Experience the Blessings of Nature and Life in the Mountains - A Hiking and Cycling Exploration of Daisetsuzan

Often called “the roof of Hokkaido,” Daisetsuzan National Park is located in a stunning mountain range at the heart of Japan’s second-largest main island and is home to the region’s highest peak, the majestic Mt. Asahidake, which stands at 2,291 meters tall. While the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range sits around 2,000 meters above sea level, the high latitude results in alpine conditions comparable to the 3,000-meter peaks in Japan’s main island of Honshu and offer hikers an unforgettable opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and colorful alpine flora that the Indigenous Ainu people call “Kamui Mintara,” or “the playground of the gods.”

The tour begins with a stay at a Sounkyo Onsen, a relaxing hot spring resort located within the famous national park, where you can enjoy a stunning view of Sounyko Gorge’s spectacular 200-meter-high and 24-kilometer-long columnar-jointed cliffs, which straddle the Ishikari River. Furthermore, the park’s leaves begin their autumn transformation in September — the earliest in all of Japan — rendering the area awash in a vibrant sea of colorful foliage that is truly a sight to behold.

The following day, we’ll enjoy a locally guided trek along a trail famous for its beautiful autumn views — lucky trekkers may even catch a glimpse of a brown bear!

The theme of the subsequent tour is “Daisetsuzan’s gifts of nature,” is a cycling trip that takes us to the headwaters of the Ishikari and Tokachi Rivers. The surrounding towns are blessed with an abundance of water, resulting in fields of delicious rice that, at this time of year, turn a deep golden hue, making for a particularly beautiful view. Thanks to the pristine spring water, the region is also blessed with a rich assortment of food, along with numerous sake breweries producing exquisite varieties. You can also look forward to savoring elegant dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, including sitting down for lunch at a restaurant produced by Kiyomi Mikuni, one of Japan’s most celebrated chefs.

Enjoy four days in Daisetsuzan’s magnificent mountains, all while experiencing the flavors and ways of life that depend on this region’s many gifts of nature.