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.