Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video, nice to meet you!
We are the Higashikawa Tourism Association.
We will share attractive tourism information about Higashikawa-cho in Hokkaido, home to Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan’s largest national park, on Cool Japan Video, so please look forward to it!

Higashikawa-cho sits in central Hokkaido and overflows with natural blessings.
It enjoys excellent access, about a 10-minute drive from Asahikawa Airport to the town center.

Uniquely for Japan, Higashikawa-cho does not have a public water supply system.
Beautiful natural water formed by Daisetsuzan’s snowmelt seeping deep into the ground serves as the town’s domestic water and is used in many places, including restaurants.
Agriculture benefits from these abundant water resources, producing delicious rice and vegetables with exceptional flavor.

One of Higashikawa-cho’s charms is its proud hot springs.
Higashikawa-cho has two hot spring areas, Asahidake Onsen and Tenninkyo Onsen, both located within Daisetsuzan National Park.

Around Asahidake Onsen there is no typical hot-spring town; the landscape is carefully managed with height limits and spacing regulations.
Day-trip bathing is available, so please stop by during mountain climbs or hikes.
You can luxuriate in the hot spring while soaking in the natural scenery.

Tenninkyo Onsen is also popular for its reputed benefits for diabetes and arteriosclerosis.
Two hot-spring facilities operate there, and as of June 2023 both lodging and day-trip bathing are available.
Nearby you can enjoy Hagoromo Falls, selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls.

Beyond hot springs, Higashikawa-cho offers many attractive spots where you can feel nature’s breath.

- Asahidake Visitor Center
Opened in 2019, Asahidake Visitor Center provides information on the nature of Daisetsuzan National Park and guided tours.
You can view a diorama of the spectacular viewpoints for mountain climbing.
Seasonal exhibits, AR displays, and VR goggles allow a virtual experience of the Daisetsuzan mountains.

- Daisetsu Asahidake Gensui Park
This park is the source of Higashikawa-cho’s natural water, rich in calcium and minerals.
You can freely collect spring water that Daisetsuzan’s snowmelt naturally filtered over centuries.

- Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway
The roughly 10-minute aerial ride from the Daisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway Sanroku Station at 1,100 meters to Sugatami Station at 1,600 meters offers grand panoramic views and seasonal scenery.
From the ropeway, beginners can enjoy a trekking course of about one hour.
The hike to Asahidake’s summit takes about two hours from here, and the peak rewards you with a 360-degree panorama including the Tokachi Mountain Range, MtAshibetsu, and Mt. Shokanbetsu.

- Canmore Ski Village (Kitoushi Forest Park)
This ski area is inside Kitoushi Forest Park, a 15-minute drive from Asahikawa Airport.
With six courses, it caters to beginners through advanced skiers and is popular with many international visitors.
Kitoushi Forest Park also has a campsite and cottages, so overnight stays are possible.

- Lake Chubetsu
At the foot of Daisetsuzan National Park, Lake Chubetsu offers canoeing experiences.
You can enjoy seasonal vistas from fresh greenery to autumn colors and snow-capped scenes.
Local guides support participants, so even first-timers can join with confidence.

Higashikawa-cho’s population is about 8,400 people (as of June 2023).
Thanks to strong child-rearing support and convenient access from the airport, the town has seen an increase in residents in recent years.
Its rich natural environment makes it an ideal place for a stress-free life.
The Higashikawa Town Immigration Experience lets people live here for three months up to one year.

The town operates a municipal Japanese language school, and around 600 foreign residents live here, with strong support for international students.

Higashikawa-cho is a place full of nature’s gifts.
Aiming to be a photograph-friendly town with beautiful seasonal nature, it has declared itself the Photo Town, the photography culture capital.
Higashikawa-cho offers abundant natural environments, hot springs, delicious food, and the warmth of local people.
We will continue to bring you plenty of charming information about Higashikawa-cho in Hokkaido, so thank you for your support.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan!
We are the Taiki Tourism Association.
On this account, we will share appealing information to make you want to visit Taiki Town in Hokkaido.
We look forward to connecting with you!

