Asahikawa Family Hotels: Asahiyama Zoo & Hot Springs

Asahikawa, located almost in the center of Hokkaido, is the largest city in the northern part of the island, and is hugely popular as a family destination thanks to Asahiyama Zoo, known nationwide for its "behavioral exhibits" that let visitors see animals acting naturally. It's reachable from Sapporo by JR limited express, and Asahikawa Airport also makes it a gateway for families traveling from outside Hokkaido. The city is also a convenient base for visiting popular northern Hokkaido sightseeing spots like Biei and Furano.

One thing that stands out about hotels in Asahikawa is that even hotels in the city center often have a large communal natural hot spring bath. Being able to come back to your hotel and soak in a hot spring together as a family after a day walking around the zoo or sightseeing is a real perk for family travel. Hotels are concentrated around Asahikawa Station, making it an easy area to get around for families traveling by train.

Up on a hill on the edge of town, Asahikawa Takasago Onsen, a hotel with a Showa-retro theme, has a "retro shop" selling old-fashioned candy and retro games, a kids' space, and a manga corner, plus a natural hot spring family bath available for an extra fee, making it a place all three generations can enjoy. Around the station, Dormy Inn Asahikawa is convenient with a top-floor natural hot spring and free perks kids enjoy, like a late-night ramen service, while Premier Hotel CABIN Asahikawa, within walking distance of the station, is popular for letting children of elementary school age or younger sleep in the room for free. Right by the station, you'll also find Hotel Route Inn Grand Asahikawa, which has a large natural hot spring bath and a breakfast buffet, and Hotel WBF Grande Asahikawa, known for a breakfast buffet said to be among the best in northern Hokkaido and for lending out cribs.

One of the charms of Asahiyama Zoo is that what's on show changes with the seasons, so it's enjoyable year-round. In summer, families can combine a visit with the flower fields and rolling hills of Biei and Furano, and in winter, they can enjoy a quintessentially Hokkaido trip through the snowy scenery. Local specialties like Asahikawa ramen are also part of the fun.