| Asahikawa is a city located in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The city is the capital of the subprefecture and the second-largest city in Hokkaido, next to Sapporo. It has been a Core city since April 1, 2000. The city is currently well-known for Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa Ramen.
As of 2004, the city has an estimated population of 361,488 and a density of 483.53 persons per kmē. The total area is 747.6 kmē.
On August 1, 1922, Asahikawa was officially founded as Asahikawa City. As the center city in northern Hokkaido, Asahikawa has been influential in industry and commerce. There are about 130 rivers and streams including the Ishikari River and Chubetsu River, and over 740 bridges in the city. Asahibashi, a bridge over Ishikari River, has been familiar to people in the city as one of the symbols of Asahikawa since its completion in 1932, and it was also registered as one of the Hokkaido Heritage sites on October 22, 2001.
Asahikawa thrived as a military city before World War II, when the IJA 7th Division was posted there. Today, the second division of the northern army of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is headquartered in Asahikawa.
In winter, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is held annually at the bank of the Ishikari River, making use of Asahikawa's cold climate and snow. On January 25, 1902, a weather station recorded -41°C, the lowest temperature in Japanese history. Due to its climate and location surrounded by mountains, there are some ski resorts in the outskirts of the city.
Asahikawa is served by Asahikawa Airport which stretches over the outskirts of Asahikawa City and Higashikagura, Hokkaido. It is a second class airport, and also a single-runway regional airport. The airport serves domestic destinations including Tokyo, but some airlines offer destinations in South Korea. Municipal buses also serve the city.
Asahikawa is known as one of Japan's gourmet towns, and contains many restaurants of nearly every description.
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