(旭岳) Mt. Asahi Hike

The highest point of Hokkaido, this is the main peak of Daisetsu-san (大雪山).

Budget: JPY2,900 (~USD28)

Hike Date / Difficulty (Elevation: 2,291m / 7,516ft)

Target: 2021
Difficulty: 3 out of 5.
Route below is around 12.0kilometers, with an elevation change of ▲1,227m/ ▽1,227m (7h8m)
Map Link

When to Go
Throughout the year, as there is a ski resort at the trailhead.

Special Notes

Weather forecast: English / Japanese.
Loop of Mt. Asahi - Mt. Mt. Tomuraushi - Mt. Tokachi means a four day-3 night hike, covering around 63.7kms, with an elevation change of ▲4,899m/ ▽4,977m.
Mountain huts.

Paid: None.
Free: Ashidake-ishishitsu (旭岳石室), but they ask that this be NOT used except in cases of emergency.
Camping: 裏旭キャンプ指定地. About 0.7km from the summit, free, no toilets, with water source.

Trailheads. The most popular one is Asahidake-onsen, I've listed the others off the internet. Others are also way further.

Asahidake-onsen (旭岳温泉). Popular for winter ascent and skiing area. It has a ropeway (JPY2,000 one way) that will let you skip around 2 hour hike - JPY2,000,3.5km, 526 elev gain. Bus, Asahikawa Station (旭川駅) to Asahidake-onsen (旭岳温泉). JPY1,450 one way. Bus 66, runs throughout the year it seems, schedule here:

Sounkyo (層雲峡). Also a ski area it seems. Bus, Asahikawa Station (旭川駅) to Sounkyo (層雲峡). JPY2,140 one way, Bus schedule here. Careful as the pdf is different for weekdays vs weekends. The earlier one leaves from Kamikawa Station (上川駅)

Aizankei-onsen (愛山渓温泉). No public transportation. Taxi from Kamikawa Station (上川駅) is around 30 minutes. There's a bus stop to Sounkyo above the passes at Aizankei-iriguchi (iriguchi = entrance), something to consider.
Tenninkyou-onsen (天人峡温泉). No public transportation. Taxi from Kamikawa Station (上川駅) is around 30 minutes.
Ginsendai (銀泉台). From Sounkyo (層雲峡), there is a shuttle it seems but I can't find it, sorry.
Kougen-onsen (高原温泉). From Sounkyo (層雲峡), there is a shuttle it seems but I can't find it, sorry.

Itinerary

The Adventure Log.