Accommodation

A handful of hotels and a youth hostel are dotted along the road which snakes up to the Asahidake ropeway station.

Ezo Matsu-so hotel opposite the visitor centre is the biggest lodging in the village which generally caters to large tour groups. Costs are about ¥15,000 - ¥20,000 per night. Some reservation companies can make bookings for this hotel, but if booking directly the only option is via telephone or fax (tel 0166/97-2321, fax 97-2324).

Our accommodation recommendation is the Daisetsuzan Shirakaba-so Youth Hostel which is a few minutes (walk or ski) down the road from the cable car, and approximately 10 minutes walk up. Shirakaba-so has two room types available; shared (4 bed dorms - bunks) and spacious Japanese private rooms (single or double). All rooms are very clean, quiet and utilise shared toilet facilities, but there are no western showers available. You won’t mind though as the bathing facilities are the onsens which includes the fabulous outdoor onsens (rotemburo) that are surrounded by snow and are finished in natural stone.

The hostel has a superb observation tower for viewing the volcano and surrounding forest, a large ski room, storage facilities, and a small lounge. A log cabin is attached to the hostel and is available for exclusive use (may be booked as accommodation for up to 10 people) or may be used as a lounge area if not otherwise occupied.

An added bonus of staying at Shirakaba-so is the fantastic deal for a two-day lift ticket. The second day will only cost about $AUD7 (a full day ticket normally costs ¥3,800).

Tariffs per person per night are:
Non youth hostel member - private - ¥7,500, dorm - ¥6,450yen;
Youth hostel member - dorm only - ¥5,190yen
Breakfast, dinner and taxes are included in the rates. If self catering, the cost is ¥1,680yen cheaper. A basic hotplate is available for self-caterers (there is no access to the main kitchen!).

Currently it’s not possible to book on-line, rather only via telephone or fax (Tel 0166-97-2246 Fax 0166-97-2247). No deposit is required with payment upon departure.

Another option is Lodge Nutapu-Kaushipe (tel & fax 0166/97-2150) which is next door to the hostel. Japanese-style rooms are Y10,000-15,000 per night, which includes two meals. The lodge has a café, sauna and outdoor onsens (rotemburos) in a fabulous setting overlooking the river.

The other alternative if skiing at Mt Asahidake is to stay in Asahikawa about 1 hour away.