10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City

10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City

Asahikawa City (旭川市) is the second largest city in Hokkaido Prefecture. Its name came from the misinterpretation of the Ainu name for the Asahi River. The Ainu called it Chiu Pet, which means "River of Waves," but it was misinterpreted as Chup Pet, which means "Sun River," and therefore became known as Asahi River in Japanese.


For those planning to visit Asahikawa City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City:

Asahikawa Manhole Cover

1. Take a picture of Asahikawa’s unique manhole covers. So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole design, not counting the special Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover.

Asahikawa Roadside Station

2. Visit Asahikawa Roadside Station. You can buy souvenirs, eat authentic Asahikawa ramen, and also get the Asahikawa Roadside Station stamp for your stamp collection. As a bonus, you will also find the Asahikawa Pokémon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix, Cubchoo, and a pair of Eiscue outside the roadside station building.

Asahikawa Station

3. Explore Asahikawa Station. Don’t forget to visit the Asahikawa Tourist Information Center and ask for an itinerary or travel brochure before exploring the city (It’s free). There are also several stamps here, like the Asahikawa Station stamp and the Asahikawa City stamp. The station is connected to AEON Mall Asahikawa Eki, so you may want to shop for souvenirs or dine there too.

Asahikawa Heiwa Shopping Street

4. Walk along Asahikawa Heiwa Shopping Street. Check out the different shops and restaurants along the way. There are also numerous sculptures installed along the street which you could appreciate.

Kitasaito Garden

5. Go to Kitasaito Garden in spring and enjoy the scenery. You can also follow the walking path around the manmade lake until the Asahikawa Station. If you’re in the mood, you can order coffee and sit outside the Starbucks branch overlooking the manmade lake.

Asahikawa City Museum

6. Visit the Asahikawa City Museum and learn about the rich history of the city. The entrance fee is 350 yen per adult and 230 yen for students.

Tokiwa Park

7. Go for a stroll around Tokiwa Park. If you visit in summer, you can go boating at Chidorigaike Pond. It's also one of the best places to escape the summer heat. 

Asahikawa Shrine

8. Visit Asahikawa Shrine, which is one of the main shrines of the city. You can offer prayers and also get a goshuin for your goshuin collection. It is conveniently located inside Tokiwa Park, so you can get to visit two places in one go.

Asahikawa Winter Festival

9. Don’t miss the Asahikawa Winter Festival, Hokkaido’s second-largest winter celebration after the Sapporo Snow Festival. Held every February, this spectacular event transforms the city into a magical winter wonderland filled with massive snow and ice sculptures, colorful illuminations, and fun activities for all ages.

Asahiyama Zoo

10. Spend a full day at Asahiyama Zoo, one of Hokkaido’s most popular attractions, and take the time to admire the unique charm and behavior of each animal up close. Unlike typical zoos, Asahiyama is known for its innovative enclosures that let you observe animals in ways that feel more natural and interactive. One of the highlights is the seal aquarium, where you can watch seals gracefully swim through transparent vertical tubes — it’s mesmerizing and a favorite for both kids and adults! Don’t forget to visit the lesser panda exhibit — in my opinion, it’s the absolute cutest animal in the zoo, with its playful antics and endearing expressions. From polar bears to penguins, every corner of this zoo offers something special. It’s not just a place to see animals — it’s a place to connect with them.


I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City gave you an idea and inspiration to visit one of the largest cities of Hokkaido Prefecture.

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