Mt. Tokachi (十勝岳)

Mt. Tokachi (十勝岳, 2,077 m) is the principal peak of the Tokachi mountain range straddling Biei, Kamifurano, and Shintoku in central Hokkaido, and remains an active volcano with continuous fumarolic activity. It lies within Daisetsuzan National Park and is counted among the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan (Kyūya Fukada’s selection).

Repeated historic eruptions include the 1926 Taisho lahar (144 fatalities), 1962 and 1988 eruptions; the Taisho crater and 62-2 crater just below the summit still emit volcanic plumes today. The summit panorama covers the Daisetsuzan range, Mt. Tomuraushi and the Hidaka mountains, while the area around Tokachidake Onsen is famous for Japan’s earliest autumn colours (mid- to late September, from Mt. Kamihorokametokku to the Ansei crater).

*Timetable last checked: May 21, 2026

How to access the trailheads

1. [Outbound] Sapporo / Asahikawa → Kamifurano / Biei (JR Furano Line, Furano Bus Lavender Bus)
2. [Round trip] Kamifurano Station ⇔ Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku (Kamifurano Town Bus, Tokachidake Line)
3. Bogakudai course (from Biei Station by taxi / car) and trail overview, suggested plans

Standard times (Bogakudai course, out-and-back, intermediate, ~7 hours)

Bogakudai (930 m) → (0:40) → Kumonotaira junction → (1:30) → former hut site (1,300 m) → (1:30) → Showa crater → (0:50) → Mt. Tokachi summit (2,077 m) → (3:00) → Bogakudai

Standard times (Tokachidake Onsen course via Kamihoro, intermediate, ~7:30)

Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku (1,280 m) → (1:30) → Kamihoro junction → (1:30) → Mt. Kamihorokametokku (1,920 m) → (1:00) → Mt. Tokachi summit → (3:30) → Ryōunkaku

1. [Outbound] Sapporo / Asahikawa → Kamifurano / Biei (JR Furano Line, Furano Bus Lavender Bus)

The bases for Mt. Tokachi are Kamifurano Station (for Ryōunkaku) and Biei Station (for Bogakudai). From Asahikawa Station, JR Furano Line takes about 50 min – 1 h; from Sapporo, Furano Bus “Express Lavender Bus” (Asahikawa Station → Asahikawa Airport → Biei → Kamifurano → Furano) takes about 1 h 30 min. From major Honshu cities, direct flights to Asahikawa Airport take about 1 h 35 min – 2 h; airport to Biei via Lavender Bus is about 25 min and ¥760.

JR and airport access guide :
Tokyo / Osaka → Asahikawa Airport : direct flights (JAL/ANA/AirDo) about 1 h 35 min – 2 h
Sapporo Station → Asahikawa Station : JR Limited Express Lilac/Kamui about 1 h 25 min, ¥4,810
Asahikawa Station → Biei Station : JR Furano Line about 35 min, ¥640
Asahikawa Station → Kamifurano Station : JR Furano Line about 50 min, ¥760
Asahikawa Airport → Biei Station : Furano Bus Lavender Bus about 25 min, ¥760

Note : JR Furano Line is a local line with 1–2 trains per hour and is crowded in the summer lavender season. The Lavender Bus runs year-round via Asahikawa Airport — convenient for arriving air passengers.

Reference : JR Hokkaido ｜ Furano Bus
Inquiries : JR Asahikawa Station ☎0166-25-6736 / Furano Bus ☎0167-23-1121

2. [Round trip] Kamifurano Station ⇔ Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku (Kamifurano Town Bus, Tokachidake Line)

For the Tokachidake Onsen course (Ryōunkaku trailhead, 1,280 m), take the Kamifurano Town Bus Tokachidake Line (Kamifurano Station → Town Hospital → Fukiage Onsen → Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku): about 50 min and ¥500 one way, 4 runs per day. From June to September, weekends/holidays have an earlier first run for hikers. Fares are distance-based ¥200–500; the line runs year-round except January 1.

