For those who enjoy hiking, catch the bus from Kamifurano, a rural town on the train line between Asahikawa and Furano, to Ryounkaku Inn. If any members of your group are not keen walkers, they might wait here and enjoy a meal and a relaxing outdoor onsen until the adventurers return.
Setting off from Ryounkaku for an adventure in the Tokachi mountains.
From Ryounkaku, you will see the walk’s starting point and a conspicuous wooden box. Inside there is a hiker’s register where walkers list their details and intended return time. This walk is a gentle up-and-back trip so you are unlikely to get lost but always be cautious in the mountains.
Signing the walker’s register at the start of the Tokachi walk
Dress comfortably, wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and have all-weather clothing options in your bag. The most important piece of equipment to carry is a bear bell to usher the Hokkaido brown bears off your path. While they do not hunt humans, it is wise not to startle this relative of the Grizzly.
This bear sign near Daisetsuzan National Park is updated after every reported sighting.
When you have walked about two kilometres, or thirty minutes, enjoying the alpine wildflowers and the weather conditions of the day, you will hear trickling water and smell sulphur from the volcanic fumaroles ahead.
This trickling source smells of sulphur due to the volcanic fumaroles in the region
The path then crosses the stream transporting you from the pale volcanic stone faces to a world of lush green mountain ridges. Here the path is firmer under foot, which is helpful, but it is steeper in places and there are boulders over which you must climb.
Crossing to the green ridges and leaving the volcanic rock faces behind
You can turn back at any time, but if you walk a total of about three hours at a gentle pace, you will summit Furano Dake and take in the views across the valley to the Furano ski resort in the beautiful Yubari mountain range.
Whether you do a ten-minute stroll or a more ambitious mountain summit, walking in the Tokachi mountains will create memories of a lifetime. This walk is most popular in July and August but it is also enjoyable in winter wearing snowshoes, which are available at Ryounkaku.
Delicate alpine wildflowers of Daisetsuzan National Park
Information
Ryounkaku
Address: Tokachidake Onsen, Kami-furano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido, 071-0579
Email (English acceptable): [email protected]
Phone (Japanese only): 0167-39-4111
Website (Japanese only): http://ryounkakuonsen.wix.com/ryounkaku
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Tvu3sbsEtNU2
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