Asahikawa might not be as well-known as Sapporo, but it’s an incredible winter destination with its quiet charm, lots of snow, and friendly locals. It’s also the coldest city in Japan!
I visited in January 2025, and here’s everything I experienced—from food to transport and snow removal.
Before my trip I had actually planned on skipping Asahikawa. I just wasn’t sure what it had to offer that was better than other, more popular places like Sapporo and Biei. The only reason I ended up there was because my husband had to fly out of the Asahikawa airport….but I ended up liking it way more than I thought I would.
I originally only planned on staying in Asahikawa for a few days but ended up being there for over a week because I got sick! Not ideal as I feel like you really only need a day or two here before moving on to your next destination – it’s a small town.
Why visit Asahikawa in the Winter? Lots of Snow, Fewer Crowds
Smaller town feel but still a lot to do – It’s much quieter and has far fewer tourists, which I really appreciated. If you’re looking for a more local and laid-back experience, this is a great place to visit.
Cheap! – In Asahikawa I paid $45 a night for my accommodation right in the city center. Accommodations in Biei and Furano are going to be pricey in the winter. For example – in mid January I paid $175 per night in Biei and $140 per night in Furano. If you are trying to save money it would definitely be cheaper to stay in Asahikawa and drive to Biei and Furano for a couple day trips. Food prices were about the same everywhere I went – Sapporo, Biei, Furano and Osaka.
The snow! – Asahikawa gets slightly snow than Sapporo, making it a true winter wonderland. My favorite thing to do was walk around the city center and take pictures in the snow! I think the reason for this is that Asahikawa is colder than Sapporo. When I visited Sapporo in mid-January, the temperature actually went above freezing, and it rained! I was honestly so bummed since I went there for the snow! But if I was in Asahiwaka during the same time that rain would have been snow.
Good Starting Point for other trips – Asahikawa is perfectly located if you want to visit Biei or Furano for the day. The drive to Biei is only 30 minutes, another, even smaller town (9,000 people) I highly recommend visiting.
So much snow!! I was in heaven.
Getting Around Asahikawa
Despite what I had read before visiting, I found it easy to get around without a car. The city center is small, and most hotels are within walking distance of Asahikawa Station. I stayed at this hotel which was only a 6 minute walk to the station. I walked mostly everywhere.
For places further out like the airport or the Asahiyama Zoo you can easily get a taxi through the Go App. It works exactly like Uber works in the US. You pay in the app so you don’t ever have to worry about cash payments etc.
Download the Go App – The only public transport I used was taxis, which were very convenient. The going rate when I visited was about $1 per minute. A six-minute taxi ride cost $6, and when my husband took a taxi to the airport, the 30-minute ride cost $30.
- Taxi App – The best way to call a taxi is through the Go app, which works just like Uber in the U.S. Every time I used it, a taxi was available within two minutes.
Food in Asahikawa
I am by no means a foodie—mainly because of my many food allergies—but I did find some great places with gluten-free and dairy-free options. Also, I don’t like to spend a lot of money on food when I travel, and eating out in Asahikawa was surprisingly cheap.
Everywhere I ate was within walking distance to my hotel.
- Vietnamese Restaurant – The bowl of beef pho was 1,100 yen ($6.97). Cash only.
- Indian Restaurant – This restaurant was a 3 minute walk from my hotel and I ate here so many times. The food was good but it was just so convenient being so close to my hotel. Accepted cash and card.
- Convenience Stores – My rice and chicken dinner from 7-Eleven was only 397 yen ($2.50), and they even heat it up for you. The chicken sausage stick from Lawson was another cheap and tasty snack.
- Shabu-shabu Benkei – A more traditional but modern restaurant with all-you-can-eat fresh ingredients and dipping sauces. Highly recommend checking it out.
Where to Stay in Asahikawa
One thing to note when booking a hotel in Hokkaido is that many places offer both smoking and non-smoking rooms. The smoking rooms are almost always cheaper and more available, while the non-smoking rooms book up faster.
- We booked a non-smoking room with two twin beds for $84 per night around New Year’s. After the holiday, I switched to a single room and paid only $45 per night! Most hotels are within walking distance of the train station, making it easy to explore the city.
What to Do in Asahikawa
Even though it’s a smaller city, there’s plenty to do in and around Asahikawa:
- Penguin Walk – The most famous winter attraction at Asahiyama Zoo. I skipped this because it honestly just didn’t interest me, but people love it!
- Heiwa Dōri Shopping Street – A landmark pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants.
- Sounkyo Onsen Town – An hour away by bus, this is a perfect day trip for hot springs and winter scenery.
- Day Trip to Biei & Furano – Biei is a 30-minute drive away, and Furano is just over an hour, making them great day trips.
- Asahikawa’s Yokocho – Cozy alleyway bars serving delicious local drinks.
- Asahikawa Machiakari Illumination – From late November to early March, the city lights up with 210,000 bulbs.
Here are some interesting things I learned about Asahikawa while there
Blue Hour is Beautiful
I was there in January so the sun was setting fairly early. But just after sunset you get this awesome blue hour that lasts a little while. The sky looked so blue! Photo below taken at 4:48pm Jan 12th.
Weather Changes Rapidly
The weather changes so fast and you definitely can not rely on your weather app to let you know what to expect that day.
These two photos were taken minutes apart from my hotel room.
Snow Removal in Asahikawa
I love seeing how different countries deal with their climates, and Asahikawa’s snow removal process was fascinating.
- The roofs here are built to withstand 5-6 feet of snow before needing to be cleared.
- Newer homes have steep, self-shedding roofs to prevent accumulation.
- Some homes have heated drainage systems, but most older houses still require manual snow removal.
- Snow is collected by massive dump trucks and even shoveled into sewers in some areas.
The locals ride bikes on the ice
I honestly couldn’t believe this one. A lot of the locals are elderly and they are on bikes in the middle of winter.
Gas Pumps from Above
Asahikawa vs. Sapporo – Which One Should You Visit?
If you are only going to visit one I definitely recommend visiting Sapporo. Its also just hard to compare a city of 300,000 people vs a city of 2 million people.
Asahikawa offers a quieter, more local experience compared to Sapporo. If you enjoy winter landscapes, great food at affordable prices, and fewer crowds, Asahikawa is a fantastic destination. However, if you’re looking for a bustling city with endless entertainment, Sapporo is for sure the better choice.
| Factor | Asahikawa | Sapporo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 300,000 people (smaller, quieter) | 2 million people (larger, more lively) |
| Tourism | Fewer tourists | More tourist attractions |
| Weather | Colder, more snow | Warmer, less snow |
| Cost | More affordable (hotels, food) | More expensive |
| Vibe | Laid-back, traditional | Lively, urban |
| Shopping | Limited options | Better shopping and entertainment |
Asahikawa might not be as famous as Sapporo, but it has so much to offer. It’s more affordable, gets tons of snow, and has a much quieter and more local feel. Whether you’re interested in snow-covered streets, hot springs, or just a unique winter experience, Asahikawa is a great destination to visit in Hokkaido! I loved it.