The red leaves and snowy white landscapes are absolutely stunning—just take a cable car to reach the summit of Asahidake, Hokkaido’s highest peak.

▲ Asahidake is located in the northernmost mountain range of Hokkaido, making it one of the best places in all of Japan for the longest snow season, earliest autumn foliage, and earliest first snowfall.

Asahidake (あさひだけ) is a volcano situated in Higashikawa Town, Kamikawa District, Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the main peak of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range and the highest peak in Hokkaido, standing at 2,290 meters above sea level. The Asahidake, Hokkaido’s tallest mountain and part of the Daisetsuzan range, rises 2,290 meters. This was the reporter’s first trip to Hokkaido, and the goal was simple—to witness the vibrant red leaves of Asahidake. After more than an hour’s drive, as they arrived at the ropeway ticket booth at the mountain’s base, something unexpected caught their eye. The mountaintop appeared to be covered in a faint blanket of white—could it be that their very first snowfall experience would happen today?

▲ In mid-October, when taking the cable car, you can still catch glimpses of some red leaves at the start, but as you get closer to the summit, the scenery gradually shifts to reveal snow-covered ground.

To reach the Asahidake observation deck, you can take a roughly 10-minute cable car ride from the Asahidake Foot Station at 1,100 meters up to the Sōmen Station halfway up the mountain. The cable car was packed with people, but the transparent glass offered excellent views. As it slowly ascended toward the observation deck, the scenery transformed—from patches of red foliage to snow-draped mountains and trees.

▲ The cable car’s transparent windows allow for unobstructed views of the changing landscape outside, and enjoying those 10 minutes of shifting scenery is truly a delight.

After stepping out of the cable car and pulling their collar up against the chill, they felt a slight breeze—the temperature was only 3°C (37°F)! Fortunately, they were dressed warmly in a heavy coat, sweater, thermal layers, and a scarf, though their ears were a bit cold, the chill was manageable.

▲ Staff provide explanations about the trails and related information at Asahidake.

Inside the building, they listened to a guide’s explanation before changing into waterproof boots and heading out toward the trail. Just outside, a few visitors were posing for photos with Asahidake in the background. Continuing along, a roughly 10-minute walk leads to the First Observation Deck, where there’s a great photo spot next to the wooden sign that reads “Daisetsuzan National Park — Show Peak 2291m Asahidake.” Here, you can capture the majestic Asahidake rising right behind you.

▲ It takes just over 10 minutes to reach the First Observation Deck, and the view from here is truly captivating.

Within the nature-rich Daisetsuzan National Park, lucky visitors might even spot wildlife such as foxes, snow hares, bears, and squirrels that live in the area. They happened to meet Taiwanese people who were working or vacationing at the Asahidake ropeway and who proudly showed them photos taken the previous week. In the images, an adorable wild fox sat quietly on the grass, staring straight into the camera, captured in full from head to toe—utterly adorable.

▲ There are plenty of small animals on Asahidake, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of their charming presence.

▲ The reflection of Asahidake in the lake is especially picturesque.

Asahidake features a well-developed hiking trail. The 1.7-kilometer loop takes about an hour to complete and includes five observation decks along the way. The path passes two major attractions: Meotoike (Couple’s Ponds) and Sōmenike (Reflection Pond), where the reflection of Asahidake on the water creates a dreamlike scene. Additionally, hikers can take a mountain path near Sōmenike and climb to the summit in about 1.5 to 2 hours. For those looking to challenge themselves with Hokkaido’s highest peak, this is a great option to try.

The scenery you see while taking the cable car to Asahidake changes with the seasons. In summer, you can enjoy flowers; in autumn, the red foliage; and in winter, the snow—all equally enchanting. Most passengers tend to stake out spots at the very front of the cable car to enjoy the changing views as the altitude increases. On the way up, don’t forget to look back too—you’ll get a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the mountains below, offering a unique perspective.

The Four Seasons of Asahidake

Transportation: Take the JR Asahikawa-bound Asahidake Idemari Bus (three round-trips per day).