Local Guide
 Asahikawa is the best place to enjoy Asahikawa in spring!

In the Asahikawa area, the snow melts in April and the cherry blossoms bloom in May. Because it is on the edge of winter and summer, the contrast of snow and greenery can be enjoyed in spring in Asahikawa.
In this issue, we will introduce sightseeing spots around Asahikawa City that can be enjoyed in early spring. There are spots that are only open in early spring, the home of Asahikawa's famous sweets, Properties where you can experience the Ainu culture, and places where you can enjoy spring skiing and interacting with animals. Please take a look at them when planning your trip.

A hilltop nature park with one of the largest colonies of katakuris in Hokkaido

 This nature park is managed by Otokoyama, a long-established brewery in Asahikawa City.
This nature park is managed by Otokoyama, a long-established brewery in Asahikawa City.

This nature park, covering an area of about 40 hectares, is located on the outskirts of Asahikawa City, on a hilly area 220 meters above sea level on the south side of Tosushozan (Mt. Tosushozan). It is located about 15 minutes by car from the Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum, the brewery's sightseeing Property. The park is a well-known tourist spot that is open only for less than one month around Golden Week every year. In just under a month, a wide variety of wildflowers, including katakuris, ezo-engosaku, and fuchu-juso, are in full bloom.
The colony of katakuris is said to be one of the largest in Hokkaido, and the view of the hillsides covered with purple flowers is magnificent. Many visitors plan their trips to Asahikawa to see the flowers in full bloom.

This nature park is only open for less than a month. Visit in late April.

 The park's walking paths are a figure of eight, with the east course measuring approximately 800 meters and the west course approximately 650 meters, and offer a close-up view of wildflowers such as katakuris (dogtooth violet).
The park's walking paths are a figure of eight, with the east course measuring approximately 800 meters and the west course approximately 650 meters, and offer a close-up view of wildflowers such as katakuris (dogtooth violet).

Depending on the amount of sunlight, some areas of the katakuris bloom early and others late. Usually, the early-blooming areas bloom in mid-April and are in full bloom by the end of April. The late blooming areas bloom in late April and are in full bloom in early May. Considering the timing of each area, the best time to visit is late April.
However, since the blooming conditions determine the opening period, the timing may be slightly different depending on weather conditions. Please check the official Otokoyama blog for information on blooming conditions and opening times before visiting.

Local Guide Comment
Asahikawa's Golden Week is usually the time of year when the cherry blossoms are still in bud, and it is often chilly even during the daytime. It is safer to dress for the cold with clothes that are easy to take off and put on when enjoying outdoor strolls.
Otokoyama Nature Park
  • Address Higashiyama, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction (ex.) Approx. 30 min. by car from JR Asahikawa Sta.
  •  Business hours Around mid-April to early May 9:00-17:00
    *Vary according to blooming conditions, so please check the website above.
  •  Closed Open all year round during the opening period
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0166-57-2131 (Otokoyama Nature Park/only during the opening period)
  •  Parking Free of charge

Adult social studies tour at a winery. Take home some wine and chocolates as souvenirs.

 You can take a tour of the brewery with explanations from Staff/staff members.
You can take a tour of the brewery with explanations from Staff/staff members.

The winery is located in Nakafurano Town, about 75 minutes by car from Asahikawa City. Visitors can enjoy shopping, touring the brewery, and interacting with grazing goats.
The boutique in the Property sells about 20 brands of wine and sparkling wine produced in the area, as well as chocolates perfect for accompanying wine, such as bonbon chocolates with wine wrapped in chocolates and tablet chocolates made from different cacao bean origins. Free winery tours of the brewery are also available.
At the "Grill & Farmhouse Restaurant Yagi Cafe," visitors can enjoy soft-serve ice cream made with goat's milk, hamburgers made with 100% Hokkaido beef, and more.

A sustainable winery where you can enjoy interaction with goats.

 You can get up close and personal with energetic goats.
You can get up close and personal with energetic goats.

Goats live in the company's vast vineyard where grapes are grown. The goats graze and run around freely in the field, digging up the soil, and the goat droppings become fertilizer for the soil and cultivate the vineyard in abundance. Domaine Raison is a sustainable winery that makes wine from grapes grown in these vineyards.
Visitors can enjoy the experience of feeding and milking goats and interacting with them. Goat milk from the goats milked at the Property is used to make goat milk soap, which is also available for sale.

Local Guide Comment
The goats living in the spacious grounds are all very lively. Just looking at them is a soothing experience. A tour of the brewery will give you a deep knowledge of the winery and make you feel like a wine connoisseur!
Domaine Raison
  • Address No.4, Higashi-1-sen-kita, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 7 min. by car from JR Nakafurano Stn.
  •  Business hours 10:00-17:00
    Cafe 11:00-16:00
  •  Closed Closed irregularly *Confirmation required on the top page of the website.
  •  TEL 0167-44-3035
  •  Parking Free of charge
  •  Memo Experience with goats is subject to change depending on social conditions.

Enjoy spring skiing. Open until Golden Week every year.

 With an average slope angle of about 15 degrees, even beginners can easily enjoy the slopes.
With an average slope angle of about 15 degrees, even beginners can easily enjoy the slopes.

While the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in many parts of Japan, you can still enjoy skiing at Furano Zone in Furano Ski Resort.
Although it depends on snowfall conditions, in early April, visitors can enjoy a long run of 3 to 4 km from the top of the slope to the foot of the mountain, which is usually reached by ropeway and lift, and although the runs are closed after mid-April, it is possible to ski until May 5 every year, although the runs are shorter. Both beginner and intermediate skiers can enjoy this course, so it is recommended for those who want to ski seriously, as well as for those who just want to ski one or two runs and lightly experience the snow.

No need to worry about ski equipment or meals. You can enjoy spring skiing at your ease!

 Enjoy the magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks of the Daisetsuzan mountain range and Tokachi-dake in the distance from the front of the ski slope.
Enjoy the magnificent view of the snow-capped peaks of the Daisetsuzan mountain range and Tokachi-dake in the distance from the front of the ski slope.

This is one of Hokkaido's representative ski resorts, where many FIS (Federation Internationale de Ski) and snowboarding World Cup competitions have been held. It features comfortable snow quality and magnificent views.
Various types of rental ski equipment are available, so you can visit the resort empty-handed. Lunch can be enjoyed at Restaurant Downhill, located next to the ropeway station at the top of the mountain. After skiing, you can go shopping at "Ningle Terrace" near the foot of the mountain. It is a shopping area consisting of 15 log houses in the forest, where unique stores display and sell crafts and other items.

Local Guide Comment
For those of you who are sad to see the last of winter go, how about a last spring ski trip of the season? It is only a 90-minute drive from Asahikawa or Tomamu, so you can easily make a day trip to the area.
Furano Ski Resort
  • Address Furano-shi, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 minutes by car from JR Furano Station
  •   Direction Take a bus from JR Furano Station and get off at Furano Prince Hotel or New Furano Prince Hotel.
  •  Hours of Operation Daytime: November 29, 2025 (Sat) - May 6, 2026 (Mon) 8:30 - 16:00 or sunset
    Night skiing: Mid-December, 2025 - March 21, 2026 (Sat) scheduled 16:00 - 19:30 (Sun) *Close at 18:00 on weekdays
  •  Regular holiday None during the operating period *Period and hours of operation may be subject to change due to weather and snow accumulation
  •  Admission Fee Lift tickets (regular season)
    One-day pass: Adults ¥8,000, Seniors ¥7,500 (free for elementary school students and younger)
    Night skiing tickets: Adults from 2,900 yen, seniors from 2,700 yen
    *Depends on the day of the week, time of year, etc., so please check the website.
  •  TEL 0167-22-1111
  •  Parking Free of charge

Store for souvenirs and sweets at the concept store of Asahikawa's famous confectionery "Kihana

 The store is filled with the warmth of wood as if it were in Asahikawa, a town of woodworking crafts. Pine wood from Hokkaido is used extensively.
The store is filled with the warmth of wood as if it were in Asahikawa, a town of woodworking crafts. Pine wood from Hokkaido is used extensively.

Kikka" is a famous confectionary of Tsuboya Sohonten, a long-established confectionary store in Asahikawa City. Kihana" is a famous confectionary made by Tsuboya Sohonten, a long-established confectionary in Asahikawa City, and is a classic Asahikawa souvenir.
At Tsuboya Kihana no Mori, visitors can enjoy looking for souvenirs such as baked sweets, cakes, and bonbon chocolates made from local ingredients, as well as eating at the café and touring the confectionery factory. It is also a concept store full of local charm, selling locally brewed sake and crafts made by local woodworkers. The "Kihana Festival" is held in early April each year, where limited-edition products are sold and a flower popularity contest is held.

Taste the factory-fresh sweets and popular Morino Silk soft serve.

 Dessert plate (670 yen). The red cake is
Dessert plate (670 yen). The red cake is "Kool" with pistachio jelly and white chocolate mousse.

At "CAFE Bunran" inside the Property, visitors can enjoy a variety of sweets and light meals such as pasta and pizza. We recommend the "Dessert Plate," which includes a factory-fresh cake. It includes one of the cakes on the showcase, a baumkuchen, "Morino Silk Soft" and a drink.
Morino Silk Soft" is soft-serve ice cream made from silk powder and milk produced in Asahikawa. It is available in two types, vanilla and aronia sauce, and can be purchased separately. It is popular for its smooth and refreshing sweetness.

