- Address: Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
- Phone: +81 11-299-1950
- Website: www.daisetsuzan.or.jp
- Area: 2 268 sq. M. km
- Foundation date: December 4, 1934.
The island of Hokkaido, located in the northern tip of Japan , is the second largest in the country and one of the most visited by tourists. Clean air, blue skies, untouched nature and the royal grandeur of the mountains attract tens of thousands of travelers from all over the world every year. Among the main attractions of this region, Daisetsuzan National Park enjoys special popularity among holidaymakers, about which we will describe in more detail later.
Interesting Facts
Daisetsudzan was founded on December 4, 1934 in the territory of the two main districts of the island of Hokkaido - Kamikawa and Tokachi. The total area of the park is about 2270 square meters. km, which makes it the largest in the country. The original name of Daisetsuzan (Daisetsudzan mountain range over 100 km long) means "great snow mountains" in Japanese, and in fact there are 16 peaks over 2000 m high in this area.
The climate in this region is mountainous, it is characterized by severe winters with strong winds and snowfalls and a cool, sometimes rainy summer (the average temperature in July is +10 ... +13 ° C). According to the reviews of tourists, the best time to visit the park is August-September. If you want to get to the annual festival of waterfalls Sounkyo Ice, go on a trip in January-March. It was during this period for tourists to visit the huge ice caves, impressive with their size and magical beauty.
Flora and fauna of the reserve
The Daisecudzan National Park is famous primarily for its unique wildlife. While relaxing on its territory, be sure to pay attention to:
- Flowers and trees. The park is home to many rare plant species. On its territory there are more than 450 varieties of alpine flowers and meadows, as well as cedar, birch, alder, pine, Japanese oak, etc.
- Birds. The fauna of the park is also of great interest to researchers and ordinary people. On the island of Hokkaido, there are about 400 species of birds, and 145 of them can be seen while walking through the reserve. The most famous representatives of birds in Daisetzudzan are the black woodpecker, the marsh tit, the bluebird and the fish eagle owl, which are on the verge of extinction.
- Animals. In the park there are many endemic species of animals, including: brown bear, fox, raccoon dog, sable, pika, etc. In summer and autumn you can also spot spotted deer.
Where to stay?
In the territory of the national park there are many options for accommodation. Most of them have all the amenities and are suitable for living with the whole family. The most popular among holidaymakers enjoy:
- Kurodake (at the foot of the eponymous Kurodake mountain);
- Avery Marsh (slightly east of Mount Asahidake);
- Biei Fuji (1500 meters from the mountain Oputateshike);
- Tomuraushi (to the south of the mountain of the same name).
The reserve also includes several small resorts (the Japanese name is onsen), known for their hot springs . The most famous of them are Asahidake Onsen, Fukiage Onsen, Sounkyo Onsen and Tenninkyo Onsen.
How to get there?
You can get to the park from any large city in Japan by excursion bus, previously in one of the local agencies, ordering a tour. If you travel independently, use the navigator and follow the coordinates or use the services of a local taxi.