Being in the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa is a good base to explore other parts of the island.
Furano is a village set in a picturesque landscape that is often used in Japanese dramas and advertisements about quite, rural life in Japan. A popular way to travel between Asahikawa and Furano in summer is the Norokko-go, an old style locomotive that runs purposedly at a very slow speed.
Sounkyo Gorge and Asahidake at the Daisetsuzan National Park, with very popular onsens hot-spring resorts and fine mountain hiking.
