Things to Do in Higashikawa (東川町), Hokkaido: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Higashikawa (東川町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園), Asahi Mt. (旭岳), Chūbetsu Mt. (忠別岳) and served by Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 887 m elevation (43.6729°N, 142.6849°E), Higashikawa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Biei (美瑛町) (14.1 km), Higashikagura (東神楽町) (15.6 km), Tōma (当麻町) (17.8 km), Kamikawa (上川町) (21.4 km).

The total area is 247.06 km2. Higashikawa declared itself a photo town (写真の町, shashin no machi) in the 1980s and has done much to sponsor photography since, notably the annually awarded Higashikawa Prizes. In recent years, the number of cafes, general stores, wineries, vineyards, sake breweries, etc. has increased due to population growth resulting from increased immigration from all over the country. More young people are visiting as tourists. In terms of population growth in 2021, it ranked first in Hokkaido. Set in a highland landscape at roughly 887 m above sea level in Hokkaido Prefecture, Higashikawa is anchored by local landmarks including Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園), Asahi Mt. (旭岳), Chūbetsu Mt. (忠別岳) and connects to neighboring Biei, Higashikagura, Tōma via Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km). Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Higashikawa (東川町) serves as a town (町) in hokkaido prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

What to See & Do in Higashikawa (東川町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Higashikawa (東川町) from Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) at 887 m elevation (43.6729°N, 142.6849°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Higashikawa):

• Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikawa (東川町).
• Asahi Mt. (旭岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikawa (東川町).
• Chūbetsu Mt. (忠別岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikawa (東川町).
• Hakuun Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Higashikawa (東川町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Higashikawa: Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Higashikawa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Higashikawa (東川町) and Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:

• Biei (美瑛町) — 14.1 km from Higashikawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Higashikagura (東神楽町) — 15.6 km from Higashikawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Tōma (当麻町) — 17.8 km from Higashikawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Kamikawa (上川町) — 21.4 km from Higashikawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Kamifurano (上富良野町) — 27.5 km from Higashikawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)

Getting to Higashikawa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Higashikawa (東川町) via Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km): 1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. From Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) to reach central Higashikawa (43.6729°N, 142.6849°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Higashikawa (東川町) and neighboring Biei, Higashikagura, Tōma. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Higashikawa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Higashikawa between Sapporo and Biei can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Higashikawa: While Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) anchors public transit for Higashikawa, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) and Asahi Mt. (旭岳) with nearby Biei (美瑛町) (14.1 km), Higashikagura (東神楽町) (15.6 km), Tōma (当麻町) (17.8 km), Kamikawa (上川町) (21.4 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Higashikawa (東川町) & Hokkaido

Dining near Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) and across Higashikawa (東川町) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Higashikawa:

• Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikawa (東川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikawa (東川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikawa (東川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikawa (東川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Higashikawa (東川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.

If you are dining in Higashikawa (東川町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km).

Where to Stay in Higashikawa (東川町)

Visitors staying overnight in Higashikawa (東川町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Biei, Higashikagura, Tōma for quick train access into Higashikawa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Higashikawa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Higashikawa (東川町, 887 m elevation at 43.6729°N, 142.6849°E): June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage.

Wider sightseeing across Hokkaido Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) in Higashikawa (東川町) includes: Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

Practical Travel Tips for Higashikawa (東川町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Higashikawa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) for local bus schedules to Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) and walking maps of Higashikawa (東川町).
• Cash & ATMs in Higashikawa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Higashikawa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Higashikawa: Around Kitabiei Station (北美瑛駅) (17.6 km) and neighboring Biei, Higashikagura, Tōma, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.