Page 321 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

the park was esta blished in while fall colors are at their
1934. Asahikawa to the best in late August and
northwest or Obihiro to the September. En route, you may
Did You Know? south make the best starting see bears and pika (a rodent),
points for visiting the park, as well as rubythroats and
Sapporo, established in with easy car access by routes nutcrackers in the trees,
1857 with a population 39 and 273. Buses connect among other species.
of just seven, is Japan’s the major onsen resorts of An excellent route for
newest city. Sounkyo, Asahi-dake, and the fit day-hiker starts from
Tenninkyo. The plunging Sounkyo onsen. From there
Sounkyo Gorge, with the take the rope way and cable
cascading Ryusei and Ginga car, then hike south west over
Sapporo Art Park waterfalls, is best explored by Mount Kuro-dake, continuing
⌂ 2-75 Geijutsunomori bicycle or on foot. The rope- along well-marked trails to
# 9:45am–5pm daily way at Sounkyo and the cable Mount Asahi. From the top,
¢ Nov 4–Apr 28: Mon car at Asahi-dake tend to be descend via the cable car to
packed but offer quick access; Asahi-dake onsen. It should
Historical Village away from the top stations take around seven hours.
of Hokkaido people become scarcer and Located 30 miles (50 km)
" ⌂ 50-1 Konopporo the views more spectacular. West of the park, near the
# 9am–4:30pm daily ¢ Oct– In Ainu legend the peaks of pretty town of Biei, the Blue
Apr: Mon ∑ kaitaku.or.jp the Daisetsu mountains are Pond is an unbelievable color.
the dwelling places of benev-
olent but powerful god-spirits
6 who, in human form, helped in
times of need. A network of
Daisetsu-zan trails across these mountains
National Park provides everything from day DRINK
大雪山国立公園 hikes to week-long tramps,
and it is worth taking the time Bow Bar Sapporo
! B2 ⌂ 112 miles (180 km)
NE of Sapporo k Okadama to hike or go by cable car up For whisky aficionados,
and Asahikawa £ Obihiro from the low access roads Bow Bar is a must-go
to the higher levels for the
and Asahikawa Stns breathtaking views. The spot when in Sapporo.
n Sounkyo, Kamikawa- Their selection of
cho; (01658) 9-4400 dramatic, conical, steam- rare whiskies is
venting peak of Mount Asahi unparalleled.
At 890 sq miles (2,310 sq km), (or Asahi-dake), Hokkaido’s ! A2 ⌂ Hoshi Building
Daisetsu-zan is Japan’s largest highest at 7,500 ft (2,290 m), 8F, 2-7-5 Minami Jonishi,
national park. A huge raised offers an uplifting panorama Chuo-Ku ,Sapporo,
plateau ringed with peaks, across the high plateau. June Hokkaido 064-0804
right in the center of Hokkaido, and July bring alpine flowers, # 7pm–2am
∑ thebowbar-
sapporo.com
Bar Yamazaki
This iconic Sapporo
bar was managed for
more than 50 years
by the legendary
bartender Ichiro
Yamazaki. His
apprentices still
serve cocktails
in Yamazaki’s sig-
nature style.
! A2 ⌂ 3-3 Minami
Jonishi, Chuo-Ku,
Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-
0063 # 6pm–2am
∑ bar-yamazaki.com
Trekking in the mountains of Japan’s
largest national park, Daisetsu-zan
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