Asahikawa is a city located in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. It serves as the capital of the subprefecture and holds the distinction of being the second-largest city in Hokkaido, following Sapporo. The city has been designated as a core city since April 1, 2000.
The city covers a total area of 747.66 km2 (288.67 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 321,906 as of July 31, 2011. It is characterized by its local culinary specialties, specifically Asahikawa ramen, and its notable attractions, which include the Asahiyama Zoo and a popular ski resort.