Hotels in Higashikawa

Higashikawa: Photography Town at the Edge of Daisetsuzan

Higashikawa sits 20 km east of Asahikawa in central Hokkaido, Japan, at the base of the Daisetsuzan National Park — the country's largest national park at 2,267 km². The town gained formal recognition as Japan's first designated "Photography Town" in 1985, a title that draws artists, landscape shooters, and slow-travel visitors throughout the year. The Higashikawa Photography Festival, held each August since 1985, brings curated exhibitions and international prize ceremonies to this rural community of roughly 8,000 residents.

Where to Stay

Accommodation options include small ryokan along the Chubetsu River corridor and guesthouse-style properties near the Higashikawa Ski Hill. The town itself has no train station — access runs via bus from Asahikawa Station (approximately 40 minutes) or by car along Route 37. Winter guests arrive for powder skiing on Asahidake, the highest peak in Hokkaido at 2,291 m, while summer draws hikers and wildflower trekkers into the alpine zone.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Rent a car from Asahikawa Airport (15 km west) for flexible access to trailheads.
• Best season: July–August for alpine flowers; January–February for dry powder snow.
• Water: Higashikawa's tap water is drawn from natural groundwater — no municipal treatment plant is used, which is unusual in Japan.
• Language: English signage is limited outside main trailheads; carry a translation app.