Asahikawa is located almost in the center of the Kamikawa region in the center of Hokkaido. The city developed as a transportation hub and a center of distribution after its foundations were laid long ago by the activities and pioneering history of the Ainu people. Arashiyama is a hilly and mountainous area found approximately 5 km to the west of the center of the city, 40 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport and about 25 minutes by car from Asahikawa Station. It is said that the area got its name from the Hokkaido Development Commission because it looked like Arashiyama in Kyoto in the Meiji period (1868 to 1912). "Arashiyama and the View from Arashiyama" has also been selected one of the eight most picturesque sights of Asahikawa.
Hoppo Yasoen (Northern Wild Plants Garden) in Arashiyama Park is a valuable place where a pristine forest still remains despite being near the city. At the same time, hiking trails have also been established in the park. These have been designed so that it is possible for anyone to easily take a walk to the observation platform overlooking the whole of Asahikawa.
In addition, Arashiyama has been worshipped as a sacred place of the Kamikawa Ainu people. Ainu Culture Forest and Folklore Village has been opened as a social educational facility. It reproduces a former kotan (village) as a place to hold displays relating to the Ainu culture. The aim of this is to maintain and pass down the Ainu culture for a long time.
Many potters engaged in ceramics have been located at the foot of Arashiyama since the Meiji period. It soon became known and loved as the Ceramics Village by citizens. Nowadays, it is a popular spot called Northern Arashiyama. It is home to handicraft workshops and galleries engaged in ceramics, glass crafts, dyeing and woodwork crafts in addition to tearooms, cafes and more.
Why don't you visit the Arashiyama area where nature and culture unite? You can recall the lives of the Ainu people and feel the warmth of handicrafts while coming into contact with abundant nature.
Arashiyama Park
Arashiyama Park is loved by citizens and many other people as a place to enjoy excursions and outings from spring to fall and as a place to take walks using snow shoes in the winter. You can overlook Daisetsuzan Mountain Range, Ishikari River and the streets of Asahikawa from the observation platform at the summit. Accordingly, it is also known as a spot to see night views and fireworks. Moreover, many scientifically valuable plants have been confirmed to exist in the rich forest area. Ezo red foxes, Hokkaido squirrels and other small animals live here. It preserves many natural ecosystems.
Arashiyama Park Center
Arashiyama Park Center is positioned as the core facility of Arashiyama Park. It is a base to take walks to Hoppo Yasoen (Northern Wild Plants Garden) and Arashiyama Observation Platform. You can see photographs of the flowers in the park and displays of the natural environment in the center. In addition, the center holds seasonal flower, nature observation and other workshops. It also conducts surveys and research on the plants distributed in Asahikawa. Furthermore, the center functions as an annex of Asahikawa Museum and displays materials on the Ainu people.
Address
Arashiyama, Takasu-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Parking lot
Available (Free)
Opening hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed days
Second and fourth Monday of every month (the next day if that is a public holiday) and the New Year’s holiday period (December 30 to January 4)
Ainu Culture Forest and Folklore Village was opened as an annex of Asahikawa Museum to preserve and pass on the Ainu culture. It has restored the state of the kotan (village) as it was when the Ainu people actually lived there. This means you can recall life at those times which was at one with nature.
The museum exhibition in the Arashiyama Park Center mainly focuses on the use of plants by the Ainu people. It also displays the Ainu language place names of land along the river related to plant collection and historical materials on the Kamikawa Ainu.
Available (Free: 20 spaces for large buses and 50 spaces for regular vehicles)
Opening hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed days
Second and fourth Monday of every month (the next day if that is a public holiday), New Year’s holiday period (December 30 to January 4), and facility inspection days *Open every day from late April to October
Asahioka is a hilly area that extends out at the foot of Arashiyama. Potters engaged in ceramics have been found in this area with its lushly green and tranquil residential streets since around the Meiji period (1868 to 1912). It came to be called and loved by citizens as the Ceramics Village. Later, glass craft, dyeing and woodworking craft workshops and galleries focused on ceramics naturally gathered here. Its name was then changed to Northern Arashiyama as its appeal was no longer limited to ceramics. These workshops produce original works without being bound by traditions. You can encounter warm handicraft works and enjoy experiences of making works and taking part in tea ceremonies here. In addition, it is a spot where you can have a pleasant time by taking a walk in the greenery or relaxing in a cafe.
Opening period
Late April to October 15
Opening hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last admission: 4:30 p.m.) *This is subject to change depending on the climate.
The area around Arashiyama has been called Ci-nomi-sir (Our – Pray – Mountain) since long ago by the Kamikawa Ainu people. It has been worshipped as a sacred place that connects gods and people. Skulls of animals said to be the embodiment of the gods after their souls had returned to heaven and beloved vessels were left here as dedications. It is currently possible to see a restored exhibition of Ainu housing and altars as the Ainu Culture Forest and Folklore Village. In addition, monuments have been set up to honor the great Kuchinkoro who protected the human rights and lives of the Kamikawa Ainu as a leader and Umetaro Matsui who is said to be the founder of kibori kuma (wood carved bears). The Cinomisir Kamuynomi is held every year in spring. This is a traditional ritual to thank the goods for safety over the past year and to pray for peace the following year.
Cise
Cise (House) The materials used to make cise were all trees, grass and other natural objects. Bamboo was used in Asahikawa, but there were differences depending on the region. The bamboo used was carefully examined (e.g., the bamboo which had survived the winter was collected) and protected the body from the harsh natural environment. In addition, you can also tour buildings such as food storehouses used to store dried meat, fish and other foods.
Casi Kot
Casi Kot (Fort Ruins) Casi means fort or watchtower. This place in a location overlooking Ishikari River is a very important place as a watch-keeping point.
Nociw
Nociw (Star) It is said in folklore that this rock was called nociw (star) because it stood up when visited at the time a star fell from the sky.
O-sara-pet
O-sara-pet (River Mouth – Open – River) It can be understood that the mouth at confluence point with Ishikari river is open. However, there is also a theory that it is o-sara-pet (river mouth – reed bed river).
Video
Visit, Come into Contact and Feel Divinity: Around Arashiyama
Visit, Come into Contact and Feel Divinity: Ainu Culture Forest and Folklore Village
Arashiyama Visitor Center
Arashiyama Visitor Center serves as a base to conserve the natural environment under the desire to ensure the survival of the rich nature of Arashiyama. The log lodge was built by the hands of volunteers from the city and elsewhere in the country over two years and eight months. Since then, it has been open to all people visiting this area with a love of nature. It holds various events throughout the year including hiking and children’s art production.
Address
3366-23 Takasu-cho, Kamikawa-gun
Opening period
Thursdays to Sundays from the end of April to the end of October
Asahioka is a hilly area that extends out at the foot of Arashiyama. Potters engaged in ceramics have been found in this area with its lushly green and tranquil residential streets since around the Meiji period (1868 to 1912). It came to be called and loved by citizens as the Ceramics Village. Later, glass craft, dyeing and woodworking craft workshops and galleries focused on ceramics naturally gathered here. Its name was then changed to Northern Arashiyama as its appeal was no longer limited to ceramics. These workshops produce original works without being bound by traditions. You can encounter warm handicraft works and enjoy experiences of making works and taking part in tea ceremonies here. In addition, it is a spot where you can have a pleasant time by taking a walk in the greenery or relaxing in a cafe.