Operating period : Year round (closed Jan 1; earlier first run on weekends/holidays in summer, Jun–Sep)
Travel time : Kamifurano Station → Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku about 50 min
Fare : ¥500 (one way, distance-based ¥200–500)
Frequency : 4 runs per day

Kamifurano Station → Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku (Kamifurano Town Bus Tokachidake Line, hiker excerpt; runs daily except Jan 1)

^*S = Summer only (weekends and holidays in Jun–Sep)

Tokachidake Onsen Ryōunkaku → Kamifurano Station (return; runs daily except Jan 1)

Note : Limited runs: missing the last bus (17:45) means an overnight stay or a taxi to Kamifurano Station (about ¥7,000). After descending, Fukiage Onsen “Hakuginso” (municipal facility with free open-air baths next to the trailhead) is convenient for a bath. Always confirm with Kamifurano Town Bus or NAVITIME before departing.

Reference : Kamifurano Town Bus Tokachidake Line ｜ Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourism Association
Inquiries : Kamifurano Town Hall ☎0167-45-6500 / Ryōunkaku ☎0167-39-4111

3. Bogakudai course (from Biei Station by taxi / car) and trail overview, suggested plans

The Bogakudai course (standard and most popular, trailhead 930 m) is the main route from the Biei side. There is no regular public bus to Bogakudai from Biei Station — taxi (about 30 min, ~¥6,000) or private car only. Bogakudai has a disaster-evacuation shelter (eruption shelter), parking (~100 spaces) and toilets. Round trip to the summit is about 7 hours, featuring volcanic-gravel slopes and stark volcanic terrain.

Bogakudai access guide :
Biei Station → Bogakudai : taxi about 30 min, ~¥6,000 / private car about 30 min
Fukiage Onsen → Bogakudai : car about 15 min (convenient if staying at Fukiage Onsen Hakuginso)
※ No public bus directly to Bogakudai; sightseeing-hire service may run in summer.

Trail summary (2 main routes)

• Bogakudai course (intermediate, ~7 h): Biei side, volcanic-gravel slopes, disaster shelter on site
• Tokachidake Onsen course (via Kamihoro) (intermediate, ~7:30): Kamifurano side; the Kamihoro–Ansei crater section is spectacular in autumn

Huts, toilets, hot springs
– Mt. Tokachi former hut: not usable (deteriorated)
– Kamihoro emergency hut: on the Tokachidake Onsen course, unstaffed
– Ryōunkaku (hot-spring lodging + bath ¥800, ☎0167-39-4111)
– Fukiage Onsen “Hakuginso” (municipal, bath ¥700, open-air)
– Fukiage open-air bath (free, mixed, famous)

Cautions
– No water sources anywhere on the trails: carry at least 2 L
– Volcanic gas (hydrogen sulphide) lingers near the craters: pass through quickly
– In low visibility, the volcanic-gravel slopes lose track: use GPS and turn back if needed
– Bear sightings common: carry bells and pepper spray

Emergency contacts and inquiries

• Kamifurano Town Hall (Ryōunkaku, Fukiage Onsen side): ☎0167-45-6500
• Biei Town Hall (Bogakudai side): ☎0166-92-4321
• Furano Police Station (climbing plan, mountain rescue): ☎0167-22-0110
• Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourism Association: ☎0167-45-3150 / Kamifurano Town Bus: ☎0167-45-6989

Suggested plans

• Day hike, Tokachidake Onsen course (intermediate, most popular): Asahikawa → Kamifurano Station 9:00 → 9:25 town bus → Ryōunkaku 10:15 → summit 13:30 → Ryōunkaku 17:00 → 17:45 bus → Kamifurano Station 18:35
• One night, overnight at Ryōunkaku + summit (recommended): Day 1 arrive at Kamifurano, overnight at Ryōunkaku or Hakuginso. Day 2 early start 5:00 → summit → descend → bathe at Fukiage Onsen → Kamifurano Station. Especially recommended in autumn (mid- to late September)

Reference : Kamifurano Tokachidake Tourism Association ｜ MoE Daisetsuzan National Park

Photo by Raita Futo / Flickr