Asahikawa Travel Guide, Japan

Asahikawa, Japan – Overview: City Known for Ramen Noodles

Officially founded in 1922, the city of Asahikawa is the second largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. It is this city’s regional specialty, the Ramen Noodles, which have now become popular around the world and add glory to its name.

The City of Rivers

One of the outstanding features of this city that makes it unique in comparison to several others of its caliber is the fact that it is home to over 130 rivers or streams and has over 740 bridges around the city. One among its many bridges is the Asahibashi, which runs over the Ishikari River and was registered as a Hokkaidō Heritage site in October 2001.

Climate

Known as Japan’s coldest city, Asahikawa has recorded unbelievably low temperatures with a record temperature of -41°C in the past. However, such low temperatures are recorded only during winters and the rest of the year is not so bad, alternating between cool to pleasant climatic conditions.

Cuisines

There is a multitude of cuisines to choose from when visiting a lively town like Asahikawa. While its ramen noodles have achieved international fame, a highly recommended destination is the Asahikawa Ramen Village that houses eight of the best ramen outlets in the town.

Along with an array of ethnic restaurants, there are various seafoods, fruits, meats and dairy products available as alternatives in this town. All visitors must make it a point to taste Asahikawa’s most popular drink, the local sake Otokoyama.

Reaching Asahikawa

The Asahikawa Airport connects this town to major domestic cities and towns and also to Seoul, South Korea. While there are various options to access this town by train, there is also the Chuo Bus Service that takes visitors from the Sapporo JR Station to Asahikawa within two hours.

Accommodation

Being Hokkaido’s second largest city, Asahikawa offers guests with an array of options when it comes to accommodation. Right from high-cost to medium range hotels, the city caters to visitor’s needs with rooms that are not just spacious and hygienic, but also have a charm of their own with a local touch of furniture and crafts. However, finding low-budget accommodation in this city is quite a task and as such, visitors can opt for youth hostels, backpackers or B&B accommodations that are available on the outskirts of the city.

The city of Asahikawa has a wealth of natural beauty and always successfully left tourists with a crave to come back for more. For all those who have an adventurous side along with an eye for natural beauty, this city is a must visit!

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