Here is the list of my top-ten favorite Hokkaido hikes:

To learn more about the hikes, either contact me or google the name of the mountain.

10) Shokanbetsu-dake (Easy to Moderate, flowers, possible traverse)
9) Asahi-dake (Easy to Hard depending on use of the ropeway, crowded, highest mountain in Hokkaido)
8) Kogane-dake (Moderate, short but very steep, a little known climb near the village of Hamamasu, dramatic narrow summit ridge)
7) Rausu-dake (Moderate to Hard, the most popular climb in the Shiretoko World Heritage wilderness)
6) Tokachi-dake (Moderate, a very active volcano, surreal landscape)
5) Yotei-zan (Moderate to Hard, a less active volcano, shaped like Mt. Fuji, great hut at the top, near Niseko Resort)
4) Shiretoko-dake (Very Hard, you almost need a guide to reach this magical peak at the end of the Shiretoko Peninsula, great views of disputed Russian island.)
3) Ashibetsu-dake (Moderate to Hard, a tough but beautiful climb that is rarely crowded)
2) Quwannai-gawa Trail Into Daistsuzan (Extremely Hard, I don't have words for the beauty, no English information available, do not attempt without a Guide)
1) Rishiri-zan - (Moderate to Hard, a jagged island mountain in the far North, views to Russian island of Sakhalin)

There you have it.

To learn more about the mountains of Hokkaido and why I like them read my "Hokkaido Mountain Huts" article.

Link:

http://matadortravel.com/travel-writing/japan/element/snowbound-april-fools-hokkaido-mountain-huts

Also see Ryan Libre's excellent website www.idioimagers.org for photos from Hokkaido Mountains and a practical guide to hiking in Daisetsuzan National Park.

My homepage is www.rucksackwanderer.com