Daisetsuzan National Park
Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園 Daisetsuzan Kokuritsu Kōen) was established by the central government on 4 December 1934. It is the largest national park in Japan, extending over 2,268 square kilometres. The park is located in the centre of the island with a series of peaks over 2,000 metres in height.
The southern part of the park extends into the townships of Shintoku, Shikaoi, Shihoro and Kamishihoro in Tokachi Subprefecture, while the northern section is in Kamikawa, Higashikawa, Biei, Furano, Kami Furano and Minami Furano in Kamikawa Subprefecture.
Mountains
The mountains within the park are commonly referred to as the Daisetsuzan Mountains, however it is considered more accurate to apply this name to a particular group of peaks in the north of the park. The two other main groups are the Tokachi Mountains in the southwest and the Ishikari Mountains in the east. All are volcanic - either stratovolcanoes or lava domes.
Hot springs and ski resorts
Surrounding the mountains are a number of resorts and hot springs including:
- Asahidake Onsen: hot spring and ski resort
- Sōunkyō: hot spring and ski resort
- Tenninkyō: hot spring
- Shirogane Onsen: hot spring and ski resort
- Tokachidake Onsen: hot spring
- Shikaribetsu Kohan: hot spring
- Nukabira Onsen: hot spring and ski resort