At 2300 square kilometres, this is Japan's largest national park - a wilderness area packed to the majestic snow-capped mountain peaks with dense forest, meadows, gorges, lakes, volcanoes and onsen to escape the bone-chilling cold.

Daisetsuzan translates as 'great snowy mountains' and Hokkaido's highest peak (2290 metres) - Mount Asahi - is here. The area is a playground for hikers and skiers as well as the occasional brown bear.

The main tourist centres are the hot spring towns of Sounkyo Onsen in the park's northeast and Asahidake Onsen where a cable car whisks people partway up Mount Asahi.