In this first post, we introduce Taiki Town and share tourist information.

Taiki Town, Hokkaido, lies in eastern Hokkaido in the southern Tokachi region. It is a town of 5,437 residents (as of January 2023), where the breath of nature meets historical charm.
The name "Taiki" comes from the Ainu word "Taikiushi," meaning a place where large trees grow in clusters.

Taiki Town is dotted with beautiful natural scenery and historic sites.
Next, we introduce some of Taiki’s attractive sightseeing spots.

● Space Exchange Center SORA
Since around 1985, Taiki has pursued "space town development" and hosted aerospace-related experiments.
Space Exchange Center SORA displays materials and models from experiments conducted in Taiki by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and rocket developer Interstellar Technologies, among others.
Admission is free and no reservation is required.

● Roadside Station Cosmos Mall Taiki
Roadside Station Cosmos Mall Taiki is a place to feel the charm of Taiki, offering local specialties and souvenirs.
At the specialty corner you can taste natural cheeses from Handa Farm and Cowbell Ice made with Taiki ingredients like corn and pumpkin.
The facility also features a space-food and space-goods shop and a shopping center stocked with daily necessities.
Nearby flows the Rekifune River, once chosen as Japan’s clearest stream.

Next, here is some leisure information!

◎ Horokayanto Smelt Fishing
Smelt fishing on Horokayanto opens around the end of December and runs through late February, offering a winter fishing experience.
Bansei Onsen sits close to Horokayanto, making it ideal for warming up after a chilly day of smelt fishing.

◎ Kamui Kotan Park Campground
Kamui Kotan Park Campground, on the scenic Kamui Kotan in Tokachi, is a recommended spot for outdoor lovers.
This auto campground is surrounded by rich nature.
Visitors can enjoy river play, fishing, forest walks, and even gold panning.
(If you wish to try gold panning, please register with the tourism association in advance.)

Taiki’s events are not to be missed.

◎ Rekibune River Clear Stream Carp Streamer
This mini event takes place on May 5, Children’s Day.
Each year from late April to early May, carp streamers spread across the river’s width, fluttering in the breeze as a springtime tradition.

◎ Rekifune River Festival
The Rekifune River also hosts the Rekifune River Festival and the Perupune Fire Festival in August.
The Rekifune River Festival began in 1989 as Taiki’s major summer event after the river was recognized by the Environment Agency as Japan’s cleanest river.
The festival culminates with the Perupune Fire Festival and a fireworks display.
Towering flaming torch pillars reaching toward the sky are a sight to behold.
It’s a luxurious way to enjoy a summer night.

Next, here is Taiki’s gourmet information!
Taiki’s cuisine offers a rich variety, from local specialties like Camembert cheese, autumn salmon, and whey-fed pork to fresh seafood dishes and vegetable dishes that celebrate the bounty of the land.

A popular local dish is the Taiki Cheese Salmon Bowl, made with cheese and autumn salmon.
Savor dishes that make generous use of local ingredients and enjoy the unique flavors of Taiki, Hokkaido.

Taiki’s hometown tax program offers fresh seafood and carefully prepared processed goods as gifts.
Popular returns include "Rich Fresh Milk Cowbell Ice Cream," "Handa Farm Homemade Cheese Set," and a whey-fed pork bowl set.
Enjoy Taiki’s distinctive tastes through the hometown tax program.

For access to Taiki from outside Hokkaido, use Tokachi Obihiro Airport.
By car, Taiki is about 40 minutes from Tokachi Obihiro Airport; by bus it is about 70 minutes.
From Sapporo, the fastest train route takes about 2.5 hours from Sapporo Station to Obihiro Station, and buses take about 3.5 hours. From Obihiro Station, buses reach Taiki in about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Although Taiki faces the sea, the area experiences large temperature variations. Summer’s average temperature is around 20°C, with highs up to about 34°C, while winter temperatures can drop to minus 20°C.
Because winter temperatures can change rapidly in a short time, please take care with your clothing when traveling.

Please come and experience the charms of Taiki Town in Hokkaido for yourself.
We will continue sharing Taiki’s attractions, so thank you for your support!