HNT Daisetsuzan National Park: Fall Activities

Daisetsuzan National Park: Fall Activities

As Japan's largest national park, a visit to Daisetsuzan National Park should be on every Hokkaido itinerary. The fall season comes early to Daisetsuzan, with many trees and shrubs turning color in late September, a few weeks ahead of other areas in Hokkaido. It's a great time to ride a ropeway up to a viewing point, walk along highland plateaus, or sneak a hike up a peak before the snow arrives in October.

Popular fall activities include riding ropeways, waterfall viewing, hiking, sightseeing and hot springs. Top places to visit include Tokachidake Onsen Resort, Asahidake Onsen Resort, Sounkyo Gorge, Ginsendai and Shikaribetsu Lake. We highly recommend making Daisetsuzan National Park a part of your tour to Hokkaido.

Fall Hiking & Trekking

Daisetsuzan National Park is the first place in Japan where autumn descends and the brilliant changing colors of the leaves appear. From late-September to mid-October, the middle to upper elevations dazzle with reds, oranges and yellows lavished across the landscapes. Whether you're interested in a few hours' easy hiking course or a multi-day trek, we offer exceptional guiding service and an intimate knowledge of the mountains.
Hiking at Daisetsuzan National Park can include riding ropeways, waterfall viewing, wild hot springs, fumaroles, steep ascents, descent-only trails or flat walks, peaks, mountain hut stays, camping, rivers, marshes and primary forests. Whatever your preferences, contact us to build an awesome hiking & trekking tour at Daisetsuzan National Park, or to include a shorter visit on a wider Hokkaido tour.

For those interested in exploring the region on foot, check-out our Fall Hiking & Trekking page for full listings.

Daisetsuzan's Ropeways

he two main resorts at Daisetsuzan National Park - Asahidake Resort and Kurodake Resort - both have ropeways that carry visitors midway up the rugged mountain range for beautiful nature and spectacular views. Asahidake Ropeway brings passengers to the Sugatami Highland Plateau, a flat walking area with trails that meander between ponds, fumaroles and high-mountain flora. Fall is a great season for day trips to this stunning plateau, when alpine shrubs turn brilliant colors and dominate the beauty of the landscape. You may even experience some early season snow if you're lucky. The Kurodake Ropeway at Sounkyo Gorge is similarly spectacular, with views of the towering gorge and plains beyond. Large numbers of deciduous trees here create a carpet of yellow in early-October that is simply magical.

Hot Spring Resorts

There are three main hot spring resorts in Daisetsuzan National Park: Asahidake Resort, Sounkyo Gorge & Tokachidake Resort. There are also a few smaller hot spring areas such as at Tenninkyo, Shikaribetsu and Shirogane. With the variety of baths and spring types on offer, a hot spring bath is a must for trips to Daisetsuzan.

There are also a number of "wild" hot springs scattered around the park that are just as wonderful to visit. You can take a foot bath or jump right in, but be aware that these "wild" onsen are not for the timid. Most are mixed-baths, have little to no infrastructure or changing rooms, and are open for all to see.

Waterfalls

With the massive size of Daisetsuzan National Park, it comes as no surprise that there are many large and small waterfalls to be explored. The densest cluster of falls are at Sounkyo Gorge's 8 Waterfalls Trail, where a 3 kilometer walking trail skirts the deepest part of the gorge in spectacular fashion. The fall foliage in the gorge in mid-October is one of the most stunning fall sites in Hokkaido. Asahidake Resort also has a number of small falls within easy hiking distance to the bottom of the ropeway. Further south, the Shirahige Falls, whose waters spill into the blue Biei River, are a local favorite.
Unfortunately, the highest waterfall in Hokkaido, and one of the most beautiful, the so-called Angel's Robes Falls in Tenninkyo Gorge, is now inaccessible due to a recent landslide. We are awaiting construction of a new access trail to the falls.