Local Guide Comment
You can spend your time in the café, sitting on Asahikawa furniture chairs and looking out the window at the seasonal garden scenery. Usually in April, there is still snow on the ground, but from mid-May, you can enjoy the scenery of fresh greenery and flowers in the garden. A stroll through the garden after dinner is also recommended.
Tsuboya Kihana no Mori
  • Address 19 Minami 6 jo dori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. drive from JR Asahikawa Station
  •  Business hours 9:30-18:00
    CAFE Bunroo 10:00-17:00(L.O. 16:30), Lunch time 11:00-14:00
  •  Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  •  TEL 0166-39-1600
  •  Memo Kihana and other confections can be purchased and eaten at the eat-in space.

Experience ethnic culture at the private Ainu Memorial Museum, which has a history of over 100 years.

 Kimonos decorated with Ainu patterns and other unique world views and culture.
Kimonos decorated with Ainu patterns and other unique world views and culture.

The Kawamura family, known as an old Ainu family in the Kamikawa region around Asahikawa City, created this private memorial museum to pass on the culture of the Ainu people. Visitors can view approximately 500 exhibits, including Ainu daily necessities and sculptures, as well as numerous photographs, and experience traditional Ainu crafts and musical instruments.
The museum was established in 1916, and is mainly filled with old folk artifacts collected by the second director, Kawamura Kaneto. There are also about 150 carved wooden bears, some of which are also for sale. Visitors can experience the spiritual culture and history of the Ainu, who had a close connection with nature.

 Sample of Embroidery Experience (above) and Paper Cutting Experience (below). Creating an Ainu design by tracing a rough sketch of the design.
Sample of Embroidery Experience (above) and Paper Cutting Experience (below). Creating an Ainu design by tracing a rough sketch of the design.

In addition to viewing the exhibits and photographs, we also recommend the Experience program, which allows visitors to experience more of the Ainu culture. Experiences such as paper cutting and embroidery of Ainu patterns are popular with both adults and children because they are easy and enjoyable.
If you are looking for a more lively experience, try playing the mukul, a traditional Ainu mouth harp instrument, or singing and dancing traditional Ainu dances while wearing traditional Ainu costumes. Even if you have absolutely no experience or knowledge of Ainu culture, once you get the hang of it, it is surprisingly easy to do and you can experience Ainu culture while having fun. Reservations are required for all programs, so call ahead if you want to experience them.

Local Guide Comment
The ethnic costumes worn during the traditional dance experience are available in several patterns and sizes for both men and women, and there are also costumes for children. It is recommended to take a commemorative photo as well.
Kawamura Kakoto Ainu Memorial Museum
  • Address 11 Kitamon-cho, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 minutes drive from JR Asahikawa Station
  •   Direction Take Asahikawa Electric Bus No. 24 bound for Kitamon-cho 21-chome, get off at Ainu Kinenkan-mae (Ainu Memorial Museum) and walk in front of the bus stop.
  •  Business hours 9:00-17:00 *Hours are subject to change.
  •  Closed May-November: Open daily
    December - April: Tuesdays
  •  Admission fee Adults 800 yen, college students 600 yen, junior and senior high school students 500 yen, elementary school students 300 yen, children under elementary school age free
    Kirigami Experience: 2,000 yen, Traditional Dance Experience: 2,000 yen, Mukul Performance Experience: 3,000 yen, Embroidery Experience: 4,000 yen
    Reservations are required for all Experiences.
  •  TEL 0166-51-2461
  •  Parking Free of charge

Enjoy a relaxing time at Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts, located in the heart of Asahikawa. Within 500 steps of the hotel, which is dotted with alleys full of old-fashioned charm, the "Staff/staff member" (Local guide) OMO Rangers, who are well versed in the charms of the city, will provide you with a special Experience.

A hotel where you don't stop at just sleeping, but rather, where your trip will be more exciting

 Superior Rooms
Superior Rooms" have storage space under the bed and can be used spaciously by two or three persons.

Asahikawa, a base city with good Direction to Furano and Biei, is a town that fascinates you with its individuality every time you visit, from the Asahiyama Zoo with its many attractions to the seasonal delicacies you will encounter in the local gourmet ladder. Located in the center of Asahikawa, OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts is also the departure point for airport buses, providing convenient Direction. Public spaces that are also part of the city and Guest rooms that emphasize ease of use for tourists, the Property offers a new way to enjoy Asahikawa, not only as a place to stay overnight, but also as a place to keep the excitement of your trip alive for a long time.

Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.