Higashikawa is known for the "Photo Koshien", where high-school students from all over Japan compete in photography. It is a town of 7,800, located in the inland basin of Kamikawa, central Hokkaido.

The eastern part of the town includes the highest peak (2,291m) of the Taisetsu Mountain range, and is a part of the Taisetsu National Park, the largest natural park in Japan with large scale forested areas. The foothills include the Asahidake Hot Springs surrounded by primary forests, Tenninkyo, which is tucked between sheer cliffs, and the Hagoromo Falls that fall from a height of 270meters, the highest in Hokkaido, and the natural Tenninkyo Hot Springs that flow in the ravine.

The town, is a spread of beautiful and quiet pastoral landscapes that are the first to be designated as such by the "Government Landscape Organization". However, it is also blessed in location as it is only 13km (15 min. by car) from Asahikawa, the central city of Hokkaido, and only 7km (8min. by car) from Asahikawa Airport, therefore increasing the number of migrants each year.

The change in season is drastic, especially at the foot of Mt. Taisetsu, where the scene will change from alpine flowers, to new green forests, colorful foliage, to fluffy white snowscapes; a different yet beautiful scene with every season. Many photographers, wood artists, pottery makers and other artists are drawn to this beautiful scenery with a commanding view of Mt. Taisetsu, and have settled here, built studios and art cafes. There are cafes and bakeries that bring to mind the goodness of the slow life. There are also many furniture stores due to the thriving wood working industry, and boasts the nationally renowned Asahikawa furniture.

Higashikawa town uses underground water full of minerals provided by the water that flows down from Mt. Taisetsu as their drinking water. It is an unusual town in the nation in that it does not rely on a public water supply system.

The pure water from Mt. Taisetsu supports not only the rice fields of Higashikawa, but also supports the production of alpine vegetables, flowers and other agricultural products as well as playing a major role in food processing and manufacturing, the wood working industry, in restaurants and other various industrial activities in the town.

The pure water from Mt. Taisetsu combined with the cool climate and fertile land make Higashikawa one of the leading rice makers in the nation, not to mention production of alpine vegetables and flowers. The water plays a major role in food processing, the wood working industry, in restaurants and other industries.

For more information... (In Japanese)

Photo: Tenninkyo Streams