When it comes to Hokkaido day trips, most people think of departing from Sapporo. However, if you want to escape the tourist crowds and explore the true hidden gems of Hokkaido, a self-drive day trip from Asahikawa is actually a better choice. As Hokkaido's second-largest city, Asahikawa offers convenient car rental services and expressways that provide quicker access to surrounding countryside, gorges, and mountain attractions than departing from Sapporo. This article recommends not those over-marketed 'must-visit spots,' but rather the 5 secret bases known only to locals, with relatively few tourists but absolutely breathtaking scenery.
Unique Advantages of Hokkaido Self-Drive Day Trips
Hokkaido is 2.3 times the size of Taiwan, and traveling between attractions often takes one to two hours by car, which is why renting a car for self-driving is the most efficient way to explore this northern land. Departing from Asahikawa city center, you can reach Hokkaido's countryside and farmland areas within 30 minutes. Whether it's viewing lavender in summer, admiring autumn foliage, or chasing frozen rime in winter, you can arrive smoothly at your destinations. According to observations from Japan's tourism industry, the number of overseas tourists choosing self-driving has increased significantly in recent years, and rental car companies in Hokkaido are nearly fully booked during peak seasons. It is recommended to reserve vehicles one to two weeks in advance, especially during the lavender season from June to August and the snow season from December to February.
Biei: Deep in the Patchwork Road Countryside
Located about an hour's drive south from Asahikawa, Biei is the most representative pastoral scenic area in Hokkaido. Most tourists only briefly stop at the 'Patchwork Road' and 'Shikisai no Hill' for photos, but if you're willing to venture 20 minutes further into the mountains, you'll discover a small village called 'Bibaushi.' The hills here are gentler, and during summer, sunflower and lavender fields alternate in a patchwork display, yet the number of visitors is only one-third of Biei's popular attractions.
The historic station building at Bibaushi Station is a great spot for photography, and the small café next to the station, 'Pension Raclette,' serves freshly grilled Swiss cheese dishes that are often fully booked at lunch time. It is recommended to spend 2 to 3 hours driving slowly through Biei's countryside, stopping whenever you see a scene you like—this freedom is incomparable to traveling by bus.
Horokanai: The Hometown of Soba Noodles
Continuing south between Biei and Shibetsu, Horokanai Town is one of Japan's most important buckwheat production areas. This small town with only about 6,000 residents supplies about 30% of Japan's high-quality soba noodles. No tour buses stop here, and there are very few tourists, but if you love Japanese soba noodles, it is definitely worth a special trip.
Horokanai Town has over 10 soba noodle restaurants, with 'Ajinoya' being the most highly recommended old shop among locals. Their handmade soba noodles are chewy and springy, and the broth uses Hokkaido-grown kombu and dried bonito—simple yet endlessly memorable. A typical 'Zasai' (cold dish soba) costs between ¥800 and ¥1,000, and the dining environment is a renovated traditional Japanese house, complete with a heater for warmth in winter.
Sounkyo: A Secret Spot of Hot Springs and Gorges
Driving approximately 90 minutes northeast from Asahikawa, Sounkyo features the most spectacular gorge scenery in central Hokkaido. This is the southern entrance to 'Daisetsuzan National Park,' where 300-meter-high cliffs stretch along the Ishikari River. In autumn, the entire hillside transforms into a sea of red, orange, and yellow maple leaves—so magnificent that it rivals any famous autumn foliage spot in Japan, yet the tourist density is only one-quarter of Kyoto's Arashiyama.
Sounkyo Hot Spring Street has more than 10 hot spring ryokans. For day trips, 'Sounkyo Yumoto-kan' is recommended, with public bath fees at ¥600 per person. The spring water is a rare sulfur spring, beneficial for skin and respiratory systems. If time permits, staying one night at the hot spring street is a more luxurious experience. Choosing 'Choyotei' or 'Sounkyo Grand Hotel,' the average room rate is ¥15,000 to ¥25,000 including dinner, where you can enjoy the gorge's night view from your room.
Mount Asahi: Exploring the Secret of Volcanic Ecology
If you're energetic and want to challenge a deeper nature experience, driving about 40 minutes further into the mountains from Sounkyo brings you to Hokkaido's highest peak, 'Mount Asahi.' Rising 2,291 meters above sea level, this is an active volcano, and 'Asahiyama Onsen' at its base is the starting point for climbing.
Taking a cable car from Asahiyama Onsen (round-trip ¥2,400) to 'Sugatami Station,' then hiking about one hour brings you to 'Sugatami Pond,' the most famous crater lake on Mount Asahi. The lake water appears uniquely milky white, caused by minerals from volcanic activity. During summer (July to September), alpine plants bloom all over the mountain—yellow skunk cabbages and white Cherry Blossoms of Burma compete to bloom, making it a holy land for Japanese alpine plant enthusiasts. Even in summer, the weather in the mountains is changeable, so it is recommended to bring a windproof jacket and rain gear.
Haboro: Tranquil Moments by the Sea
If you've grown tired of countryside and mountain scenery and want to see a different aspect of Hokkaido, Haboro is an surprising option. Driving approximately 2.5 hours northwest from Asahikawa, this small town facing the Sea of Japan has only 7,000 residents, yet it boasts one of Hokkaido's most beautiful sunsets.
'Haboro Beach' is a narrow sandbar extending into the sea, and at low tide, you can walk to the opposite 'Teiuri Island' for exploration. Teiuri Island is a famous breeding ground for seabirds, with hundreds of thousands of terns nesting there every year from May to July. Next to Haboro Pier, there's a direct-from-catch seafood shop, 'Seafood Shijimi-tei,' where grilled scallops start at ¥500 and freshly boiled sweet shrimp costs ¥800—nearly half the price of Sapporo. Sitting on the beach at dusk, watching the sun slowly sink into the Sea of Japan, that sense of tranquility and vastness is the most healing side of Hokkaido.
Practical Information
For self-drive day trips departing from Asahikawa, the most suitable route is: Visit Biei countryside in the morning (1-hour drive), have lunch in Horokanai for soba noodles (40 minutes further south), then head to Sounkyo or Mount Asahi in the afternoon (return journey northeast), and if time permits, consider going to Haboro in the evening (adding another 2.5-hour drive). Car rentals are recommended at 'Toyota Rent-a-Car' or 'Nissan Rent-a-Car' near Asahikawa Station. During peak season, daily rental for a compact car is approximately ¥8,000 to ¥12,000, plus fuel costs.
It is noteworthy that mountain roads in Hokkaido may have icy surfaces or be closed during winter (November to April). Be sure to check real-time road conditions before departure. Japan's road assistance phone number is #8080, with language support only in Japanese and English. It is recommended to install a translation app on your phone before departure to be prepared for any emergencies.
Travel Tips
The key to Hokkaido self-drive day trips is 'don't be greedy.' Running to 5 attractions in one day is not only exhausting but also prevents you from fully experiencing the charm of each place. My recommendation: Choose 2 to 3 locations for in-depth exploration, which is more rewarding than visiting all attractions. The lavender season (late June to early August) has the most crowds. To avoid crowds, you can choose mid-September during the Mid-Autumn season, when the autumn foliage in Biei and Sounkyo begins to turn—the scenery is equally spectacular but with less than half the visitors. Additionally, the sun sets very early in Hokkaido. In summer, it's still light at 8 PM, but in winter, it gets completely dark at 4 PM. Be sure to factor in daylight hours when planning your itinerary. Finally, remember to fill up your tank before entering mountain areas—some remote areas in Hokkaido have no gas stations within a 50-kilometer radius. This is the most often overlooked detail by self-drive travelers.
