Asahidake Onsen

There is definitely a strong element of ritual when it comes to taking an onsen, but really there’s nothing at all difficult about it as long as you remember some simple basics.

The golden rules for taking an onsen (or sento) in Japan are as follows;

1. Wash top to bottom in the wash area BEFORE going in.
2. DO NOT bring your large bath towel into the bath (it stays with your clothes in the changing area)
3. Make sure to rinse thoroughly so as not to carry soap suds into the bath with you when you go in.
4. Remember that an onsen is a bath, not a swimming pool, don’t treat it as a thing for entertainment.
5. Soak for a while but do not soak your courtesy towel in the water. Most people leave it by the side of the bath or fold it in half and place it on their heads.
6. After your first soak, get out and scrub down in the wash area once more (optional).
7. You are now ready to hop as many baths as you can find.
8. Please also remember to be mindful of your volume so as not to disturb the tranquility of others.

For more information, visit here

For additional information about other great Onsen areas in Hokkaido, go here

Ramen with Dumplings

Even with plenty of layers of warm clothing, it’s still easy to feel cold on some nights in Asahikawa, -20 degrees Celsius will do that to ya!.  If you’re going to spend a good deal of time outdoors, sightseeing, skiing, or snowboarding, one of the best ways to keep your body warm is to eat spicy ramen. Any ramen will warm you up, but spicy ramen does it faster and better.

Typical Ramen Counter

Some ramen shops have a special spicy edition of their ramen on the menu, but since I have not yet seen a ramen shop with an English menu ordering it might be a tall order. Fortunately, every table and counter has a bowl or jar of  mild ground chilies on hand for you to get the job done. Once you’re done, walking around in the snow will feel remarkably more comfortable. Easy as that!

Bowl of Shio Ramen

More Information on Asahikawa Ramen:

Asahikawa Ramen

Asahikawa Ramen Shops List

Asahikawa Ramen Photo Gallery

Asahikawa Restaurants

Streets of Ice

It looks really pretty awesome, but unfortunately shaves a few years of your life expectancy when you have to drive on it. Three things to note here if you are coming to Asahikawa in the winter; first of all, if you intend driving, be aware that such conditions can come about very quickly. Second, make sure that you bring shoes with you that have  tread on the soles since the footpaths will look the same as the pictured road. Thirdly, in conditions like this, it is very easy for cars to slide through red signals, take extra care when crossing the road on foot.

Streets of Ice #2

It’s also worth noting that these conditions arise only a few times a season in Asahikawa, and although it’s always sound policy to be prepared for all conditions, it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter them to the pictured extreme on your trip.

Safe Driving (and walking)!

Kaimono Koen Night View - December

Not a bad time of year to be cruising around the city,…unless you’re on your bike!!, which inexplicably, some people seem to be

Snowed Under

Road to Asahidake

Although we’ve had two mammoth snow dumps in the last three weeks, the last few days have been oddly mild with temperatures hovering between 2 and 8 degrees and all of the snowcover disappearing.

The next three days will see a return of the snow (according to semi-credible weather sources) which should bring about a change of fortunes for the snow junkies and further add to the misery to those in the local households whose responsibility it is to clear the family driveway each morning.

More information on the Asahikawa climate HERE.

As a final note, for those intending to visit Asahikawa in the next few days, make sure to bring your heaviest and warmest winter gear, as temperatures are going as low as -12 in the next week or so.