Asahikawa & Sounkyo Gorge Day Trip
The day trip to Asahikawa & Sounkyo Gorge is for animal and nature lovers, and is suitable at any time of year. In summer, the powerful nature at Sounkyo Gorge where waterfalls tumble down the cliff walls in succession easily makes Sounkyo the best waterfalls location in Hokkaido. In winter, the gorge turns into a wildlife spotting center as Ezo deer find shelter from the harsh winds and in turn draw white-tailed eagles, Mallard ducks, red Hokkaido foxes and more. The waterfalls turn into frozen falls as a winter wonderland envelopes the northern reaches of Daisetsuzan National Park. The Sounkyo Ice Festival, held from late January to March, also should not be missed. Coupled with visits to: a century-old sake brewery; Asahiyama Zoo, Hokkaido’s best zoo which hosts a penguin parade twice daily in winter; great local restaurants; onsens with birds-eye views of the gorge and more, the Asahikawa & Sounkyo Gorge Day Trip is one of the most exciting day trips from Sapporo.
Included in the price of this tour is:
✔ Nature walking or snowshoeing at Sounkyo Gorge, the best gorge in Hokkaido, with a succession of waterfalls and wildlife spotting opportunities
✔ Visiting Asahiyama Zoo, the top zoo in Hokkaido, famous for its creative enclosures and unusual vantage points of the animals, along with the irrepressibly cute penguin parade in winter
✔ Learning about the ancient art of sake brewing at Otokoyama Sake Brewery; free samples and purchases available
✔ Luxuriating at a top-floor hot springs with million-dollar views of Sounkyo Gorge from the outdoor baths
✔ Trying Asahikawa’s shouyu ramen at the Ramen Village, a specialty ramen known across Hokkaido (self-pay); other lunch options also available
✔ Exploring the Sounkyo Ice Festival, one of the best winter festivals in Hokkaido, replete with ice caves, igloos, tubing and other fun activities (winter only)
Included in the price of this tour is:
✔ Nature walking or snowshoeing at Sounkyo Gorge, the best gorge in Hokkaido, with a succession of waterfalls and wildlife spotting opportunities
✔ Visiting Asahiyama Zoo, the top zoo in Hokkaido, famous for its creative enclosures and unusual vantage points of the animals, along with the irrepressibly cute penguin parade in winter
✔ Learning about the ancient art of sake brewing at Otokoyama Sake Brewery; free samples and purchases available
✔ Luxuriating at a top-floor hot springs with million-dollar views of Sounkyo Gorge from the outdoor baths
✔ Trying Asahikawa’s shouyu ramen at the Ramen Village, a specialty ramen known across Hokkaido (self-pay); other lunch options also available
✔ Exploring the Sounkyo Ice Festival, one of the best winter festivals in Hokkaido, replete with ice caves, igloos, tubing and other fun activities (winter only)
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This tour includes:
✔ Tour guided by an English-speaking nature guide ✔ Private transportation in 4wd vehicle ✔ Pick-up and drop-off at any location in Sapporo and beyond ✔ Guided nature walk, wildlife spotting, Sounkyo Gorge, Asahiyama Zoo, sake brewery, local cuisine, hot springs & more ✔ Free use of snowshoes & poles (winter only) ✔ Sounkyo Ice Festival (winter only) ✔ Hot springs entry fee ✔ Quality photos provided following the tour |
Asahikawa & Sounkyo Gorge Day Trip Itinerary
Please note that this itinerary can be modified to match your personal preferences.
Recommended Months: All Year
Trip Itinerary
7:45am: Departure from Sapporo in Private Vehicle
Pick-up from your hotel or other location for the 2 hour drive to Asahikawa
9;45am: Asahiyama Zoo
See the adorable penguin parade (winter only) and other animals at the zoo, which is famous for its creative enclosures that allow for unusual up-close views of the animals.
12:00pm: Otokoyama Sake Brewery
Learn about the ancient techniques of sake brewing at this century-old brewery; free samples and purchases available.
12:30pm: Lunch at Asahikawa
Recommended: Asahikawa Ramen Village, a collection of ramen shops, with the local specialty being shouyu ramen (self-pay); other lunch options also available.
2:30pm: Sounkyo Gorge 8 Waterfalls Trail
Hike or snowshoe deep into the gorge on a paved trail while counting waterfalls and spotting wildlife at one of the best nature walks in Hokkaido.
4:30pm: Choyo Tei Onsen
This famous hot springs has 7th floor baths overlooking the gorge. Please bring your own onsen towels or rent on site.
5:30pm: Sounkyo Ice Festival (winter only)
One of the largest and best winter festivals in Hokkaido, the Sounkyo Ice Festival runs between late January to mid-March, with truly impressive ice buildings, caves, igloos, tubing and more on offer.
9:00pm: Arrive in Sapporo
Drop-off at your hotel or another downtown location.
Please note that this itinerary can be modified to match your personal preferences.
Recommended Months: All Year
Trip Itinerary
7:45am: Departure from Sapporo in Private Vehicle
Pick-up from your hotel or other location for the 2 hour drive to Asahikawa
9;45am: Asahiyama Zoo
See the adorable penguin parade (winter only) and other animals at the zoo, which is famous for its creative enclosures that allow for unusual up-close views of the animals.
