| From Tokyo: | 3 hr |
| From Sapporo: | 3.5 hr |
| From Asahikawa: | 1.5-2 hr |
How to Get There
Daisetsuzan National Park in central Hokkaido has volcanic mountain ranges, vivid autumn colors, hot-spring towns and diverse wildlife. Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people call the Daisetsuzan mountain range the “playground of the gods.” Public transportation links many areas of the park, but service is infrequent. To fully explore the park's many attractions, stay in nearby Sounkyo Onsen or Asahidake Onsen and rent a car.
From Tokyo
Flights to Hokkaido's Asahikawa Airport operate from both Haneda Airport and Narita Airport (90 min). Once you’ve arrived, rent a car from one of the companies near the airport. If you prefer public transportation, take the shuttle bus (35 min) to Asahikawa Station, which serves as a transportation hub to many areas of the park. Some buses also run directly to popular spots in the park. The bus company Asahikawa Denkikidou runs buses from Asahikawa Station to Asahidake Onsen (90 min).
From Sapporo
Asahikawa Station is a 90-minute train ride from Sapporo Station aboard the Lilac or Kamui limited express train.
From Asahikawa
Buses depart from Asahikawa Station to many areas of the park, though service is infrequent. The picturesque Asahidake Onsen is 100 minutes away by Asahikawa Denkikidou bus. The charming hot-spring town of Sounkyo is a two-hour bus ride from Asahikawa Station via Dohoku Bus. Some smaller hot-spring towns, including Daisetsu Kogen Onsen and Tenninkyo Onsen, can't be accessed by public transportation, but accommodation facilities in the towns operate their shuttles to hubs such as Asahikawa and Sounkyo.
Getting Around
A car is the best option to explore the park, but public transportation is available from Sounkyo Onsen. The Kurodake Ropeway, a cable car that departs from the town center and connects to a chair lift, provides access to numerous hiking trails in the Daisetsuzan mountain range. The closest peak to the top of the Kurodake Ropeway is Mount Kurodake. A bus from Sounkyo Onsen connects to the Ginsendai Trail, leading to the peak of Mount Akadake, a popular hike in autumn. Buses to areas popular for their autumn colors run more often during the high season, but even then, service is still relatively infrequent. Renting a car provides easier access to most areas of the park but note that cars are prohibited on many park roads during the peak foliage-viewing period (mid-September) due to congestion.