Page 292 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Japan

290  JAP AN REGION B Y REGION

6 Rishiri-Rebun- Kafuka is its main port; the Tenninkyo. The plunging
Sarobetsu National fishing village of Funadomari Sounkyo Gorge, with the
Park is at the oppo site, north end cascading Ryusei and Ginga
of the island. There’s great hiking
Rishi-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park waterfalls, is best explored by
(some times hard-going),
bicycle or on foot. The rope way
k Wakkanai. £ Wakkanai stn. especially on the west coast; the at Sounkyo and the cable car at
g from Wakkanai to both islands. island’s youth hostel organizes Asahi-dake tend to be packed
guided walking groups. but offer quick access; away
Consisting of the Sarobetsu from the top stations people
coast of north Hokkaido and become scarcer and the views
the two islands of Rishiri and more spectacular.
Rebun, this park is within sight In Ainu legend the peaks of
of the Russian island of Sakhalin. the Daisetsu mountains are the
Although remote – at least a dwelling places of benevo lent
6-hour drive north of Sapporo – but powerful god-spirits who, in
the park is easily accessible human form, helped in times of
by plane or train. The coastal need. To hike among these
meadows in the Sarobetsu moun tains is certainly to feel
area and the shores of the among the gods. A network of
shallow lagoons in the coastal trails provides everything from
plain, are carpet ed with flowers day hikes to week-long tramps,
in summer, including yellow- Women cutting dried kelp at Kutsugata on and it is worth taking the time to
orange lilies, white cotton grass, Rishiri Island hike or go by cable car up from
white rho dodendrons, and the low access roads to the
purple irises. higher levels for the breathtaking
About 20 km (12 miles) 7 Daisetsu-zan views. The dramatic, conical,
offshore on the island of Rishiri, National Park steam-venting peak of Mount
the startling 1,720-m (5,650-ft) Daisetsuzan National Park
Asahi (or Asahi-dake), Hokkaido’s
high conical peak of Mount highest at 2,290 m (7,500 ft),
Rishiri (Rishiri-Fuji) appears to k Okadama and Asahikawa. offers an uplifting panorama
rise straight from the sea. A road £ Asahikawa and Obihiro stns. across the high plateau. June
runs around its coastline, making n Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho (01658) and July bring alpine flowers,
for scenic cycling and linking 9-4400. while fall colors are at their best
the various settlements including in late August and September.
Oshidomari, the main port, and At 2,310 sq km (890 sq miles), En route, you may see bears and
Kutsugata, the second port on Daisetsu-zan is Japan’s largest pika, as well as rubythroats and
the west side. Trails to the top of national park. A huge raised nut crackers among other species.
Mount Rishiri thread through a plateau ringed with peaks, right An excellent route for the fit
host of alpine summer flowers. in the center of Hokkaido, the day-hiker starts from Sounkyo
Those less inclined to hike may park was estab lished in 1934. onsen. From there take the rope-
choose to fish or simply relax Asahikawa to the northwest or way and cable car, then hike
and enjoy the excellent fresh Obihiro to the south make the south west over Mount Kuro-
fish at local restaurants. best starting points for visiting dake, continuing along well-
Rebun, Rishiri’s partner and the park, with easy car access marked trails to Mount Asahi.
Japan’s northernmost island, by routes 39 and 273. Buses From the top, descend via the
is lowly in comparison but is connect the major onsen resorts cable car to Asahi-dake onsen. It
renowned as the “isle of flowers.” of Sounkyo, Asahi-dake, and should take around 7 hours.

Snow-capped peaks in Daisetsu-zan National Park
For hotels and restaurants see p307 and pp338–9

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm