount Kurodake (1 984 m) from October 1989 to September 1990 was −2.3 ° C. The lowest temperature was −21.8 ° C in January, and one of the highest was 18.7 ° C July The period from October to June is a harsh season, with intense cold and snowfall. The average monthly temperature was below zero between October 1989 and April 1990, and the study area in 1990 was completely under snow until early May. Winter snow usually begins to clear in May, with a few patches of snow remaining throughout the year.
To go
There are no rail lines in the park. The nearest stations are Asahikawa (West), Furano (south) and Rubeshibe (to the East).
- Bus – The best way to get to the park is to take the bus to the Asahidake Cable Car in front of Asahikawa Station (1 300 JPY) or for Sounkyō onsen. There is also a bus leaving from Kami-Furano station for the entrance to the Tokachi-dake and Furano-dake trails.
If you are planning to stay at one of the onsens, inquire before you travel as some of them offer discounts for the bus, or may even provide a shuttle bus from Asahikawa station to the onsen.
Circulate
There is no entrance fee to the park. Free parking is available. Some are chargeable, but they are visible and can be easily avoided.
To see
- 1 Sounkyō onsen (層雲 峡 温泉) – Famous spa on the north side of the park near Kuro-Dake. More details on the page "Sounkyō onsen ».
- 2 Mount Asahi (旭 岳, asahi-date) – The highest mountain in Hokkaidō (2 290 m) and one of its main attractions. The best way to get there is to take a Chūō bus outside of JR train station.Asahikawa for Minamikawa (one every hour). From there take a coach to the park, 2 per day off-season from November to May and 3 per day in season from May to October. The coach will take you to the start of a cable car ("ropeway", 2 000 JPY round trip). At the top of it is a plateau. A short scenic walk leads to fumaroles, and a longer walk goes to the top of Asahidake. The walk continues until Sounkyō onsen through picturesque mountain peaks.
- 3 Mount Tokachi (十勝 岳, tokachi-dake)
- 4 Mount furano (富良野 岳, furano-dake)
Do
Winter
Furano, on the south side of the park, is a popular ski resort. Asahidake and Sōunkyō-onsen also have ski slopes. Asahidake is especially popular for snowboarding.
If you want to try something different, join a guided walk down the Asahidake in snow shoes from the cable car station. You will have time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and walk in the deep powder. Ask the Visitors Center at Asahikawa.
Summer
Daisetsuzan has some very cool hikes. The most popular are those of Sounkyō onsen and Asahidake.
To buy
Eat
There are no shops on the hiking trails, so bring your food with you. You will have to keep your trash until you return to a city.
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
Sounkyō onsen has a wide choice of accommodation and is a good base for short hikes in the park. There are also other possibilities inside the park.
- 1 Hakuginsō (白銀 荘) Tokachidake, Kamifurano, Hokkaido 071-05 (by public transport, take the train to Kamifurano station, then a bus (9 h 22, 13 h 19, 16 h 29, 30 min), 500 JPY; ask the driver to tell you when to get off),
81 167 45-4126, fax : 81 0167 45-6634 
2 600 JPY-2 750 JPY. – This hostel has dorm type rooms with bunk beds and 2 private Japanese style rooms for 4. There is also a huge tatami room for large groups. You can camp in summer. There is an onsen and a rotemburo (outdoor bath) for men, women and mixed (swimsuit required) and saunas. It is located near one of the trailheads for hiking Mount Tokachidake in summer, or for a ski ascent in the backcountry in winter. They also rent snow shoes. A shared kitchen is available, with pots, microwave, rice cookers and gas hobs (50 JPY for 20 min gas). There is a small shop with chocolate, drinks and microwave rice. Little English is spoken there.
Security
- Hokkaidō Brown Bears (Ezo-higuma) – These bears roam the park, although in fewer numbers than in Shiretoko. You're very unlikely to be attacked, but it's wise to take the usual precautions: don't keep any food in or near your tent, and wear a bell to alert bears to your presence.
- Echinococcus – It is a dangerous, and sometimes fatal, parasite found in the streams and lakes of Hokkaidō. The parasite only shows its symptoms after many years, and at that point there is not much that can be done. Boil your water.
- Mountain safety – These mountains can get very crowded in the summer and there are some good trails and several signs (in Japanese), but plan your hike properly anyway. The terrain is steep in places and the substrate varies as well. Don't forget to bring water, a snack and a good card. There are mountain huts, but these can get full in early summer so plan ahead if you want to use them. In winter, the mountains can be particularly dangerous due to the amount of snow it falls (although that's also why it's so beautiful) so watch out for avalanches etc ... A ridge road is currently closed because a group of hikers lost their lives there in winter.