12:00pm: Otokoyama Sake Brewery
Learn about the ancient techniques of sake brewing at this century-old brewery; free samples and purchases available.
12:30pm: Lunch at Asahikawa
Recommended: Asahikawa Ramen Village, a collection of ramen shops, with the local specialty being shouyu ramen (self-pay); other lunch options also available.
2:30pm: Sounkyo Gorge 8 Waterfalls Trail
Hike or snowshoe deep into the gorge on a paved trail while counting waterfalls and spotting wildlife at one of the best nature walks in Hokkaido.
4:30pm: Choyo Tei Onsen
This famous hot springs has 7th floor baths overlooking the gorge. Please bring your own onsen towels or rent on site.
5:30pm: Sounkyo Ice Festival (winter only)
One of the largest and best winter festivals in Hokkaido, the Sounkyo Ice Festival runs between late January to mid-March, with truly impressive ice buildings, caves, igloos, tubing and more on offer.
9:00pm: Arrive in Sapporo
Drop-off at your hotel or another downtown location.
What is included in this tour:
✔ Tour guided by an English-speaking nature guide
✔ Private transportation in 4wd vehicle
✔ Pick-up and drop-off at any location in Sapporo and beyond
✔ Guided nature walk, wildlife spotting, Sounkyo Gorge, Asahiyama Zoo, sake brewery, local cuisine, hot springs & more
✔ Free use of snowshoes & poles (winter only)
✔ Sounkyo Ice Festival (winter only)
✔ Hot springs entry fee
✔ Quality photos provided following the tour
What is not included in this tour:
✔ Tour guided by an English-speaking nature guide
✔ Private transportation in 4wd vehicle
✔ Pick-up and drop-off at any location in Sapporo and beyond
✔ Guided nature walk, wildlife spotting, Sounkyo Gorge, Asahiyama Zoo, sake brewery, local cuisine, hot springs & more
✔ Free use of snowshoes & poles (winter only)
✔ Sounkyo Ice Festival (winter only)
✔ Hot springs entry fee
✔ Quality photos provided following the tour
What is not included in this tour:
- Meals
- Onsen towel (can be rented on site)
Tour Name: Asahikawa & Sounkyo Gorge Day Trip
Tour Type: HNT Day Trip
Tour Price: 60,800 yen (group price based on 2 participants; modest price increases for groups of 3 persons or more)
Sales Tax: 4,864 yen
Total Tour Price: 65,700 yen
Tour Type: HNT Day Trip
Tour Price: 60,800 yen (group price based on 2 participants; modest price increases for groups of 3 persons or more)
Sales Tax: 4,864 yen
Total Tour Price: 65,700 yen
What to Bring: Essentials
Season appropriate clothing ∙ Onsen towel (can be rented on site)
If you have any questions, ask us!
Our Guiding Policy
Paramount for HNT tours is the safety and well-being of our clients. Our extensive experience in the mountains of Hokkaido and internationally gives us a profound respect for the powers of nature, and we will not hesitate to alter a trip if we encounter adverse weather conditions. All scheduled plans in the itinerary are subject to change according to safety conditions. Your safety is truly our top-priority.
Disclaimer
We take great care in creating the ultimate tours for our guests which are uniquely matched to their preferences. We will endeavor to follow the itinerary to the greatest possible measure, however, due to weather conditions, guest safety, or unexpected delays in the course of a tour, we cannot guarantee that every activity on the itinerary will be completed. HNT is not responsible if aspects of a tour cannot be achieved. If a tour prematurely ends because of an inability to continue due to reasons attributable to HNT, a refund will be provided for any missed tour activities, not including reservation payments that cannot be refunded from tour operators or other establishments.
Deposit & Cancellation Policy
A minimum 50% deposit must be received no later than 30 days before the start of a tour. The remainder can be paid in cash upon arrival. Cancellations by any participants made by 30 days before the start of a tour are eligible for a 50% refund; Cancellations by any participants made within 30 days of a tour are not eligible for a refund.
Season appropriate clothing ∙ Onsen towel (can be rented on site)
If you have any questions, ask us!
Our Guiding Policy
Paramount for HNT tours is the safety and well-being of our clients. Our extensive experience in the mountains of Hokkaido and internationally gives us a profound respect for the powers of nature, and we will not hesitate to alter a trip if we encounter adverse weather conditions. All scheduled plans in the itinerary are subject to change according to safety conditions. Your safety is truly our top-priority.
Disclaimer
We take great care in creating the ultimate tours for our guests which are uniquely matched to their preferences. We will endeavor to follow the itinerary to the greatest possible measure, however, due to weather conditions, guest safety, or unexpected delays in the course of a tour, we cannot guarantee that every activity on the itinerary will be completed. HNT is not responsible if aspects of a tour cannot be achieved. If a tour prematurely ends because of an inability to continue due to reasons attributable to HNT, a refund will be provided for any missed tour activities, not including reservation payments that cannot be refunded from tour operators or other establishments.
Deposit & Cancellation Policy
A minimum 50% deposit must be received no later than 30 days before the start of a tour. The remainder can be paid in cash upon arrival. Cancellations by any participants made by 30 days before the start of a tour are eligible for a 50% refund; Cancellations by any participants made within 30 days of a tour are not eligible for a refund.
