city, Hokkaido, Japan. It lies along the Ishikari River in the agriculturally important Kamikawa Basin. Settled in 1889 and organized as a village in 1893, Asahikawa became the railway, marketing, and industrial centre of northern Hokkaido. Its industries include brewing and the manufacture of pulp, paper, wood chemicals, and cotton yarn. Asahikawa also serves as the entrance to Daisetsuzan National Park. It is linked to Sapporo by rail. The Ainu reservation of Chikabuni is nearby. Pop. (2005) 355,004.