Sounkyo is a touristy hot spring resort town located in a narrow gorge flanked by high, forested cliffs in the Daisetsuzan National Park. It has a village center, onsen baths and two beautiful waterfalls nearby. Walkers and hikers can enjoy trails in the national park with ropeway access to nearby Mount Kurodake during the summer.
It is said that Sounkyo was first discovered by the indigenous Ainu people who called this village “Souunbetsu” which means many waterfall rivers in their language.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Hokkaido tour map
driving to Sounkyo Gorge, Hokkaido
Sounkyo Village, Hokkaido
The town holds the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (Sounkyo Onsen Hyobaku Matsuri) from late January to late March which features large, multi-story ice and snow structures with interior caverns and maze-like tunnels. Although the layout of the festival changes from year to year, it usually includes large snow domes, ice sculptures, a snow tubing run (small fee required to rent tubes), and an event stage.
Sounkyo Gorge area, Hokkaido
lighting up begins at Sounkyo Waterfall Ice Festival
Guide Don didn’t stop talking about spa choices in Sounkyo on a very long ride from Asahikawa instead of filling us on the festival; much more important than how to tie a yukata in my opinion. He suggested using the different spa options, and eat dinner before taking the hotel shuttle bus down to the festival at 7:00p. A hotel bus drives guests down to the festival every 15 minutes. Our tour bus passed by the already lit up festival while climbing the mountain road up to Sounkyo Choyotel Onsen Hotel when we arrived at 5:00p and I thought, “Huh? Why are we waiting?”
Sounkyo Choyotel Onsen is a large hotel and the Reception Area was jammed with people checking in while others ran around in yukata, preparing for a hot bath or dinner. Rooms sorted out, it was decision making time. Bath? Ice Festival? Or Dinner?
The post Learn About Sounkyo Village in Daisetsuzen National Park – Hokkaido appeared first on Travels With Sheila.