Daisetsuzan to Akan–Mashu 9 Day Hiking Tour

We meet at Asahikawa Station at 9:30 am and drive to Mt Asahidake. Our first hike takes us up the ropeway to Sugatami Station at 1,600 m. From here, we explore the Sugatami Loop, an easy trail circling volcanic crater ponds with views of steaming fumaroles.

We then descend via the Tennyogahara Marshland Trail, passing through bamboo grasslands and forests of birch and fir, with beautiful open marshes along the way.

After a briefing at the visitor centre, we spend the night at Asahidake Onsen (1,100 m), where we can enjoy the natural hot springs.

We head to the Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan's second largest and one of its oldest. Known as the Roof of Hokkaido, the Ainu people call it kamuy-mintar, meaning "the playground of the Gods".

Taking the cable car to Sugatami Station at 1,600 m, we climb to Mt. Asahidake's summit at 2,291 m, Hokkaido's highest point. Our route follows the rim of Ohachidaira caldera before summiting Mt. Hokkai (2,149 m) and Mt. Kurodake (1,984 m).

We descend to Sounkyo Gorge via chair lift and cable car. This picturesque onsen village, nestled between mountains and cliffs, is our home for the night.

Alternate Route

In challenging weather conditions, we may opt for a loop hike returning via Nakadake Onsen after summiting Mt. Asahidake. This route still explores the caldera rim but offers earlier shelter from exposure.

After an early breakfast, we hike from Kogen Onsen to explore the Kogen Numa (alpine ponds) trail. This remote area is home to Hokkaido Brown Bears (higuma), and we receive a briefing about bear activity at the Higuma Information Centre before setting out. The trail, situated between 1,230 m and 1,460 m, takes us past beautiful alpine flora and more than a dozen mountain ponds of various sizes.

At day's end, we travel to Nukabira Onsen, a hot spring village by Lake Nukabira. We stay in a historical hotel that has been renovated into a modern Japanese-style inn, run by a welcoming local family.

We drive along Lake Shikaribetsu to reach our trailhead at the shore of Lake Shikaribetsu, Hokkaido's highest large natural lake.

Our loop walk takes us to the summits of Mt. Tenbou (1,174 m) and Mt. Hakuunzan (1,186 m). From these peaks, we enjoy stunning views of Lake Shikaribetsu and might spot Northern Pika in their rocky homes.

Our path leads past the beautiful Shinonome Lake, a small alpine lake in the highlands. We enjoy lunch on the trail, including rice balls from our Nukabira Onsen hosts.

After our full-day hike, we return to Nukabira Onsen for a relaxing soak in the hot springs.

After a relaxing morning, we head to Lake Akan, a scenic caldera lake in Akan-Mashu National Park. Here, we visit the Akankohan Eco Museum Centre and take a short forest hike to see bokke, fascinating bubbling mud pools that showcase the region's volcanic activity.

The rest of the day is free to explore Lake Akan. We recommend visiting Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, where local Ainu families and artisans showcase their work in workshops and galleries along the street.

After breakfast, we head to Mt. Meakan (1,499 m), an iconic mountain offering spectacular views of steaming vents and a blue lagoon at its summit.

Our loop hike traverses diverse landscapes from ancient conifer forests to rocky alpine slopes. Hardy alpine flowers, including the mountain's namesake Meakan-fusuma sandwort, add splashes of colour to the volcanic terrain. The trail concludes at tranquil Lake Onneto, surrounded by old-growth forest.

We spend the night at Kawayu Onsen, a charming hot spring town between Lakes Kussharo and Mashu. After dinner at our accommodation, we recommend soaking in the famous hot spring baths to relax after the day's hike.

We begin with an easy morning hike up Mt. Mokoto (1,000 m), perched on the rim of Kussharo Caldera. The 4.1 km trail weaves through low shrubs along the ridgeline, offering spectacular lake views. After enjoying the summit vista, we stop at a local restaurant for a home-cooked lunch.

In the afternoon, we explore Mt. Io, watching steam rise from volcanic fumaroles. We then take a gentle 2.3 km walk along the Tsusujigahara Trail, witnessing nature's 400-year recovery from the last eruption.

Our day ends in Kawayu Onsen, where we can soak in the hot springs and rest our feet in the neighbourhood foot bath.

After an early breakfast and picking up lunch supplies, we hike steadily uphill through forest to reach Gaman-zaka ("endurance hill"). After this steep section, we emerge above the treeline where panoramic views await.

Our path takes us first to Mt. Risuke (787 m), offering our first views of Lake Mashu, then along a pleasant ridgeline to Mt. Nishibetsu (800 m).

We continue to Mt. Mashu (857 m), where—weather permitting—we'll enjoy lunch with stunning views of the caldera lake below. The day concludes with a gentle walk along the caldera rim before driving to our traditional Japanese inn by Lake Notoro.

After breakfast at our accommodation, we check out and say our farewells at either JR Abashiri train station or Memambetsu Airport (MMB). From the train station, you can take a Limited Express train to Sapporo, whilst the airport offers direct flights to Tokyo Haneda (HND). Itterashai!