Hotels in Kamikawa

Kamikawa: Gateway to Daisetsuzan's Alpine Core

Kamikawa is a small town in central Hokkaido, Japan, sitting at the northern edge of Daisetsuzan National Park — the country's largest national park at 2,267 km². The Ishikari River originates within the park's volcanic highlands above the town, and the Sounkyo Gorge cuts south from Kamikawa through 24 km of basalt columns and twin waterfalls, Ryusei and Ginga. Hikers use Kamikawa as a staging point for ascents of Mount Asahidake (2,291 m) and Mount Kurodake, both reachable via the Sounkyo Ropeway.

Where to Stay

Accommodation clusters in two zones: central Kamikawa town and the Sounkyo Onsen resort strip 30 km south along Route 39. Sounkyo Onsen holds most ryokan and hotel properties, fed by hot springs drawing from volcanic fissures beneath the gorge walls. Winter visitors arrive for the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, held each February since 1985.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Kamikawa Station is on the JR Sekihoku Main Line; limited express Okhotsk services connect to Sapporo in roughly 2.5 hours.
• Season: Alpine trails open mid-June; first autumn foliage typically appears late September.
• Base camp: Book Sounkyo Onsen lodging well ahead for the October peak-colour weekend.
• Temperature: Pack insulated layers even in July — summit temperatures average 5–8 °C.