Uncover the Many Facets of Japan: Asahikawa

My first encounter with Hokkaido feels like a love letter, with each word and sentence warming the heart. From Otaru to Asahikawa, from Sapporo to Furano, these enchanting cities turn Hokkaido into our land of romance.

10 Love Letters to Hokkaido (5)
-Asahikawa

Dear H，

Do you know where the first pedestrian shopping street in Japan is? It’s not in Ginza, not in Akihabara, but in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. The Heiwadori Shopping Park in Asahikawa, approximately one kilometre long, was established in 1972 as Japan’s first pedestrian shopping street. Lined with numerous restaurants and stores, it sustains the daily lives of Asahikawa residents and stands as a renowned tourist attraction.

As I bid farewell to the Heiwadori Shopping Park, I headed towards another new landmark in Asahikawa—the Tokiwa Rotary. This roundabout, frequently featured in the Japanese drama “First Love,” serves as the typical route when the female protagonist, Eri, takes taxi rides. In one scene, the male lead, Harumichi, encounters Eri driving a taxi at the rotary, attempts to catch up, but misses the moment due to the revolving traffic lanes. This poignant love story adds a romantic touch to a corner of the city. 

The aerial view of the Tokiwa Rotary in the drama, with its twists and turns, resembles life itself—where one must complete a full circle before finding true love. 

10 Love Letters to Hokkaido (6)
-Asahikawa

Dear H，

In Asahikawa, the second-largest city in Hokkaido, the leisurely pace of life provides people with moments of reflection and the time needed for their creative thoughts to flourish. It is during these focused moments that wisdom and creativity naturally come to light. The Asahikawa Design Center makes excellent use of locally abundant natural wood to allow designers to express the beauty of life through the medium of furniture. 

Here, I felt the power and allure of design. Furniture is no longer just practical items; they are an integral part of life and an extension of our emotions. The furniture and home accessories at the Asahikawa Design Center, with their various shapes, materials, and colours, carry the emotions and stories of each designer. Although I couldn’t bring back any heavy furniture, I purchased a pair of wooden wine glasses. Their simple, unpretentious design, coupled with their warm and lightweight feel, is something I believe you would certainly appreciate.

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