1
Otokoyama Nature Park

A nature park on a hill with one of the largest colonies of dogtooth violets in Hokkaido

A natural park covering approximately 40 hectares, spread across a hilly area at an altitude of 220m on the south side of Mt. Tosho in the suburbs of Asahikawa City. It is located about a 15-minute drive from the Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum, a brewery tourist facility. It is a hidden gem of a sightseeing spot that is only open for a little less than a month around Golden Week each year. During this short period of less than a month, various wildflowers such as dogtooth violets (katakuri), corydalis (ezo-engosaku), and adonis (fukujuso) bloom in abundance.
In particular, the colony of dogtooth violets is said to be one of the largest in Hokkaido, and the scenery of the entire hillside dyed in purple flowers is magnificent. It is so popular that some people even plan their Asahikawa trip specifically to coincide with the peak blooming period, and many visitors come every year.

A nature park that is only open for less than a month. If you visit, go in late April

Due to differences in the amount of sunlight in each location, some areas of the dogtooth violet colony bloom earlier and some later. In a typical year, the early-blooming areas flower in mid-April and reach full bloom in late April. The late-blooming areas flower in late April and reach full bloom in early May. Considering these periods, late April is the best time to visit.
However, since the opening period is determined by the flowering status, the timing may shift slightly depending on weather conditions. The flowering status and opening period are posted on the official Otokoyama blog, so please check it before you visit.

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Supporter

In Asahikawa, cherry blossoms are usually still in bud during Golden Week, and it is often chilly even during the day. It is safer to wear clothing that is easy to put on and take off to protect yourself from the cold when enjoying outdoor walks.

Otokoyama Nature Park

• Higashiyama, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
• Example: Approx. 30 minutes by car from JR Asahikawa Station
• Mid-April to early May, 9:00–17:00
  *Please check the website above as this varies depending on the blooming status.
• Open every day during the season
• Free
• 0166-57-2131 (Otokoyama Nature Park / Only during the opening season)
• Free

2
Domaine Raison

An adult field trip to a winery. Get wine and chocolate as souvenirs

Located in Nakafurano, this winery is about a 75-minute drive from Asahikawa. You can enjoy shopping, tours of the winery, and interacting with the goats grazing on the grounds.
The boutique on-site sells about 20 varieties of locally produced wine and sparkling wine, as well as chocolates perfect for pairing with wine, such as bonbon chocolates filled with wine and single-origin cacao bean tablets. Free winery tours are also available.
In addition, at the Grill & Farm Restaurant Yagi Cafe, you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream made with goat milk and hamburger steaks made with 100% Hokkaido beef.

A sustainable winery where you can enjoy interacting with goats

Goats roam the vast estate vineyards where the grapes are grown. As the goats graze and run freely through the fields, they till the soil, and their manure acts as fertilizer, enriching the land. Domaine Raison is a sustainable winery that makes wine using grapes grown in these fields.
You can also enjoy interacting with the goats by feeding them or giving them milk. We also sell soap made with goat milk, which is milked on-site.

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Supporter

The goats living on the spacious grounds all look lively. Just watching them is soothing. The brewery tour provides deep knowledge, making you feel like a wine connoisseur.

Domaine Raison

• Higashi 1-sen Kita 4-go, Nakafurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido MAP
• Approx. 7 minutes by car from JR Nakafurano Station
• 10:00–17:00
  Cafe 11:00–16:00
• Irregular holidays *Please check the website homepage
• 0167-44-3035
• Free
• Goat interaction experiences may change depending on social conditions
  
  

3
Furano Ski Resort

Enjoy spring skiing to the fullest. Usually open until Golden Week

Just as news of cherry blossoms arrives from across Japan and the season of fresh green leaves begins, you can still enjoy skiing in the Furano Zone of the Furano Ski Resort.
Depending on snow conditions, you can typically enjoy a long run of 3 to 4 km from the summit of the slopes, reached by taking the ropeway and lifts, down to the base in early April. Although the number of closed sections increases from mid-April onwards, shortening the distance, it is usually possible to ski until around May 5th. Since the courses can be enjoyed by both beginners and intermediate skiers, it is recommended not only for those who want to ski seriously but also for those who just want to take a run or two and enjoy the snow.

No need to worry about ski gear or meals. Enjoy spring skiing with ease

A representative ski resort in Hokkaido, where many FIS (International Ski Federation) and snowboarding World Cup events are held. It is characterized by its pleasant snow quality and magnificent views.
Various rentals such as ski equipment are available, so you can visit empty-handed. You can also enjoy lunch at "Restaurant Downhill" located next to the ropeway summit station. After skiing, go shopping at "Ningle Terrace" near the foot of the mountain. It is a shopping area with 15 log houses lined up in the forest, featuring unique shops such as exhibitions and sales of craft works.

Local
Supporter

For those who are reluctant to let go of winter, how about one last spring ski trip this season? Since it is about a 90-minute drive from both Asahikawa and Tomamu, you can easily visit for a day trip.

