Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group Mountains

Admission: Free to access (Daisetsuzan National Park - no park entrance fee)

The Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group is a cluster of volcanic peaks in central Hokkaido and forms the heart of Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park in Japan.

Mount Asahi (Asahidake), at 2,291 metres, is the region’s highest peak and a major attraction for hikers, skiers and nature observers; an aerial ropeway on Asahidake provides quick access to high alpine terrain. The group’s volcanic plateaus, hot springs and high-elevation plant communities draw visitors for day hikes, multi-day treks and winter backcountry skiing.

Volcanic activity in the group has shaped the landscape through the Holocene; over the modern period the area has become a protected park with infrastructure to support tourism and conservation.

The volcanic group occupies central Hokkaido and is accessible from towns on the island’s interior and from roadside entries into Daisetsuzan National Park.

• National park: Daisetsuzan forms the core of Japan’s largest national park and is renowned for alpine flora, hot springs and year-round mountain recreation.

What to See#

• Mount Asahi (Asahidake): Mount Asahi (Asahidake) at 2,291 metres is the highest peak in Hokkaido and the central volcano of the group, accessible by a ropeway that shortens the climb.
• Kurodake and ridges: Kurodake and surrounding ridges provide popular day-hiking and backcountry skiing routes with alpine vegetation and volcanic landscapes.

The Daisetsuzan volcanic group lies in central Hokkaido within Daisetsuzan National Park. The common gateways are Asahikawa (major city) and the townships at Sounkyo and Asahidake: take JR to Asahikawa Station then catch regional buses bound for Sounkyo Onsen or Asahidake Onsen (bus services from Asahikawa take roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on route). From those onsen villages there are lifts, ropeways and trailheads that provide access into the volcanic peaks and hiking routes.

• Use the Asahidake ropeway (Asahidake Onsen area) as your main access for the Daisetsuzan volcanic group-taking the ropeway early gives you quick altitude gain and quieter alpine trails.
• Visit in late July-September for stable high‑alpine conditions and the best wildflower displays; autumn brings spectacular foliage but can be cold and snowy at higher elevations.
• Combine hikes with a soak in local onsen (Sounkyo or Asahidake) after trekking-many day visitors hike the peaks but skip the nearby hot springs and valley scenery.