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Asahikawa is proud of its amazing number, “99.5”.
Do you know the meaning of this number, which many Hokkaido-area residents are familiar with?
It is even more interesting to know that Asahikawa alone, and not Hokkaido, boasts the highest number in Japan.
Wouldn’t you like to know the secret of this number?
Asahikawa’s mysterious number “99.5”, the first clue is in its weather
Asahikawa’s mysterious number “99.5”, the secret lies in Asahikawa’s weather.
Asahikawa is a commercial city located almost in the center of Hokkaido.
Located in an inland area with large differences in temperature, it is truly Hokkaido’s land of extreme cold, recording the coldest temperature ever recorded at -41℃（-41.8F.)
The cold is so severe that many people freeze their nose hairs and say, “It’s hard to breathe.
Not necessarily because of that, but because it is Hokkaido, and naturally in Asahikawa in winter, snow falls with a heavy thud.
However, there are relatively few days of blizzard conditions, probably due to the fact that the wind is weak.
In January and February, the early morning cold weather causes water vapor in the air to clump together, creating a beautiful natural phenomenon called “diamond dust” that leaves one at a loss for words.
This natural phenomenon is also a characteristic of Asahikawa’s weather, and many photographers are attracted to Asahikawa because of its beauty.
Severely cold winter in Asahikawa with historically heavy snowfall!
Some of you may recall the heavy snowfall of 2013 as a symbolic event of Asahikawa’s cold winter.
In January 2013, Asahikawa Station was hit by a historic snowstorm, with snow, snow, snow blizzards everywhere you turned!
Even the station grounds were covered with snow, which was a terrible situation, and many people were stranded.
JR trains were suspended across the board, buses were almost completely cancelled, snow removal could not keep up with the snow, and roads were so paralyzed by snow that many people were unable to leave their homes.
The heavy snowfall also affected the U-turn rush, which is a true indication of Asahikawa’s harsh winter…!
Winter activities in Asahikawa can be enjoyed even when it is snowing, but as expected, those who have encountered such heavy snow in Asahikawa are advised to stay inside their hotels and relax quietly.
Quoted：Hokkai Heso Matsuri
Asahikawa is located almost in the center of the city, but do you know where the real center of Hokkaido is?
Actually, the center of Hokkaido is Furano City.
Because of its location, it is also known as the “Navel of Hokkaido.
Furano City is also home to the “Navel Festival (called Heso Festival,)” a festival named after the navel of Hokkaido!
The Heso Festival is an amazing festival that can be seen and danced to with great vigor.
The Heso Festival is held in summer, so it is not possible to see it in winter, but all the participants dance like crazy with their stomachs drawn in the shape of a belly button.
They dance like crazy.
Individuals can jump in and participate in this festival, and the prize money for the group winner is 100,000 yen!
This festival is loved not only by citizens but also by tourists because it is a “fat” festival only for the navel.
The second clue is the means to visit Hokkaido…
Asahikawa’s mysterious number “99.5”, the second clue is transportation.
What is your usual mode of transportation when visiting Hokkaido?
If you live in the Tohoku region near Hokkaido, you may use your own car, train, or ferry.
For the rest of us, it is probably by plane.
Many people have used New Chitose Airport to get to Sapporo, a popular tourist destination.
However, Asahikawa Airport is actually the most convenient airport for visiting popular tourist destinations such as Asahiyama Zoo, Furano, Biei, and Tomamu, which are now famous throughout Japan!
Asahikawa Airport is so convenient that in 2018 a full-fledged international terminal will finally be built, which will increase transportation for both residents in the Asahikawa area and those from overseas, and the new terminal building will be able to accommodate approximately 500,000 people per year.
With the completion of the domestic terminal renovations in 2019, Asahikawa Airport is only going to get more convenient!
Sapporo to Asahikawa! What is your recommended mode of transportation?
If you have arrived at Sapporo, a popular tourist destination and still want to visit Asahikawa, we recommend that you take a JR or bus to get there.
Driving in Asahikawa in winter can be a bit scary for those who are not used to driving on snowy roads, as you may suddenly encounter icy roads.
If you take the JR Lilac, Kamui, Okhotsk, or Soya limited express trains, it takes about one and a half hours from Sapporo.
