Top Things to Do in Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Last updated: October 10, 2025
Asahikawa is located in northern Hokkaido and is the island’s second-largest city after Sapporo, with a population of about 320,000.
Its most famous attraction is Asahiyama Zoo, known for the popular Penguin Walk event (late December to mid-March).
Asahikawa is also an important transportation hub — its airport rarely closes in winter due to snow, and in summer, it’s a convenient base for day trips to Biei and Furano.
by Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra
Getting to Asahikawa
From Asahikawa Airport to the City Center
While Sapporo’s airport can face winter delays, Asahikawa’s is a snow warrior—rarely canceling flights thanks to better weather, wider runways, fewer flights, and fast snow removal.
A taxi from the airport to JR Asahikawa Station costs about 5,300 yen and takes around 25 minutes (15 km).
The airport bus is a cheaper option — 750 yen, around 40 minutes. You can check the bus timetable here.
From Sapporo to Asahikawa
- JR Limited Express: Takes about 1 hr 25 min, with an unreserved seat costing 4,910 yen. You can buy the round-trip S Ticket from a ticket machine at Sapporo Station for 6,040 yen, valid for 6 days.
- Highway Bus: Around 2 hr 20 min, 2,500 yen, tickets sold on-site (timetable here).
Recommended: Asahiyama Zoo combo ticket
it includes:
① Round-trip JR ticket between Sapporo and Asahikawa (unreserved Limited Express seat, worth 6,040 yen)
② Round-trip bus between JR Asahikawa Station and Asahiyama Zoo (worth 1,000 yen)
③ Zoo admission (worth 1,000 yen)
Price: 7,069 yen (save 971 yen)
Valid for: 4 days
Where to buy: JR ticket counter at Sapporo Station
More details: see official website link.
Where to Stay in Asahikawa
Asahikawa is compact — staying near JR Asahikawa Station makes it easy to visit the zoo or take day trips to Biei.
JR Inn Asahikawa
8.8 rating, 4,000+ reviews
Perfect location, directly connected to JR Asahikawa Station. The hotel has a public bath, and the AEON Mall downstairs makes shopping and dining easy.
Y’s Hotel Asahikawa Ekimae 8.5 rating, 600+ reviews
Newer facilities, also with a public bath. Only a 1-minute walk from JR Asahikawa Station.
Itinerary in Asahikawa
Winter (late December – mid-March)
Aim for the 8:00 a.m. Limited Express from Sapporo (trains run hourly)—the 9:00 a.m. one might cut it close for the morning Penguin Walk
Arrive at JR Asahikawa Station at 9:25 a.m.
Take the 9:35 a.m. bus to Asahiyama Zoo (arrives 10:10 a.m.)
Explore the zoo and watch the Penguin Walk at 11:00 a.m.
Lunch and free time in the zoo
Return to Sapporo in the afternoon
Optional:
For extra fun, squeeze in the Asahikawa Winter Festival (Feb 6–11) afterward, or overnight here to hit Kamui Ski Links the next day.
Summer
Day 1: Asahiyama Zoo and Ueno Farm
Day 2: Biei & Furano day trip
Attractions in Asahikawa
Asahiyama Zoo
Opened in 1967, it is Japan’s northernmost zoo and home to over 120 animal species. While its facilities are similar to other zoos, the main reason visitors come here is the Penguin Walk held daily from late December to mid-March.
Penguin Walk:
Times: usually 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (only 11:00 a.m. after mid-March)
Duration: about 30 minutes, walking route around 500 meters
Tip: Penguins walk a round trip — wait until the first crowd leaves to get a better view when they return.
Check the latest schedule: here
Hours: 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m. (summer), 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (winter).
Admission: Adults 1,000 yen; free for junior high school students and younger
Recommended Visit Time: 2 hours
Official Site: asahikawa.hokkaido.jp
Getting There:
① 25 min / 10 km from JR Asahikawa Station (taxi about 4,000 yen)
② Or take bus No. 41 or 47 from the north exit of JR Asahikawa Station to “Asahiyama Dōbutsuen” (40 min, 500 yen, timetable [here])
Notes: If you can’t make it to Asahikawa, Otaru Aquarium also has a shorter Penguin Walk (250 m).
Watch: ASAHIKAWA Winter Vlog
Ueno Farm (The Gnomes’ Garden)
A private garden covering about 6,600 m². Originally a rice farm, the Ueno family transformed it into a garden in the 1990s. Yukiyoshi Ueno, a garden designer who studied in the UK, created an English-style garden adapted to Hokkaido’s climate.
Hours: mid-April – mid-October, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults 1,000 yen / Students 500 yen / Children free
Recommended Visit Time: 1 hour
Details: 9 themed zones, with a restaurant inside the garden (map here)
Official Site: uenofarm.net
Getting There:
① 6 km from Asahiyama Zoo (taxi ~2,000 yen / 8 min)
② 14 km from JR Asahikawa Station (taxi ~5,000 yen / 30 min)
③ Or take bus No. 69 from “1-jō 8-chōme” near JR Asahikawa Station to “Ueno Farm-mae” (43 min, 610 yen, cash only, 3 trips per day — check timetable here)
Watch: Ueno Farm（Summer in Northern Hokkaido: Asahikawa）
The photo on the bottom right shows Ueno Sayuki, who you may sometimes see working in the garden.
Asahikawa Winter Festival
Held every February with snow sculptures, slides, light shows, food stalls, and live performances.
Hours: Feb 6–11, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Getting There: Main venue at Tokiwa Park, 25-min walk or ~1,000 yen by taxi from JR Asahikawa Station.
Some days offer free shuttle buses — check local signs.
Official Site: asahikawa-winterfes.jp
Watch: Walk through Asahikawa Winter Festival
Kamui Ski Links
A popular local ski resort near Asahikawa. Opened in 1985, it has 26 trails (32% beginner / 36% intermediate / 32% advanced), with a maximum vertical drop of 600 m and the longest run at 4 km. It’s smaller than Niseko but quieter and more affordable, great for experiencing local ski culture.
Hours: mid-December – late March, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Lift pass: around 5,300 yen
Rental: around 6,000 yen
Getting There: Bus No. 455 from JR Asahikawa Station (Stop 22), 40 min, 800 yen, timetable here
Official Site: kamui-skilinks.com
Watch: Kamui ski links - Hokkaido’s best kept secret that you never heard of
Biei & Furano
In summer, many travelers stay in Asahikawa and take day trips to Biei and Furano. Biei is known for its rolling hills and cycling routes through farmland, while Furano features Japan’s largest lavender fields (best viewed in July).
Winter trips are doable but trickier, with longer travel times and fewer open attractions, so save them for snow lovers.
by Zion C
Thank you for reading. Hope you have a wonderful journey! ヽ(´▽`)/