Written by: Nareswari Putri Sulisvianthi

Discover Tranquil Hokkaido: Hidden Gems for Family and Introverts

When you hear “Hokkaido,” places like Sapporo and Otaru might come to mind. However, Hokkaido offers much more, especially in its stunning natural rural areas.

Not many people like big cities, yet they want to travel to more quiet places, and the information is somehow limited.

As an introvert myself, I tend to search for quiet places, because most of the time these places are the ones that truly vibe with me. After all, the purpose of introvert holiday is to find peace and tranquility

Here is the list of spots for us Introvert people! It is mostly unpopular with international tourists and only locals know.

Arashiyama Observation Deck

Located between Asahikawa city and the neighboring town Takasu-cho, Arashiyama Observation Deck (Google Maps) perfectly hidden wonder has a few interesting points to it. You can see Asahikawa City from the observation decks at the top of the mountain (yes, Arashiyama is a small mountain).

The deck overlooks Asahikawa City

Not far from that you can go for the light trekking course to the nearby Ainu Cultural Forest “Denshou no Kotan” (Google Maps) which preserves Ainu’s culture and The Garden of Northern Wild Plants “Hoppo Yasoen” (Google Maps) in the Arashiyama Park Asahikawa with a collection of native species and other northern plants.

Since this is part of the Hokkaido wild protection area, the forest remains in its natural form with diverse plants (and animals). Occasionally you will encounter snakes, bugs, and birds. Perfect for nature/outdoor lovers.

Bring bug repellent and snacks if you plan to go around the forest

The best time to visit

Late May to October

Kamuy Kotan

One of the Sacred places for the Ainu tribe, is where “Kamuy” means “God” and “Kotan” means “village”. This comes from the story of the Ainu tribe where the demon Nitre Kamuy was struck down by the blade of the God Samaykur and turned to stone for attacking the Ainu of Kamikawa (Kamikawa is a regional area that includes Asahikawa) in the area.

Despite what the legend says, personally, this is a healing spot for me. Especially during Autumn Foliage, the forest part turns red and yellow making it pleasant to the eyes. There is also an old Kamuy Kotan train station building and an old steamed train as a remnant from the past.


The best time to visit:

Each season has a different atmosphere, but I recommend visiting in autumn (around October).

Asahidake Gensui Trail Walk

Though Mt. Asahidake is the favorite place for an outing, it is full of outdoor enthusiasts in summer.

HOWEVER….

Inside Daisetsuzan National Park, there is one hidden gem for enjoying spring water and a short trail walk which I highly recommend. I have been visiting 3 to 4 times to get fresh spring water that flows directly from Asahidake. Its tranquil nature is extremely healing.

At one time, I took my parents for a short walk there. The wooden path is elder-friendly (flat and feasible for wheelchair) and we met some bird watchers along the way. Turned out this is also a perfect spot to capture rare Hokkaido bird photos.

Make sure to bring A LOT of empty containers to refill the spring water, or drink straight from the spring. The water is pure and can rejuvenate your body. You have to pay a 400 yen donation per vehicle (which is no problem at all!). Plus you can enjoy the lush scenery of greens and the river flowing from Asahidake.

The best time to visit

Spring to Autumn.

Tips

Wear a jacket because it is cool even in summer (the path is mostly under tree shades)

See Also

Exploring Halal Delights in Asahikawa: A Muslim Traveler’s Guide