Summary
This was a spectacular day of high-level hiking around a volcanic rim in the biggest national park in Hokkaido, mostly around the 2000m level, assisted by a cable car and chairlift from the valley at Sounkyo. The colourful rocks and alpine plant life were remarkable.
- The most memorable aspects were the dramatic views of the caldera emerging from the mist, and the colourful volcanic rocks. The luxuriant plant life at about 1800m – 6000 feet – was pretty impressive too. These were different from anything I’d seen before.
- The worst bits were the tricky descent in the snow, and the cold paddle through the mountain stream.
- The funniest bit was eating pot noodles at the top of a mountain in Japan.
- A word of warning to others is to watch out for snow and ice even in early July, and take an ice axe as a precaution (could probably be hired for the day in Sounkyo). There was just the one scary bit, on a sloping area of hard-packed snow.
Read the full story with lots of pictures!
Contributed by: Andrew Llanwarne |
Dramatic gorge draining the crater
Key Facts
| Location |
Daisetsuzan National Park, Sounkyo |
| When it was walked |
July 2003 |
| Walk type |
High hills and mountains |
| Difficulty |
Requires mountaineering skills and lots of stamina |
| Distance approx |
12km / 7.5 miles |
| Height climbed approx |
1050m / 3300 ft |
| Time taken approx |
8 hrs (from top of chairlift and back) |
| Map used if any |
“Attack” 1:25,000 Daisetsuzan map |
| Source of info on walk |
Leaflet for Sounkyo Gorge Ropeway
Route marked on map
Lonely Planet Guide to Japan
National Park Centre in Sounkyo
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| Getting there |
Train Sapporro – Asahikawa
Train Asahidake - Kamikawa
Bus Kamikawa - Sounkyo |
| Places to stay |
Hotels, guest houses, and youth hostel in Sounkyo |
| Places to eat/ buy food |
Hotels, restaurants and general stores in Sounkyo |
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