Asahikawa

The Ainu called the Asahi River "Chiu Pet" meaning "River of Waves", but it was misunderstood as "Chup Pet" meaning "Sun River", and so it came to be called Asahi River (Asahi = Morning Sun). Asahikawa is the second largest city in Hokkaido, located almost in the center of Hokkaido, in the shadow of Mt. Daisetsu-san. The main train station (Asahikawa Station) is located right in the center of the city and provides easy access to the central shopping area which runs almost directly north away from the station. There are many shops, department stores, hire car shops in this area. There is also an information office located in the left wing of the station, with various English pamphlets and booklets. There are about 130 rivers and streams including the Ishikari River and Chūbetsu River, and over 740 bridges in the city. Many people travel to Asahikawa to see the now quite famous and ever expanding Asahiyama Zoo (Asahiyama Doubutsu-en). The zoo is located in the north-east of the city and takes about 10 min. by car or bus. Asahikawa is the coldest city in Japan, holding Japan's temperature record of -41°C. It's not that bad most of the time though, and the good side to cold and snow is that there's some great skiing nearby. Please be mindful of the time of year you are visiting and bring appropriate clothing.

PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT….

Asahiyama Zoo // The most northern in Japan and houses a huge number of animals across a wide range of species. Some of the most popular exhibits are the polar bear house where it is possible to see the animals very close up through glass walls (This exhibit is particularly good at feeding time, but be sure to arrive early!). The penguin pool contains a 360° see through walk-way running through the middle of the pool. The seal house has a similar see through area. The large cat house allows visitors to see the animals close up through glass walls. Monkey mountain and the orangutan tower are also popular. There is a farm animal petting area for kids and also a small roller coaster. The zoo is open all year however many animals may be hibernating or closed indoors during the winter season.

Asahikawa Sculpture Museum // Housed inside a beautiful old western-style officers club, known as Kaikosha, which was built at the end of the Meiji era, this museum was built to honor a sculpture closely associated with Asahikawa, Teijiro Nakahara. The museum has various displays from modern sculptors from both Japan and abroad.

Banei Horse Racing // The Asahikawa Horse Race Track is home to a unique Japan only race, banei horse racing. Banei or draft horses are huge when compared to their thoroughbred companions (almost twice the size and weight). This race involves the horses pulling heavy sleighs ranging in weight from 500 to 1000 kgs. The course also includes two large mounds the horses must negotiate. The race was developed from old competitions between first settlers some 200 years ago.

Clark Horse Garden // For those who like a little adventure or would like to see the surrounding area of Asahikawa from a different perspective Clark Horse Garden is the ideal place to start. Located just a few minutes from the Asahiyama Zoo, horse rides of different types and lengths are offered. Beginners are welcomed as are more experienced riders. The horse trekking course takes visitors into the Sakuraoka Hill area where some beautiful scenery can be enjoyed. Horse trekking is offered all year round with summer and winter rides. There is also a coffee shop which serves various meals and drinks.

Heiwa Dori Shopping Street // Running directly away in a north-east direction from Asahikawa Station for about 15 blocks, Heiwa Dori Shopping Street is a wide pedestrian shopping fair, which is home to most of Asahikawa’s large department stores and brand name shops. The street is almost always teeming with people even during the harsh winter but is particularly busy in the summer when markets, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls and various other novelty shops will come outside to enjoy the summer. The street is also lined with various sculptures of interest that have been produced by some of Asahikawa’s well known artists. This shopping street is also located next to the famous Asahikawa entertainment area called Sanroku.

Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art // Located in the south west corner of Tokiwa Park, the museum has a permanent exhibition of woodwork created in the Asahikawa area. Other regularly changing exhibitions are also on display at various times of the year. Exhibitions included Japanese and foreign art works and various exhibitions of famous writers from the central Hokkaido region.

International Dyeing & Weaving Art Museum // Displaying works from more than 80 countries around the world this museum was the first of it’s kind in Japan. The majority of exhibits are from the 18th and 19th centuries and include a variety of famous tapestries and textiles. Examples of such works include the “Gobelin Tapestry” which was commissioned by Louis XV as a gift to the French Royal family and red dyed textiles from the Tang Dynasty in China.

Sanroku Entertainment Area // Much like Sapporo’s Susukino entertainment area, this area is conveniently located next to the main down town area, less than 5 min. walk in a north-west direction from JR Asahikawa Station. Covering about 12 blocks and containing more than 1,300 bars, restaurants, clubs and cocktail bars Sanroku is definitely the center for nightlife in Asahikawa. Restaurants and entertainment facilities cater to any kind of budget ranging from the cheap to the extremely expensive. Specialties in this area are the sushi and crab shops however many other kinds of food can be found. There is a summer festival held in this area each year which brings out the Asahikawa residents for fun times and street parties.

Snow Crystal Museum // Featuring a covered passageway with natural ice moldings and a painted dome entitled “Northern Sky” (Kita no Sora) the museum houses a music hall where various concerts and weddings are held and an ice cloister. The beauty and mystery of snow and ice are the themes for all the types of displays and projections throughout the museum.

Taisetsu Crystal Hall // It was built in 1993 and contains three facilities, a concert hall, a historical museum and an international convention hall. The theme of the permanent exhibition at the museum is “The Relationship Between Humans and Nature” . The museum houses various materials used by humans since the prehistoric ages. It also contains interesting material on the local area of Asahikawa and the Ainu people.

Tokiwa Park (Tokiwa Koen) // This park is located in the midst of the down town area and provides a lovely place to relax after a hard day sightseeing or shopping. The park contains poplar trees, elms and Sakhalin firs. There is a large pond (Chidoriga Pond) in the center where visitors can enjoy row boating or simply watch the birds. Also contained within the park is a Youth Science Center, River Amusement Museum Public Hall, Central Library and the Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art.

Yukaraori Folkcraft Museum // Yukaraori fabrics were first created in Asahikawa and have gained worldwide recognition for their beauty and detail. The fabrics are woven in traditional styles using traditional patterns and themes. Many themes of these exquisite fabrics are based on the nature of Hokkaido itself, such as “Drift Ice” and “Rugosa Rose”. Several masterpieces that were created over long periods with painstaking detail are on display along with many other examples.

Romantic Road (Plane tree avenue and Church) // An avenue from forest of Kaguraoka to the residential area of Midorigaoka is romantic avenue, it is also called "plane tree street". The tree tops from both side overlaps mutually, it changes like it were green tunnel for 2.8 km. On the road side there are British style Gothic architectural churches, stylish french restaurants and cafes. Walking in the street in the sunshine through the leaves, it feels like walking in the foreign country.