Located in the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa is the island's second largest city after Sapporo. The city is not known as a leading tourist destination, but its zoo, Asahiyama Zoo, is among Japan's best and most popular. The local noodle dish, Asahikawa Ramen, is also quite well known. The Asahikawa Winter Festival is Hokkaido's second largest winter festival after Sapporo's Snow Festival. The festival takes place over a week in early February, about the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival. Hence, it is possible for winter visitors to visit both festivals on the same trip as the two cities are only an 80-minute train ride apart from each other.