destination practicalities
A first-time guide to Hokkaidō, JapanOct 3, 2023 • 8 min read
Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaidō, is best known globally as a ski and snowboard destination. Plan your trip with this first-timer's guide.
Hokkaido Travel Stories
- skiingHow to have a winter adventure in Hokkaido
Nov 6, 2019 • 4 min read
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and in winter it becomes a snowy wonderland. Find out how to make the most of Hokkaido in winter.
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foodMeet the dog that runs a sweet potato stand in Japan
Oct 4, 2019 • 4 min read
Ken-kun is an up-and-comer in Japan’s food stand game. In this dog-eat-dog world, Ken-kun’s cuteness may put him at an advantage.
- foodBest things to do in summer in Japan
Jun 21, 2019 • 5 min read
Summer in much of Japan is hot and can be unrelentingly humid, but it’s also the season for top festivals, mass folk dancing, mountain hikes, and enjoying…
- wildlife and natureEastern Hokkaidō: adventures on the edge of Japan
Dec 12, 2017 • 5 min read
Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaidō is best known for two things: winter sports and Sapporo beer. But the little-known eastern side of the island is a…
- beachesA guide to romantic Japan: where to eat, stay, love
Jun 15, 2017 • 7 min read
Manga comics, blazing neon, speeding trains, supersized pedestrian crossings – Japan might not immediately inspire a vision of traditional romance, but…
- foodHokkaidō road trip: exploring Japan's wild north
Jan 5, 2016 • 7 min read
With its wide-open spaces, national parks, active volcanoes, forests of silvery beech, forlorn coastlines and remote fishing towns, Hokkaidō is ideal for…
