I’ve only ever done Asahidake as a day hike once, the other times have been the start of multi-day excursions into the range. Although it’s a bit of a steady slog up the often busy route above the ropeway, you are compensated by the classic volcanic scenery, hissing steam vents and expanding views. The summit can sometimes be crowded and you might even have to queue for your turn for a selfie by the marker post.
The route down the other side varies with the time of year from a wide snowfield that is fun to slide down to a loose rutted track that isn’t. One time there was a guided group coming up the snowfield that reminded us of those pictures of the queues of climbers on the Lhotse Face of Everest. Well, almost.
At the bottom you pass by the Ura-asahi designated camping spot. It is an open col with no facilities but a few rock walls have been built to shelter tent sites from the wind. Then it’s a gentle climb up to Mamiyadake. This is one of the most scenic stretches of trail with lots of flowers blooming in July. Later in the season, as you look back to the small crater of Kumagatake on your left the snow patches form a smiley face to reflect your mood.
Once on the broad main ridge it’s a half hour walk north with expansive views into the large crater of Ohachidaira on the right and Hokuchindake, Hokkaido’s second highest peak, ahead.
At the signposted junction you turn left and drop down to Nakadake onsen. This is just a small pool in the riverbed. My companion and I refreshed ourselves by soaking our tired feet in the steaming tub. Then we carried on down though the increasingly green meadows and occasional marshy spots of Susoaidaira to the junction with the trail that took us around the flank of the mountain and eventually back to the ropeway at Sugatami.
24 thoughts on “Asahidake and Nakadake-onsen Loop Hike”
Hi, Rick! Thanks so much for this comprehensive guide. I’m planning to hike Asahidake in late June (20ish). do you think I’d need crampons (assuming there would still be snow on the trail and summit)? Thanks!
Hi Rani, the trail to the summit should be mostly clear of snow by then so crampons are unnecessary. Continuing on from the top there will be larger snowfields and a pair of microspikes might occasionally be useful. Let us know how you get on – it will be really useful for other users of the site to know about the trail conditions – thanks in advance!
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I just hiked the loop today (15 Aug), and it was an amazing experience! I got up super early to catch the first cable car up to ensure i had ample time to hike the entire loop as I’m still a beginner (Climbed Mt Fuji a year ago, and mostly climbed Furanodake via the Ansei Crater the day before.) The first car leaves at 6:30am, and the ticket window opens at 6:15. But there was already a line out front before then. Also the price for a round trip is now 3200 yen. Credit cards are accepted. Everything is still accurate.
I just wanna stress that the descent down the back side of Asahidake was very steep as there were only a handful of switch backs at the top. Its just a straight shot down the rest of the way. The risk of slipping can’t be over stated, and i think it deserves more attention brought to it. I highly recommend gloves for this one section alone as i was somewhat crab walking all the way down.
Sounds like a good day out! Thanks for the feedback and updates on the ropeway. That drop off the back is indeed steep and loose once the large snow field has gone. Out of interest, what time did you make it back to the ropeway?
I didnt actually start the hike until around 6:50, and I arrived back at 2:20. Approximately 7.5 hrs total; plenty of time to spare to catch the last cable car. This was with countless stops to take pictures, catch my breath, rehydrate, and a hand full of longer rests: top of Asahi, the hot spring (dont forget a small towel to dry your feet off btw), and in that meadow/marshy valley just after the hot spring, and maybe one or two more that Im forgetting.
Thanks again, that’s really helpful. Trying to give a realistic average route time can be quite a headache given all the variables involved so it’s good to know I was roughly on target!
Hi Rick! Thank you so much for the detailed information I appreciate it!
Just wanted to ask, after taking the trail back to Sugatami, do we also take the ropeway back down to the Asahidake Ropeway Station? Is this ride also included in the estimated 7-8 hours completion of the hike?
Thank you! 🙂
Yes, the route finishes back at the ropeway station and you need to ride it back down. It’s only about a quarter of an hour trip but obviously you might have to wait for the next one. Times are just for the walk but it’s all a bit subjective, many people will be faster, a few slower.
Is there a way to go down if we miss the ropeway?
because the ropeway works 08:00-17:00 so kind of tight for a 8 hour hike
There is a trail down but I’ve never taken it. Timings are conservative and fit parties will be quicker – I’d say if you are on the summit by midday then it should be fine in good conditions.
Hi Rick! Thanks for the information!
Do you think this hike is doable late September for hikers with little experience? I’m planning to go there with my 2 teenage sons.
Hi George, Asahidake usually gets its first snow by mid September but it doesn’t always hang around. So no definitive answer – it will depend on the local weather conditions.
Hello, thanks for the information! What is your opinion on doing this loop in mid-June? Is most of it still under a considerable amount of snow?
Hi Andrew, yes there will still be plenty of snow up on the tops behind Asahi-dake covering the trail in many places and possibly the trail junction signs as well. Below is an image looking towards the area from the north that time of year.
Hi Rick, thank you for the route, looks incredible! I am thinking going there the first week of November, do you think I will need crampons or any special equipment? Do you think I will need a guide or will it be relatively straightforward to find the route?
Hi, the webcam footage for today 10/15 shows no snow at the top station of the ropeway but at this time of year a big dump could come at any time and I’d certainly expect it to be snow conditions by early November. In that case full winter gear and equipment is necessary. And a good stable weather forecast, it can change quickly up there and it’s very exposed. In good clear weather an ascent from the ropeway to the summit is straightforward but if you want to drop off the back and do the circuit you need to have good navigation skills and experience as obviously the trails will be covered and in a whiteout the broad ridges don’t offer many defined features to aid route finding. The route timings above are for summer conditions and it will take longer in snow, and of course daylight hours are shorter. Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for all the great information. We planned to hike in Hokkaido in April. Is this trail doable then?
Hi Lyn – April is still winter up there and at that time this route would require full winter clothing and gear – crampons and ice axe for Asahidake and depending on conditions snowshoes useful if wanting to go further. The trails and markers will all be under metres of snow. Fine settled weather advisable too! Definitely not for the inexperienced.
Thank you so much for all the great information. We planned to hike in Hokkaido in April. Is this trail doable then?
This trail map looks great!
Do you consider it save to hike here individually in Juli/August, given adequate condition and navigation skills, or would you advise against it?
I mainly ask this question because I have no experience with bears or other wildlive present in the area
Hi Jeffrey, should be no problem! The trails are well marked and bears are rarely seen in this part of the park. Just keep an eye on the weather.
Thank you!
I’m glad you found it interesting and/or useful!