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 1600m. 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 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 (1100m), 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 1600m, we climb to Mt. Asahidake's summit at 2291m, Hokkaido's highest point. Our route follows the rim of Ohachidaira caldera before summiting Mt. Hokkai (2149m) and Mt. Kurodake (1984m).

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.

This hike is very exposed to the elements. 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 breakfast, we head to the remote Kogen Onsen to explore the Kogen Numa trail. This wilderness is a popular habitat for the Hokkaido Brown Bear (higuma in Japanese); we begin with a safety briefing at the information centre to learn about recent activity before setting out. The trail climbs through native forest to a plateau where over a dozen mirror-like alpine ponds are scattered across the landscape. Depending on the season, we are treated to a vibrant carpet of summer wildflowers or the fiery reds and yellows of autumn.

Should bear activity close the trail, we instead climb Mt. Akadake. This 8.5km alternative starts climbs a total of 700m, offering expansive views from the lush forest canopy below to the rocky alpine terrain explored on previous days. Here, lingering summer snowbanks provide a cool contrast to the vibrant wildflowers that bloom in quick succession following the snowmelt.

Our day ends at Nukabira Onsen, where we stay in a beautifully renovated historical inn full of personal charm. We enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs and a unique dinner featuring local ingredients, including those foraged from the forest directly behind the hotel.

We drive to the shores of Lake Shikaribetsu, Hokkaido's highest natural lake. Our hike begins with a walk along the scenic lakeshore before a steep final ascent to the summit of Mt. Hakuunzan (1186m). From the peak, we are rewarded with views across the water and the chance to spot the Northern Pika in their rocky homes.

In the afternoon, we head to the Higashitaisetsu Trail to walk a 4.1km section of a decommissioned railway line. While the forest has reclaimed the valley where mountain communities once stood, the old rail bed provides a level path through the trees. It offers a peaceful change of scenery and a welcome opportunity to stride out and stretch our legs after the rugged trails of the Daisetsuzan mountains.

The day concludes back at Nukabira Onsen, where we return to our base for another restorative soak in the hot springs and a final evening meal with our hosts.

After a relaxed morning, we travel to Lake Akan, a beautiful caldera lake situated within the Akan-Mashu National Park. The rest of the day is yours to explore this scenic area at your own pace.

We highly recommend visiting the Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, where local Ainu families and artisans showcase their heritage in workshops and galleries along the street. For those who wish to stretch their legs, gentle forest trails lead from the visitor centre to bokke – bubbling mud pools that demonstrate the region’s volcanic power.

We head to Mt. Meakan (1499m), an active volcano central to Ainu folklore as a fiery female spirit. Our loop hike traverses ancient conifer forests and rocky alpine slopes where the resilient Meakan-fusuma sandwort blooms. At the summit, the earth’s power is on full display with hissing steam vents and a striking blue lagoon. The trail then descends through old-growth forest to Lake Onneto.

Because Mt. Meakan is a living volcano, she can be volatile. If activity increases, we instead climb her "husband," Mt. Oakan (1370m). This 10.7km route ascends 1144m through lush primaeval forest to a summit towering over Lake Akan.

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

We begin with an easy morning hike up Mt. Mokoto (1000m), perched on the rim of Kussharo Caldera. The 4.1km 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 2.3km 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.

We begin our day with a steady climb through the forest, eventually reaching Gaman-zaka – aptly named "endurance hill". This steep section brings us above the treeline, where we are rewarded with expansive panoramas of the surrounding landscape.

Our route takes us over the peak of Mt. Risuke for our first glimpse of Lake Mashu, followed by a traverse along a scenic ridgeline to Mt. Nishibetsu. From this vantage point, we can admire the dramatic, steep cliffs of the caldera. We then branch off for the final climb to the summit of Mt. Mashu (857m), where we enjoy lunch overlooking the sapphire waters of the caldera lake.

For the remainder of the hike return to the rolling terrain of the rim, following a newly established section of the Hokkaido East Trail. After finishing our hike at a quiet viewpoint, we drive to the coast to stay at a 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!