Asahikawa is the second biggest city in Hokkaido. Asahikawa is well known as Asahiayama zoo which is one of most popular zoos in Japan. And also Asahikawa is the gateway to Biei, Furano, Sounkyo and Daisetsu mountain.
Many trains runs between Sapporo and Asahikawa. And also train which goes to Wakkanai and Abashiri stop at Asahikawa. You may change trains at Asahikawa.
In this post, I would like to explain about Asahikawa station and surrounding the station with many photos.
Overview
Asahikawa is located in the middle of Hokkaido. Trains depart and arrive at Asahikawa from the following destinations:
- Hakodate line to/from Sapporo, Takikawa
- Sekihoku line to/from Kitami, Abashiri
- Soya line to/from Wakkanai, Nayoro
- Furano line to/from Furano, Biei
And also you can access to Asahiyama Zoo, Sounkyo gorge and Daisetsu mountains by bus from Asahikawa station. I will tell you about the bus stops later.
The following movie shows you whole part of Asahikawa station. It covers almost same content as this post. It may be easier to understand how you change trains and buses in Asahikawa station:
Station structure, tracks and platforms
Before I start to explain about this station, I would like you to refer the station map in JR Hokkaido official site. It is in Japanese but you may find what Asahikawa station looks like.
JR Hokkaido official site, Asahikawa station map
Asahikawa is a viaduct station and that is three levels structure. All platforms are located on third floor. There is a walkways on second floor which is inside gate. This walkway connects all platforms. You can access to the ticket gates on the ground floor at both side of the station, east side and west side from this walkway. All platforms, walkway and ticker gates are connected by stairs, escalators and elevators.
Platforms
Track# | Lines/Trains | Destination |
1,2 | Local on Furano line | Biei, Furano |
3,4 | The Limited Express Lilic The Limited Express Kamui Local, Rapid on Hakodate line | Sapporo, Iwamizawa, Takikawa, Fukagawa |
3,4 | The Limited Express Taisetsu The Limited Express Okhotsk Local and Rapid on Sekihoku line | Kitami, Abashiri |
3,4 | The Limited Express Sorbetsu The Limited Express Soya Local and Rapid on Soya line | Nayoro, Wakkanai |
5,6 | The Limited Express Okhotsk Local and Rapid on Sekihoku line | Kitami, Abashiri |
5,6 | The Limited Express Soya Local and Rapid on Soya line | Nayoro, Wakkanai |
7 | Some local trains and freight trains | All destination |
Track #7 is not used usually.
The Limited Express Lilic and Kamui arrive and depart at the track #3 or #4. Asahikawa departure Limited Express trains, Taisetsu bound for Abashiri and Sarobetsu bound for Wakknai also arrive and depart at the track #3 or #4. You can transfer these trains at same platform.
Ticket gate/Exit
Asahikawa station has two ticket gates at east and west. If you stay in or drop by Asahikawa, you can exit the station from these ticket gates. And there are two exit at west and east side.
Asahikawa station is not a mega terminal station. You can get east side of the station from west ticket gate and other ways too. If you exit at wrong gate, it is not a big deal. Both ticket gate connects to south and north side of the station. But south side of the station faces Chubetsu river. There is only taxi stops at south side of the station. Many of you access to north side of the station. Downtown of Asahikawa is located at north side. Most of hotels and bus stops are located at north side too
Bus stops at Asahikawa station
Many bus services are available at Asahikawa station. Asahikawa has Asahiyama Zoo which is very popular. And also Asahikawa is the gateway to Sounkyo gorge and Daisetsu mountains. You can find the bus stops for these destinations in front of Asahikawa station building.
You can go through east ticket gate and proceed to north side. You will find the bus stops. The bus bound for Asahiyama Zoo departs from bay #6.
You can find the information, such as timetable of the bus to Asahiyama Zoo in the station.
The bus bound for Sounkyo and Daisetsu mountains depart from bay #7. Please see the link below to find the timetable of this bus.
Dohoku Bus, Sounkyo – Kamikawa line
I am glad if this post assists you to build your plan.
Comments
Hi. I just want to say thank you very much for this post. It is very helpful to me. 🙂
Arigato gozai mashita.
Hi Yuli,
I’m happy to hear that.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com