Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Experience the raw power of nature and Ainu legends where the gods are said to dwell.

Kamuy Kotan, meaning "the dwelling place of gods" in the Ainu language, is a breathtaking gorge marking the transition where the Ishikari River flows from the Kamikawa Basin toward the Ishikari Plain. Over 100 million years, the powerful currents have sculpted the green schist rock into a landscape of rugged beauty. Among its most remarkable features are the "Potholes of Kamuy Kotan"—some reaching 5 meters in diameter—which are designated as a natural monument of Asahikawa City for their geological significance.

As you stand upon the pristine white Kamuy Bridge, the thunderous roar of the swirling rapids echoes from below. The cool, sharp breeze sweeping through the canyon carries a sense of the divine majesty that once inspired both awe and fear in those who passed through.

Across the bridge, history waits at the Former Kamuy Kotan Station. Built in 1910, this wooden station house features elegant Western-style architecture and is surrounded by three vintage steam locomotives, including the iconic D51. The area transforms with the seasons: delicate pink cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant hues of maple and rowan in autumn. Walking the trails filled with the fresh, crisp scent of the forest, you will encounter the timeless, soul-stirring landscape of Hokkaido’s heritage.