Asahikawa is Hokkaido's second city, set inland where several rivers meet below the Daisetsuzan mountains. It is colder, quieter, and less polished than Sapporo, but it has enough of its own character to be more than a transfer stop.
The headline is Asahiyama Zoo, one of Japan's best-known zoos, built around close-up views of animals in motion. In winter the city also puts on the Asahikawa Winter Festival, with huge snow sculptures, ice carving, and a local feel that makes a good contrast to Sapporo's busier festival.
Away from those set pieces, Asahikawa works as a practical central Hokkaido base. The river embankments are good for cycling in summer, Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum gives the city a serious sake stop, and trains link it to Biei, Furano, and the Daisetsuzan side of the island.