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Higashikawa Town
東川町
 Higashikawa Town is located approximately 20min east of Asahikawa City and sits at the foot of the Taisetsuzan National Park, the largest mountain national park in Japan.
Higashikawa is as close as you will get to the complete tourism destination, offering something for nature, wildlife, sports, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
For lovers of nature, there are plenty of mountain and forest hiking trails of varying gradients and lengths. In winter the forests and mountains are equally as attractive when trekked using snowshoes.
The Hagoromo no Taki waterfall in Tenninkyo offers stunning scenery in spring, summer and autumn, with pleasant hikes into deep forest.
Asahidake (Mount Asahi), and Kitoushi (on the outskirts of Higashikawa Town) likewise offer plenty all year round, with some of the finest powder Hokkaido has to offer at Asahidake, and on-hill cabin accommodation with night skiing at Canmore Ski Village - Kitoushi.
 If visiting the area in spring and summer, be sure to check out the gallery in the forest at the Kitoushi Forest Park. The outdoor photo exhibition includes 225 professional photographs embedded in specially designated locations and along the full length of a moderate hike.
A novel idea that is becoming increasingly popular in forest parks across the world, this exhibition is a must see.
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Rice and Natural Spring Water
Hokkaido rice has grown in popularity recently to become one of Japan's highest quality rice brands. All Higashikawa houses and businesses use pure spring water from the Taisetsuzan National Park, with farming no exception. Higashikawa's rice is considered amongst the most healthy in Japan, firstly because rice farms use only the cold, mineral-rich spring water of the Taisetsuzan, and secondly because the relatively cool Higashikawa summer and consequent low insect population allows rice farmers the luxury of not having to rely on pesticides.
At Higashikawa you will be able to purchase both the stunningly clear Taisetsuzan Spring Water as well as Higashikawa Rice as attractive souvenirs.
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 Michikusa Drive-Rally
Early May
You are able to visit up to 4 places of your choice from a list of participating businesses, including restaurants, sightseeing spots, craft workshops, or onsen (hot springs). A single ticket costing 1,500yen will get you in, but be sure to get in early, tickets are limited and sell out fast.
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Kurashi Tanoshiku Festival
(Happy life festival)
End of May and Early September
Open-air market featuring local agricultural products, art and craft and food tents all designed to celebrate the joy of Higashikawa life.
Official Site (in Japanese)
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Nupuri kor kamuy nomi
(pray to the mountain gods)
Mid June
Traditional Ainu style "start of hiking season" festival at Mount Asahi. The festival provides traditional Ainu rituals, dance, and finishes with an enormous BBQ party. Official Site (in Japanese)
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Higashikawa Town
International Photo Festival
End of July
The awarding of the Internationally renowned photography prize, the "Higashikawa Prize", is the highlight of this photography festival and competition. As well as the Higashikawa Prize, many other photographic honours are handed out, including debut entry, international entry, local entry with selected special photographer prizes.
Official Site (in Japanese)
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Shashin Koshien
(National
high-school photo competition)
Dontokoi Matsuri
End of July
About 6,000 high schools enter this competition with the top 14 schools selected to stay in Higashikawa for 5 days to continue the competition. All top 14 schools then use the same cameras and equipment to take photos under controlled conditions. The Dontokoi Matsuri is held as part of this competition and allows visitors to see fireworks, parades, and many other attractions.
Official Site of "Shashin Koshien" (in Japanese)
Official Site of "Dontokoi Matsuri" (in Japanese)
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Higashikawa Kori Matsuri
(Ice Festival)
Mid January
Japan's earliest winter festival is held in Higashikawa. Visitors are able to see fireworks, enjoy snow games, and marvel at the impressive ice sculptures.
Official Site (in Japanese)
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Kitoushi Shinrin Koen - Kazokuryokomura-
(Kitoushi Forest Park - Family Village)
This is a great destination for families! Beautiful hills, hiking trails, go-carts, a cherry blossom field, camping area, the biggest park golf area in Hokkaido, small water park, wild animals, and nearby golf course are all available in Kitoushi. The self-contained log cabins are available all year round and represent awesome on-hill accommodation during the ski/snowboard season, particularly when you consider that Asahidake is just around the corner (30 mins. by car).
Go east on Route 1160 to Asahidake and Tenninkyo
(Go east on 1 jyo from the city)
13km [Approximately 25min]
Get off at Higashikawa Michikusa-kan
(from there a taxi to Kitoushi will only cost you 600~1000yen)
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Tenninkyo
After Chubetsu-dam, the road splits with the left taking you to the Asahidake Onsen area, and the right taking you to Tenninkyo.
The beautiful gorge, rock cliffs, water falls, and river-side walking trails all conspire to make Tenninkyo one of the most sought after tourist destinations in central Hokkaido.
Go east on Route 1160 to Asahidake and Tenninkyo way
(Go east on 1 jyo)
Pass Chubetsu Dam and follow the road to the right to Tenninkyo. Depending on tourist numbers, parking will either be after the tunnel in the onsen area, or before the tunnel in the first car parking area.
38km 60min
Asahikawa Denki Kido
Tour bus Ideyu-go
Get on at ④ (
in front of JR station)
(see bus stop map)
Get off at Tenninkyo
1:15 ¥1180(one-way)
(→2009 Bus schedule)
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Asahidake
(Mount Asahi)
Being Hokkaido's highest peak, Asahidake is a hugely popular tourist destination in both summer and winter. Summer allows visitors long hikes with spectacular views from the top of the Taisetsuzan National Park. Winter provides some of the best back country and off-piste skiing and snowboarding in Japan thanks to the generous amounts of near perfect snow.
Asahidake is also renowned as one of the finest locations for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing with international cross-country skiing teams regularly using Asahidake as their pre-competition training venue.
BY CAR
Go east on Route 1160 to Asahidake and Tenninkyo way
(Go east on 1 jyo out of the city)
Pass Chubetsu Dam and turn left onto the winding mountain road leading to Asahidake Onsen
43km 70min
BY BUS
Asahikawa Denki Kido
Tour bus Ideyu-go
Get on at bus stop ④ ( in front of JR station)
(see bus stop map)
Get off at Asahidake
1:45 ¥1320(one-way)
(→2009 Bus Schedule)
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During the cherry blossom season, pink flowers inundate Higashikawa Town. The cherry blossoms in Kitoushi Forest Park are particularly stunning giving the impression of being stuck in some alpine fable.
Close by, we recommend "Kitano Sumai Sekkeisha" for lunch, a place specializing in food, furniture, and unusual imported goods.
The restaurant offers exquisitely authentic Italian cuisine made using local organic ingredients. If you aren't in the mood for a substantial lunch, try their bakery for a snack, it's superb.
"Kitano Sumai Sekkeisha" Official Site (in Japanese)
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Michikusa-kan is on the town's main street and doubles as a rest area and bus terminal. Here you can find locally made wood craft and Higashikawa's most popular souvenir, the Kome-can (a can of Higashikawa's famous rice) which is a rather unique and functional little gift. The cafe provides local sweets and of course no rest area would be without the customary soft serve ice cream booth.
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Taisetsu Yusui Koen
water park
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Taisetsu Asahidake
Gensui Koen
(Spring water park)
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