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
Mr Takeshi.. we will be going for the abashiri cruise on 6th feb at 3.30pm. Estimated to be completed at about 4.30pm.
After that we will transfer to asahikawa, last jr train 5.25pm. let say we miss the last train. What is our other option for transfer from abashiri station to asahikawa station?
Hi NMas,
There is no trains and buses after 17:25 departure. The only way to get out from Abashiri is domestic flight. But it goes to New Chitose (Sapporo). There is no ways to get Asahikawa. Otherwise you have to stay in Abashiri until next morning.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear mr Takheshi
Outlr itinerary is :
10/2 asahikawa-abashiri
11/2 abashiri- asahikawa
12/2 asahikawa-toyako
13/2 toyako-shin hakodate-nagano
We use jr pass, can we reserve seat early at 10/2 in asahikawa for departure 11,12, and 13/2 ?
Regards
Budi nio
Hi Budi,
Yes, you can. If you exchange JR pass earlier than 10/2, you can book it when you exchange the pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is there a bus from Asahiyama zoo to Sounkyo gorge? I’m planning to see these attractions in 1day in Jan.
Hi Jang,
As far as I know, there is no direct bus. You need to go back to Asahikawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would like to check do you have the bus schedule from Asahikawa Station to Hokkaido Folk Arts & Crafts Village or The Snow Museum.
Hi myth817,
Sorry but I don’t.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
I’m planning to go to this hotel at Sounkyo: http://www.hotespa.net/hotels/daisetsuzan/ in Dec 2017.
I read somewhere that I can take bus no. 9 from Asahikawa station to this hotel, and it will take around1 hour. May I know where is the bus stop located and the bus timings as well? Thanks!
Best regards,
Jane
Hi Jane,
Please see the link below:
http://www.asahikawa-denkikidou.jp/kyouei/ideyu%20gaikokugo(2016.10.1).pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Sorry can’t seem to open the link!!
Hi Jane,
Copy the link until “.pdf” and paste it on the browser. You will find it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am confused about how to get to Asahidake Onsen. Someone on tripadvisor said “take a bus from platform ten, that leaves at 9:30am.” What bus is this? I can’t see a 9:30 bus or the Asahidake Onsen stop. We are trying to get to the Asahidake ropeway and can’t figure out how to get there from Asahikawa. Can you please help us? We will be going in November.
Hi Adina,
It depart from #9. Please see the link below:
http://www.asahikawa-denkikidou.jp/kyouei/66%20time(2016.10.1).pdf
I don’t see any 9:30 departure. I don’t know about other bus services. As far as I know, only this bus takes you to Asahidake from Asahikawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
any coins locker for us to keep luggage? the charges? the locker size etc.
We plan to visit zoo asahikawa before continue our journey to Abashiri.
Hi ylchua,
Please see the link below. You may find many photos of lockers in Asahikawa station.
http://locker1.exblog.jp/21449322/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Planning a trip to sounkyo in November from Sapporo-Asahikawa- Kamikawa. Where do I take the train to Kamikawa once at Asahikawa station?
Hi Irene,
It depends on the train. If you change limited express trains, such as Lilac to Taisetsu, mostly you will change trains at #3 and #4. But sometimes you will change trains at #5 and #6. But it’s not a big deal. You will find it when you arrive there easily.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for this post. It is the most useful post I’ve found to use the Dohoku!
No worries, Brenda.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’m planning a short trip to Sounkyo, and I find this very useful. Thank you.
I’m happy to hear that, SStorma.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com