Best Time to Visit Asahikawa

When Is the Best Time to Visit Asahikawa?

The best times to visit Asahikawa are December to February in winter and June to August in summer.

December to February — Also the Peak Season

Asahikawa is renowned for its exceptional snowscapes, with December to February being the most picturesque time of the year, making it one of the best periods for tourism.

In addition, various winter activities add great fun to the trip. The most distinctive is the annual Asahikawa Winter Festival, which lasts for a week from early to mid-February. You can visit the main venue, Tokiwa Park, where diversified snow and ice sculptures are on display and you can also enjoy activities like ice mazes and slides, etc. Just remember to wear your sunglasses to avoid snow glare while admiring the beautiful snow wonders. After dark, there are light shows and fireworks displays. Another exciting event is the “Penguin Parade”, a seasonal winter spectacle. Starting from late December, from 11:00 to 14:30 daily, penguins at Asahiyama Zoo stroll in groups across the snow-covered ground, looking especially adorable! You can also witness scenes of other cold-climate animals like polar bears and seals enjoying themselves.

During this period, tourists can also experience the unique Christmas and New Year festivities exclusive to Asahikawa, without encountering the crowded conditions found in other Japanese cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nara.

Tips:
1. Since December to February is the coldest time of the year, it’s best to dress warmly and bring essential winter items such as hats, scarves, gloves, ear muffs, and heating pads. Most importantly, you need to stay updated on the local weather conditions, as blizzards are highly likely, which may lead to suspended public transportation and the closure of certain attractions.

2. This period also marks the peak season, inevitably leading to an increase in air ticket and hotel prices, as well as congestion in public transportation. Therefore, if you plan to go, it is necessary to book your tickets and accommodation in advance.

3. As it gets dark early in the afternoon around 4 o’clock every day, and considering the limited bus services and early closing times in Asahikawa, as well as the scattered distribution of attractions, we recommend that you book a hotel close to the station and set off early to save time on the road and leave more time to enjoy sightseeing.

June to August

If you want to enjoy a cozy summer, Asahikawa is definitely a good place to go. With the maximum temperatures rarely exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), combined with long daylight duration, you can leisurely stroll around the city, enjoying its cool breeze. In addition, summer scenery here is captivating enough to make you stay: except for lush forests growing in the Kaguraoka Park, there are full of colorful blooming flowers vying for tourists’ attention in the Ueno Farm.

Feeling something is missing? That’s right, a summer trip to Japan cannot do without fireworks shows, and Asahikawa is no exception. Every year in late July or early August, the grand Asahikawa Summer Festival is held at Tokiwa Park. During the festival, you can not only experience local folk celebration performances, but also enjoy the charming summer night fireworks and delicious snacks.

See more about: Asahikawa Weather & Asahikawa Attractions

Best Time for Admiring Asahikawa Sakura: Early to Mid-May

Due to the late revival of spring, the cherry blossoms in Asahikawa do not reach their peak until early May. However, this makes up for the regret of tourists who missed the cherry blossoms in southern Japanese cities.

During early to mid-May, the cherry blossoms in top Sakura viewing attractions like the Asahiyama Park and Tokiwa Park have already begun a fierce competition.

Best Time for Asahikawa Autumn Foliage: Late September to Mid-October

For early autumn travelers, Asahikawa provides you with colorful natural views from late September to mid-October. Tokiwa Park, Kaguraoka Park, and Sounkyo, which were once favored by pink cherry blossoms, have now become paradises of orange red maple leaves and golden ginkgo leaves.

Read More: Japan Fall Foliage Forecast in 2025

Slack Seasons for Traveling in Asahikawa: March and November

November marks the beginning of winter in Asahikawa, while March is nearing the end of winter, making these two months the city’s off-season for tourism. The corresponding benefits are that airfare and hotel prices are relatively cheap, transportation and scenic spots are not congested, which brings great convenience to travel. And although these two months may not be as spectacular as the snow scenery from December to February, they will not be inferior too much, after all, the snowfall in these two months is also relatively frequent.

Unfavorable Time to Visit Asahikawa: April

April can be regarded as the most unfavorable time to visit Asahikawa. Firstly, the weather is not warm enough. Particularly during the early morning and late afternoon, the temperature could drop to around 0℃ (32℉). What’s worse, the landscape is less enchanting as snow covers have melted, exposing bare fields and trees.