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The enigmatic name... Asahikawa
The name Asahikawa first appeared in written records on September 20th, Meiji 23 (1890) (Hokkaido Prefecture Town Foundation Announcement).
Under the direct orders of Iwamura Michitoshi and Nagayama Takeshiro, who were the Chief Governors of Hokkaido at the time, Nagata Housei was instructed to research a name for the town using traditional Ainu language.
The main area of early settlement in Asahikawa was Chuubetsuta, or "Chupupetsu" in Ainu language, which means "East" and "River".
As the source of the river lay to the east, which is the direction where the sunrise can be seen, the name Asahikawa, or "Rising Sun River" was born.
However, there were many counter arguments and objections raised to Mr. Nagata's proposed name. Some people said that in Ainu, the name was actually "Chuupetsu" meaning, "fast river".
Others argued that it was "Chiupetsu" meaning "turbulent river", or that the pronunciation was Chukupetsu, meaning "river in autumn" (when there were many salmon ascending the river).
Even if the name Asahikawa was actually a mistranslation of the original Ainu name,
it seems a fitting name for a city that holds an interesting and mysterious history.

<The bridge called "Division Bridge" during WWII - Asahi Bashi>
A famous poet often associated with Asahikawa, Hideo Oguma, wrote a poem for the Hokkaido Asahikawa Newspaper's series on "true symbols of Asahikawa" in June 1938 .
His piece, entitled "Impressions of Asahi Bashi" can be seen today inscribed on a monument to him in Asahikawa's central Tokiwa Park.

Asahi bashi bridge lives alongside the town, shares in its 100 or so year history, and is a true landmark for all of Hokkaido.
Perhaps another reason that Asahi bashi is so important to the people of Asahikawa
is the beautiful view that you can see from the bridge. In the distance, you can see the towering snow-capped peaks of the Taisetsu mountain range, while the wide, deep Ishikari river swirls below.

The first Asahi bashi was completed in 1904 (although there was a temporary bridge in that location from 1892),
and it has remained unchanged since it was rebuilt in 1932 with steel imported from Germany. Of course, the bridge has had necessary repairs and painting work done
over the years, but the structure and appearance remain untouched
as a reminder of the bridge's profound history and importance to the town.

The road that runs from the bridge to Asahikawa's main station was once called "Division Street",
but after World War II and the Pacific war ended, the street was renamed "Heiwa-dori" or "Peace Street".
Asahikawa does have a long historical involvement with the army, and its history can be traced back to the "Tonden" soldiers. The army unit known as the "Tonden" soldiers
was formed in 1875 for the development of Hokkaido. The soldiers settled in the Nagayama area of Asahikawa in 1891,
and in the Higashi Asahikawa area in the following year.
It is said that the two main roles of the Tonden soldiers were to cultivate the land in Hokkaido, and to defend that land,
but it is also said that they received special financial benefits for their terrible hardship. Ten years later, the 7th division of the regular army moved to Asahikawa,
which brought a great deal of new energy and vigour to the town. So much so that the number of men who wanted to enlist in the army and move to the area grew rapidly,
and at one point more than 100 hotels were full of families of men waiting for interviews for enlistment to the army. Over the years, the 7th army division grew
until it became the second division of the Ground Self-Defense Force in 1962, which is how it remains today.
Nowadays, the Ground Self Defense Force remain a formidable force,
but chose to demonstrate their strength and ingenuity in alternative ways, such as by creating the record-breaking
breathtaking giant snow sculpture for the Asahikawa winter festival each year.

<Scenic Streets>
Asahikawa's urban area is neatly divided into a grid pattern by broad, spacious roads. All you need to know is the "Jo" (street) and "Chome" (avenue) of your destination address,
the block system is so simple that even people who have never visited the town before can find their way around with ease. The logical block system that Asahikawa is based on
was devised about 110 years ago by a doctor of engineering who graduated from New York University.
The plan was so well constructed, that buildings including government offices, schools, factories, and railroads were all anticipated and planned for before construction.

<Dream of Kamikawa's Imperial Villa>
In 1886, the first Governor of Hokkaido, Iwamura Michitoshi described his thoughts on the future
development of the Kamikawa area. However, his largest problem was with encouraging people to move to the area. Then in 1889, Nagayama Takeshiro
proposed the creation of a "northern capital" in the Kamikawa area to turn people's interest
to Hokkaido. The government was initially against the proposal,
but after changing the proposal to create an imperial villa in Kamikawa,
the proposal was speedily accepted. Research was conducted from the following year, and the planned site including the Kamikawa shrine was created as "Kaguraoka",
which was included in the entire area of the Imperial estate (which is still named "Goryouchi" or "imperial estate" today). However, the construction of the imperial villa
reached a deadlock due to opposition from Sapporo, and was never completed.
Inside the precincts of Kamikawa shrine, there is a sign that indicates the historical site on which the imperial villa was planned,
and a poem written by Nagayama Takeshiro depicting the event.
Takeshiro's plan to create a capital in the north was lost, but it is said that the area of Asahikawa called Nagayama was named after him.

<The Birthplace of Hokkaido Skiing>
In February 1912, an Austrian army officer Lieutenant Colonel Ralhi stepped off a train onto the main platform in Asahikawa station. He was
there to teach skiing to the 7th Army division of Asahikawa. In those days, skiers would use only one pole,
and despite being rather bewildered by it all, the officers of the 7th Army division recorded
that they enjoyed their first skiing experience. Ralhi stayed in Asahikawa until September of that year,
but thanks to his former students the popularity of skiing soon spread throughout Hokkaido and became an indispensable part of winter life,
and it also began to develop as a new sport.
In praise of Ralhi's achievements, there are two monuments to him in Asahikawa.
One, which is "the birthplace monument of Hokkaido skiing", can be found in Takasagodai, and the other is a bronze statue of Ralhi which can be found in front of the main entrance to Asahikawa airport.