Mount Asahidake hike – climb Hokkaido’s highest volcano

Hiking in Japan — Mount Asahidake hike, Daisetsuzan National Park, Hokkaido

Stinky fumaroles spewing out clouds of gas, a massive caldera with a sulfur river, hot springs… hiking Hokkaido’s highest mountain, Asahidake (or Mount Asahi), is rugged and wild with the extra fun of volcanic activity. And even better, after a day of hiking you can ease your aching muscles with a lovely hot soak in a Japanese onsen.

Distance: ∼6 km (return hike) / 13 km (loop hike)
Difficulty: Moderate
Highest point: 2,290 m (Asahidake)
Height gain: +670 m/-670 m (both trails)
We did it: July 2014

GO STRAIGHT TO:
► Photos ► When to go ► How to get there ► Hiking trail description -- Return hike -- Loop hike ► Accommodation & food ► What to bring ► Dangers & annoyances ► Trail map - return hike ► Trail map - loop hike

Asahidake mountain is an active volcano in Daisetsuzan National Park — Japan’s largest national park, located in the center of the northern-most island of Hokkaido. Also spelled Taisetsuzan, Daisetsuzan means “big snowy mountains”. You can guess what it’s like in winter; in summer the views switch from fields of alpine flowers to dramatic volcanic landscapes to almost tropical greenery. Then in autumn it’s the first part of Japan to turn red.

The park is crisscrossed with trails providing many hiking options of different levels and lengths. Most people climb Asahidake as a day hike from the hot spring resort of Asahidake Onsen, either as a return hike straight up and down or a loop hike that takes in natural hot springs and a view of the 2-km-wide Ohachidaira caldera. I’ve described both options here.

Another option is to hike across the park from Asahidake Onsen to another hot spring resort, Sounkyo Onsen. This is actually what we did.

Photos from our Asahidake hike

(more in the hiking trail description)

When to go to Daisetsuzan National Park

The main hiking season is from end June to September. July is best for wildflowers, and September for autumn colors. Asahidake Onsen is also a skiing area in winter. Note that the region is very busy in August, as well as in September when the fall colors start.

How to get to Asahidake Onsen

The small hot spring resort of Asahidake Onsen is to the northwest of Daisetsuzan National Park, directly beneath Asahidake Mountain. The most convenient way to get to is by car; alternatively there are buses from both the train station and airport at the nearest big town, Asahikawa.

Both the return and loop hikes described here start at the top of the Asahidake Ropeway (which is actually a cable car).

►Get directions on Google maps

Hiking trail description

The trail is good and well-marked — though in Japanese. If you are doing the longer loop then you should take a map in both Japanese and English. Check at the Asahidake Visitor Center for the latest trail and weather information.

It may be hot and muggy in the valleys, but you climb up to alpine terrain and so need to be prepared for mountain weather (see what to bring below). From memory there’s a vending machine at the top of the Asahidake Ropeway, but otherwise no drinking water nor anywhere to buy food along the trail. There’s a shelter at Sugatami Pond, not far from the top ropeway station.

Asahidake return hike

The trail climbs gently from the top Asahidake Ropeway station to Sugatami Pond — which is just in front of the lowest fumaroles in the huge rent up the side of Asahidake. These vents are incredibly noisy, spewing out massive clouds of sulfur and steam.

Take the trail to the right of the pond to go directly up Asahidake. The trail runs beside the fumaroles up one side of the massive rent in the mountain. It’s steep, exposed, and could be windy and cold. Walk back the same way to the Asahidake Ropeway top station.

► Hiking trail map

You could alternatively walk up from, or down to, the Asahidake Ropeway bottom station. This adds 3.7 km each way and a height gain/loss of 500 m. However if you want a longer walk, I recommend the loop hike below for a wider variety of views.

Asahidake loop hike

Walk to Sugatami Pond as for the return hike, but take the trail to the left of the pond. This crosses in front of Mount Asahi, passing more fumaroles and another lake. You may see chipmunks here. After around 3.7 km take the trail to the right. This runs up a mostly flat and marshy valley towards a line of hills. These hills are the rim of the Ohachidaira caldera — at the base there’s a natural hot spring where you can bathe your feet.

It’s a steepish climb up to the Ohachidaira caldera rim — where you’re rewarded with a wonderful view of the caldera and Mount Asahi (if it’s clear; the mountain was mostly covered in cloud and steam when we were there).

Turn right at the rim. The trail climbs to a turnoff near the top of Araidake. Turn right for Asahidake. You’ll descend a little, then climb very steeply to the Asahidake summit. There’s a strong smell of sulfur in places, and even in summer there may be snow on the trail. We were in mist the whole time, so no views for us. From the summit the trail descends very steeply back down to the fumaroles and Sugatami Pond. From here you can either walk down to Asahidake Onsen or take the cable car.

► Hiking trail map

Where to stay & eat

Asahidake Onsen has a few hotels, which also provide dinner and breakfast.  I recommend choosing a hotel with an onsen so you can soothe your muscles after the hike.

You can also camp at the Uraasahi camp site on the back side of Asahidake. More info here.

What to bring

You shouldn’t need any special equipment to do the hike during the main season from end June to September. Be aware that this is an alpine area, so even in summer you must be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Even though the mountain is not that high, Hokkaido is quite far north, which means the conditions are the same as high alpine areas in other parts of the world.

Essential:

• • Good hiking shoes
  • Water- and windproof clothing
  • Warm clothing, according to the season and forecast
  • Water
  • Food
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Emergency survival blanket
  • Whistle
  • First aid kit

Recommended:

• Hiking poles

Dangers & annoyances

• • Bears: Daisetzusan National Park is home to brown bears, and you’re obliged to wear a bear bell (although in Canada we were told these attract bears!). We only saw one bear, very far away — but you need to be bear aware. In a nutshell, walk as a group, make noise to alert any bears to your presence, carry bear spray — and know how to use it. I’m not a bear expert though, so be sure to get real advice.
  • Poisonous gases: The Ohachidaira caldera releases poisonous gases — do not descend into the area! The fumaroles on Asahidake are also dangerous, and other parts of the mountain release sulfurous gases.
  • Sunburn: Apply plenty of sunscreen every two hours — and even better, cover up as much skin as possible.
  • Heat stroke/dehydration: If the weather is clear then you’ll be in the sun for most of the hike. Wear a hat and make sure you bring enough water for the weather conditions.
  • Hypothermia/exposure: The weather could also quickly turn cold — and windy. We were there in July: it was hot and humid in Asahidake Onsen, but cold and windy on Asahidake with very low visibility.

• Snow: There may be snow on the trail even in summer — and the first winter snows come very early. There’s a lot of snow over winter, with a strong avalanche risk even in spring.
• Stomach bugs & parasites: It’s not recommended to drink river, stream or lake water due to Echinococcus and other nasty microorganisms.

Hiking trail map – Asahidake return hike

(gpx download under the map)

Download file: Asahidake return hike.gpx

Hiking trail map – Asahidake loop hike

(gpx download under the map)

Download file: Asahidake loop hike.gpx