Higashikawa Rice & Sake Journey
This little-known land at the foot of Mt. Asahidake is known in North Hokkaido for its fresh water. And where there's good water, there's good rice... which means, good sake!


JR Biei Station,
JR Asahikawa Station

May ~ Mid Oct
09:00~ 5 hrs
Have you heard of Higashikawa? This small town tucked away at the foot of Mt. Asahidake is most well-known among hikers visiting to summit Hokkaido's tallest mountain. For residents of North Hokkaido, however, its name is synonymous with its fresh spring water, flowing from Daisetsuzan National Park itself. And as any Japanese will tell you, where there's good water, there's good rice... which means, delicious sake!
On this tour, we'll start by making our way to Daisetsuzan Gensui Park, a beautiful forest park in Higashikawa with a special feature... a freshwater spring, flowing from the peaks of the nearby mountains! We'll take a short walk through the forest to the source. An original reusable water bottle will be gifted to you as part of this tour, which you can use to collect some of the fresh spring water to try for yourself.
This water is used to flood Higashikawa's vast rice paddies, which we'll enjoy a view of as we enjoy a picnic lunch, purchased on Higashikawa high street (please pay yourself on the day). After we enjoy the views, we'll make our way to a nearby sake brewery. Although we won't be allowed to go inside the warehouse, a window inside the shop looks in on the process. Of course, you can taste their goods for yourself - and make a purchase, if you wish!
After visiting the sake brewery, we'll head back to Biei or Asahikawa station and say our goodbyes.

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Pick up is not available from JR Furano Station. If you are staying in Furano and wish to join this tour, please take the train from Furano to Biei.
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Participants under the age of 20 (the legal drinking age in Japan) or participants planning to drive immediately after the tour may not partake in sake tasting.
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There are no toilets at Daisetsuzan Gensui Park. Please use the facilities at JR Asahikawa Station or JR Biei Station before departing. There will be no toilets until we reach Higashikawa high street.
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The walk at Daisetsuzan Gensui Park is not challenging, but please wear comfortable shoes that you do not mind getting dirty (gum boots are available on rainy days if you wish).
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We can provide you with rental sun hats and rain ponchos if you do not have your own,
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In the event of rain, the picnic lunch will be changed to eating at a local restaurant.
Price (Per Group)
~4 People: ¥30,000
*Maximum 4 People, Minimum Age 12

Included
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Services of your Dohoku Local
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Pick-Up & Drop-Off at JR Biei or JR Asahikawa Station
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Sun hats, ponchos or gum boots if needed
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Reusable water bottle gift

Not Included
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Picnic lunch costs (pay on the day)
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Purchases at the sake brewery
*Please make sure you wear comfortable shoes for this tour. Non-cotton socks are also advised to prevent blisters.
Terms & Conditions
We know, it's boring.
But if you'd like to join an experience, there are some particulars.
We appreciate your taking the time to read this before booking!
1. The minimum age for this experience is 6 years and above but your child must be happy to walk fairly long distances without sitting down. If your child is small enough to be carried, that's no problem! 2. If you live in Japan and wish to bring your pet with you on this walk, you may. However, pet owners must take responsibility for their animal's behaviour at all times, including cleaning up their toilet mess, keeping them off of private land and their reactions to vehicles and other pedestrians. Dohoku Local cannot be held responsible for accidents or incidents involving your pet. 3. Note that the forest we will walk through is bear country. Although it is very unlikely that we will actually meet a bear, please be sure to follow your Dohoku Local's instructions for your safety! Your Dohoku Local will carry bear spray as a precaution. 4. If you are feeling tired and wish to terminate the walk early, we will return to either the Blue Pond or Shirogane Onsen (depending on which is closer) and you can return to Biei via taxi. Your guide will call a taxi for you. However, you must pay the return taxi fee by yourself on site (Biei's taxis only accept cash). Refunds cannot be given for experiences terminated partway through by your instruction. 5. Bookings are accepted a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings later than this. The online system only allows for bookings 3 days in advance, so for bookings sooner than this, please reach out to us via our contact form. 6. Please let us know if you have any health or mobility issues that may affect you on this experience. 7. Aggressive or threatening behaviour towards your Dohoku Local or Biei townspeople will not be tolerated. 8. The participant accepts that they bear responsibility for any accident or injury, except for those caused by negligence or poor behaviour on the part of their Dohoku Local. 9. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation on the spot with no refund given if any of the T&C are breached. 10. Cancellation Policy: Full refund if cancelled by you, the participant, more than 24 hours before the experience. 100% cancellation fee if cancelled within 24 hours of the experience. Unfortunately we do not accept illness or injury as mitigating circumstances. If we have to cancel the experience due to unforeseen circumstances on Dohoku Local's end, a full refund will be given.