If you are planning to visit Asahiyama Zoo, which is very popular in Asahikawa, you should not miss out on the Asahiyama Zoo Ticket, which includes an admission ticket and a bus ticket for 6,130 yen (at the time of writing).
Quoted：JR Hokkaido Railway Company
If you are looking to cut down on travel costs, you can take the highway bus “Highway Asahikawa-go” for only 3,860 yen round-trip (at the time of writing)!
Quoted：Rakutoku Bus 14
Although it takes a little longer than the JR train (a little over 2 hours), you can eat delicious food with the money you save!
For more details, please refer to the website of each company.
The Answer of what Asahikawa boasts Japan’s highest “99.5”…
You’ve been itching to know the mysterious number “99.5”, of which Asahikawa boasts the highest in Japan, haven’t you?
Sorry for the wait, (now that the clues are gone) we finally announce it!
Asahikawa is proud of its “99.5” service rate (in 2017) at Asahikawa Airport!
New Chitose Airport also has a high service rate of approximately 98%, but Asahikawa Airport boasts a higher rate.
It is surprising that Asahikawa Airport has a stable 99.5% service rate despite the cold and snowy weather.
Why is the service rate so high at Asahikawa Airport?
Quoted：Asahikawa Airport Passenger Terminal
One of the main reasons for this is the existence of an excellent snow removal team.
The snow removal team is called “WAX WINGS,” and their work has even been featured on TV.
Their passionate desire to keep the transportation system running, which is the foundation of Asahikawa’s major tourism industry, is probably the reason for this astonishing figure.
To learn more about Wax Wings, please visit the Asahikawa Airport website and watch the video!
Asahikawa Airport continues to evolve!
Quoted：Asahikawa Airport Passenger Terminal
Asahikawa Airport is supported by the passion of WAX Wings and its employees.
We are not content to rest on our laurels with that astonishing 99.5% service rate, but rather we are working on how to reduce the 0.5% flight cancellation rate to 0%.
Incidentally, Asahikawa Airport was operating normally even during the memorable 2018 earthquake that hit the central-eastern part of the Iburi region of Hokkaido with a maximum intensity of 6+ on the Japanese seismic scale.
While the whole of Hokkaido was hit by the blackout, Asahikawa Airport reassured many customers by supplying power through in-house power generation and carrying out normal flight operations.
Japanese people tend to take it for granted that airplanes are never delayed, but I am reminded that this is only possible because of the steady efforts of the Asahikawa Airport staff on a daily basis.
It is somehow very trustworthy.
Also, the international terminal will have its grand opening in September 2019, and there are numerous new stores within the international terminal!
At Asahikawa Airport, you can enjoy the charms of Asahikawa within 0 seconds of your arrival.
You can enjoy shopping for woodworking goods, a specialty of Asahikawa, and…
also purchase pasta sauces and soups made with local ingredients and wheat produced in Hokkaido.
Moreover, Hokkaido is all about milk, and you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream made from milk produced in a town adjacent to Asahikawa.
Quoted：Asahikawa Airport Passenger Terminal
Asahikawa is famous for its milk and its ramen noodles! AsahikawKyoku-fufu Ramen” offers “Milk Butter Ramen” which is a combination of “Milk” and “Ramen”!
Incidentally, Asahikawa Asahikaze Ramen also offers a spicy ramen that those who like spicy food should definitely try: the “Super Spicy Tangy Ramen”!
There is even a warning “Be careful if you are about to board an airplane”, so unless you have a lot of confidence in yourself, you might not want to try it!
Asahikawa’s passion for being Hokkaido’s base even in winter
It is no exaggeration to say that Asahikawa Airport supports Hokkaido’s tourism industry as the closest airport to Furano and Biei.
The current mayor of Asahikawa, Mr. Nishikawa (as of December 2018), has stated in the media that he would like to “convey this pride to the world in the future”.
Asahikawa’s winter season from December to February is getting more and more severe, but Asahikawa Airport, with its stable workforce, will surely support you in the shadows and keep your wonderful travel plans from going awry!
Asahikawa and Furano offer many fun activities in winter, which are easily accessible from Asahikawa Airport.
We hope you will plan a fun trip with Basho Trip when you come to Asahikawa/Furano!
For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip
