There are two main reasons why people generally visit Asahikawa, Hokkaido. One reason is Asahiyama Zoo, the most popular zoo in Hokkaido, and the other reason is ramen. To help guide me on which shops I should visit, I asked Asahikawa’s “Ramen Guy” for help.

At Asahiyama Zoo, located in the suburbs of Asahikawa, Hokkaido, penguins swim overhead as if flying in the sky, orangutans move around as if walking in the air, and lesser pandas cross the suspension bridge... The zoo attracts attention by introducing "the action display" that reproduced natural behavior and life of animals and it has been a sightseeing spot with a national high-profile and popularity now. In 2013, "a giraffe building and a hippopotamus building" were newly completed. At the giraffe building, you can watch closely giraffes from the unprecedented height of their eyes and feet. On the other hand, a farm is built each indoors and outdoors in the […]

The Ainu are the northern aborigines from the Hokkaido region. The "Kaneto Kawamura Ainu Museum" was opened by Kawamura Itakishiroma, the father of Kawamura Kaneto, with the goal in mind to share and protect their people's culture for future generations. It began in 1916 as a private archive. It is the oldest facility in Japan being used as an archive for Ainu culture. Visitors are greeted by the exterior of the main building (the museum) with a characteristic design by the late Ainu sculptor, Sunazawa Bikky, along with folk craft shops, workshops and "Chise" (traditional Ainu houses) that stand upon the premises. These "Chise" were faithfully reconstructed using 3 tons […]