Furano Ski Resort

• Nakagoryo, Furano City, Hokkaido MAP
• Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Furano Station
• Take a bus from JR Furano Station and get off at "Furano Prince Hotel" or "New Furano Prince Hotel"
• Daytime: Nov 29, 2025 (Sat) – May 6, 2026 (Wed/Holiday) 8:30–16:00 or sunset
  Night skiing: Scheduled for mid-Dec 2025 – Mar 21, 2026 (Sat) 16:00–19:30 *Until 18:00 on weekdays
• None during the operating period *Operating period and hours may change depending on weather and snow conditions
• Lift tickets (Regular season)
  1-day ticket: Adults 8,000 yen, Seniors 7,500 yen (Free for elementary school students and younger)
  Night ticket: Adults from 2,900 yen, Seniors from 2,700 yen
  *Prices vary by day of the week, season, etc., so please check the website.
• 0167-22-1111
• Free

4
Tsuboya Kibana no Mori

Find souvenirs and enjoy sweets at the concept shop for the famous Asahikawa confectionery "Kibana"

"Kibana" is a famous confection from "Tsuboya Sohonten," a long-established confectionery store in Asahikawa City. It is a classic Asahikawa souvenir consisting of rich white chocolate sandwiched between almond galettes.
At "Tsuboya Kibana no Mori," you can enjoy looking for souvenirs such as baked goods, cakes, and bonbon chocolates made with local ingredients, as well as dining at the cafe and touring the confectionery factory. There are also sales of local sake and craft works by local woodworkers, making it a concept shop overflowing with local charm. The "Kibana Festival" is also held every year in early April, featuring the sale of limited-edition products and a popularity vote for Kibana.

I want to taste freshly made sweets from the factory and the popular Mori no Kinu soft-serve ice cream

At "CAFE Bunran" located inside the facility, you can enjoy various sweets and light meals such as pasta and pizza. We recommend the "Dessert Plate," which comes with a cake freshly made in the factory. It is a great value plate that includes one cake of your choice from those lined up in the showcase, Baumkuchen, "Mori no Kinu Soft" (silk soft-serve ice cream), and a drink.
Mori no Kinu Soft is a soft-serve ice cream made with silk powder and milk produced in Asahikawa City. It comes in two types, vanilla and aronia sauce, and can also be purchased individually. Its smooth and refreshing sweetness is popular.

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At the cafe, you can sit in Asahikawa furniture chairs and spend time gazing at the seasonal garden scenery through the window. Snow usually remains in April, but from mid-May, the landscape opens up with fresh greenery and garden flowers. A stroll through the garden after your meal is also recommended.

Tsuboya Kibana no Mori

• 19-chome, Minami 6-jo-dori, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
• 10 minutes by car from JR Asahikawa Station
• 9:30–18:00
  CAFE Bunran 10:00–17:00 (L.O. 16:30), Lunch time 11:00–14:00
  Midori to Hanako 10:00–17:00
  Kibana no Mori Selection 10:00–17:00
• Irregular holidays
• 0166-39-1600
• Confectionery items purchased, such as Kihana, can be eaten in the eat-in space
  
  

5
Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum

Experience Ainu culture at a private memorial museum with over 100 years of history

This private memorial museum was established by the Kawamura family, known as an old Ainu family in the Kamikawa region around Asahikawa City, to preserve Ainu culture. You can view approximately 500 exhibits, including Ainu daily necessities and carvings, as well as numerous photographs, and enjoy hands-on experiences with traditional Ainu crafts and musical instruments.
Opened in 1916 (Taisho 5), it has a long history, and features a wide array of old folk tools primarily collected by the second director, Kaneto Kawamura. There are also about 150 of the carved wooden bears that were once a staple souvenir of Hokkaido, some of which are available for purchase. You can experience the spiritual culture and history of the Ainu, who had a close connection with nature.

In addition to viewing the exhibits and photographs, we also recommend the hands-on programs that allow you to experience Ainu culture more deeply. Experiences such as Ainu-pattern paper cutting and embroidery are popular with both adults and children because they are easy to enjoy.
For those who want to have a bit more fun, we highly recommend the performance experience of the traditional Ainu mouth harp, the "mukkuri," or the traditional dance experience where you can wear ethnic costumes and sing and dance. Even if you are a complete beginner with no prior knowledge, you can surprisingly easily perform any of these once you get the hang of them, allowing you to experience Ainu culture while having fun. All programs require reservations, so please call in advance if you would like to participate.

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Supporter

The traditional costumes worn for the traditional dance experience come in several patterns and sizes for both men and women, and there are also sizes for children. We recommend them for commemorative photos as well.

Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum

• 11-chome, Hokumon-cho, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido                               MAP                              
• Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Asahikawa Station
• Take the Asahikawa Denki Kido Bus No. 24 bound for "Hokumon-cho 21-chome" and get off at "Ainu Kinenkan-mae"; it is right in front.
• 9:00–17:00 *Operating hours are subject to change.
• May–November: Open every day
  December–April: Tuesdays
• Adults 800 yen, University students 600 yen, Junior/Senior high school students 500 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen, Free for children under elementary school age
  Paper cutting experience 2,000 yen, Traditional dance experience 2,000 yen, Mukkuri performance experience 3,000 yen, Embroidery experience 4,000 yen
  *All experiences require a reservation.
• 0166-51-2461
• Free