Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa City)

Sounkyo Onsen (Kamikawa Town)

Shirogane Blue Pond (Biei Town)

Flower garden (Furano City / Biei Town)

The Kamikawa region of Hokkaido (inside the Kamikawa area) is located in the center of Hokkaido and is about the same size as Niigata prefecture. It is a basin surrounded by mountains on all sides and the temperature between winter and summer is very large difference and it can reach 36°C (96.8°F) in summer and -41°C (-41.8°F) in winter. The harsh cold creates the natural features of the frigid regions such as silky powder snow, beautiful diamond dust, sun pillars and in the summer, the spectacular scenery of flowers and hills such as lavender spreads.

Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa Denkikidou / get off at Asahiyama Dobutsuen) is a zoo that focuses on the preciousness and beauty of life. Many popular animals such as polar bears, penguins and red pandas are waiting for you. The "Behavioral Exhibit" allows visitors to see animals in their natural habitat, the "Mogumogu Time (Feeding Time)" shows animals eating food with explanations and the "Symbiotic Exhibit" allows visitors to observe animals from different habitats in the same space.

Sounkyo Onsen (get off at Sounkyo bus stop on the Dohoku Bus) is one of the most famous onsen resorts in Hokkaido. Located almost in the middle of Hokkaido, it is popular among tourists as a base for sightseeing around Hokkaido. At the foot of Daisetsuzan Mountain, the magnificent and harsh nature makes visitors feel divine and mysterious and it is a sacred land that has long been called "Kamuy Mintar (the playground of the gods)". It is also a power spot and heals the tired mind in unexplored areas such as onsen, icefalls and starry sky tours.

Shirogane Blue Pond (take the Furano Bus Lavender, change at Biei Station and get off at Shirogane Aoiike Iriguchi on the Dohoku Bus) is a nationally popular spot with fantastic cobalt blue water. This mysterious color is also commonly known as "Biei Blue". It is a spot that can be enjoyed at any time of the year, as it glows with different shades of blue depending on the weather. The surrounding towns of Biei and Furano are also famous for their vast lavender fields the largest in Hokkaido. There are several flower garden which are crowded with plenty tourists during the blooming season. You can enjoy snow picnics, dog sledding experiences and hot air balloon activities overlooking the snowy world in winter.

As for gourmet food. You can enjoy Asahikawa Ramen, Genghis Khan mutton BBQ and other dishes from the Kamikawa area that make full use of the blessings of nature. Fresh game dishes, Ginga salmon (rainbow trout) grown in the pure spring water of Daisetsuzan Mountain, traditional Ainu cuisine, cheese and soft serve ice cream. Lots of great food that can only be found in this region!

Let's enjoy everything in Hokkaido in the middle of Hokkaido. To fully enjoy the vast Kamikawa area, a bus that you can easily move around is convenient! The "KAMIKURU Pass", which allows you to take the route buses in the area with your smartphone, is a great deal. Let's enjoy the charm of sightseeing spots in the Kamikawa area!