Asahikawa/Sounkyo/Kamikawa Even Better in Winter! Tourist Hotspots in the Asahikawa & Sounkyo Area

Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo is the northernmost zoo in Japan. They gained attention as the first zoo in Japan to develop exhibition spaces designed to showcase the animals' natural behavior. Relishing in the energetic demeanor of animals that live in cold regions—like penguins and polar bears—is an exclusive winter thrill.

The winter highlight of the Asahiyama Zoo is undoubtedly the Penguin Parade. The purpose of the march is to mitigate their lack of exercise. It is held every year starting from the end of December until the thaw season. The penguins spend 30–40 minutes marching from the Penguin House to the Event Hall, a distance of 250 meters one-way. The popular Penguin Parade is actually a voluntary activity for the penguins. Don’t miss the adorable scene of this activity that only penguins that feel like it participate in.

One of the delights of the Asahiyama Zoo is the polar bear’s diving. The water level of the aquarium for the polar bear—which is said to be the largest land carnivore—is configured so that observing tourists look like seals peeking out of ice to the bear. The breathtaking dive takes place when its food is released into the water during the “Mogumogu (Feeding) Time.” During this, the polar bear will dive headfirst into the water to get the food in the water, so don’t miss the moment. The “Mogumogu Time” of other animals are also must-sees! You can find the schedule on the official website or the notice boards inside the zoo, so we recommend that you plan your zoo trip route by referencing the schedule.

The “Zoo Snow Lights” event allows you to enjoy the zoo at night during winter. It is held every year during the 2nd half of February, when the normal closing time of the zoo at 15:30 is extended to 20:30. Visitors are given a rare opportunity to observe the lives of the zoo animals at night instead of during the day. Ice candles are used to light up the pathways, creating a truly enchanting mood! This event is not to be missed if you intend on getting the full Asahiyama Zoo winter experience.

After getting your fill of Asahiyama Zoo, don’t forget to pick up some memorable souvenirs. There are numerous souvenirs that you can only get at Asahiyama Zoo. Popular Asahiyama Zoo-exclusive souvenirs include the “Milk Manju (Steamed cake filled with sweet paste)” that looks like an adorable animal footprint. The package is adorned by the polar bear, seal, and penguin. The Asahiyama handkerchief can also be purchased as a piece for interior decoration. The handkerchiefs that carry illustrations of the animals are hand-dyed by artisans and help bring back fresh memories of the zoo’s ambiance. In addition, the Asahiyama Zoo Capsule Series mystery egg also attracts much attention. There are plenty of souvenirs that will delight both children and adults!

This is a popular event held around the JR Asahikawa Station every year from mid-January to mid-February. An ice-skating rink is set up at the station’s north plaza, allowing people to enjoy full-scale ice skating in the central town area. At twilight, the illuminations are turned on, creating a magical atmosphere. As you may rent the skating shoes for free, you can try out ice skating for the first time unhesitatingly. Additionally, you can also hop on board the Snow Train, a joyride sled that connects the south plaza of the station with the Kitasaito Garden. The Snow Train is a lovable wooden sled towed along by a snowmobile. Other than being a convenient mode of transport for adults, kids also love it as it trudges through the snowfield slowly. With snowcapped mountains visible in the distance when it is clear, it will surely provide you with a wholesome Asahikawa winter experience.

The Sounkyo Icefall Festival is held at the Sounkyo Hot Spring Resort in Kamikawa town from the end of January to mid-March. It is one of the Top 3 Winter Festivals of Hokkaido. Structures and sculptures made out of ice according to the year’s theme line the area. At night, the exhibits are lit up in 7 different colors, creating a very romantic mood that is also recognized as one of Japan’s Nightscape Heritage. It is a festival made possible through the harmonious intermingling of impressive natural features and the harsh, cold winter.

The insides of the ice sculptures are hollowed-out tunnels, giving a sense of how massive they truly are. The icicles on the ceiling resemble chandeliers! They are ice art. At the end of the icy steps is a viewing platform, and the view from the 13-meter height is extraordinary! There is also an Icefall Shrine here that is made out of ice and said to bestow luck in romance and fortune. Other than that, there are various snowy region-only attractions like ice slides and ice climbing.

If you want to warm up your body after your icy adventure at the Sounkyo Icefall Festival, look no further than the Sounkyo Hot Spring Resort. The resort is one of Hokkaido’s leading hot spring resorts, perfect for relaxing and relieving your travel fatigue. Admiring the snowscape while enjoying the warm outdoor bath is the best part of winter travels! After a leisurely hot spring bath, you may savor the food made with the abundant fresh produce of the north.