Asahikawa Airport AKJ

Asahikawa Airport (AKJ) is in Higashikagura, right next to the city of Asahikawa and about 15 km from its station, in the heart of Hokkaido. It is a regional airport that opened in 1966 and runs on a single 2,500 m runway. Before the pandemic it passed the one-million mark in annual passengers (about 1.15 million in 2015). It is the most convenient gateway to the Asahikawa, Biei and Furano area, with its rolling hills, summer flower fields and winter skiing, as well as to Asahiyama Zoo.

Terminals

There is a single terminal building. An international area opened in 2018, with its own lounge since 2019, aimed at the flights to Taiwan. Because everything is so compact, there are no transfers between terminals and no long walks.

Airlines and destinations

Mostly Japanese carriers fly here, such as Japan Airlines and Air Do, with flights to Tokyo (Haneda and Narita), plus a low-cost link with Jetstar Japan. Internationally, the offer is limited to Taipei with Tigerair Taiwan. If you are coming from elsewhere in Japan or from abroad, the usual routing is via Tokyo or Sapporo-Chitose.

Services

It is a small airport, so expect the basics of a regional airport. Don’t count on the range of shops and restaurants you find at Hokkaido’s big airports; if you need something specific, such as cash or currency exchange, sort it out before you arrive.

Tips

In winter, snow can cause delays or cancellations in Hokkaido, so leave a margin if you have an onward connection. If you are heading to Biei or Furano, check the bus timetable when planning your arrival, as there are fewer services than at the large airports.