- The perfect adventure travel
destination - Adventure Travel
in Hokkaido - Hokkaido offers natural wonders such as the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko and drift ice, nature-based activities that people of all ages can enjoy, and the traditions of the indigenous Ainu people, as well as the culture of the early pioneering communities.
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- Your introduction to a new
adventure - Hokkaido’s
great north - The most northern tip of Hokkaido, served by Wakkanai Airport, is one of the least explored areas in the prefecture – and indeed, Japan. Featuring a view of Eastern Russia on a good day, the nature you will find here is rugged but impressive and is thus perfect for the more adventurous type. To get you started, we have compiled a short list of three activities that serve as an introduction to this unique area. For consistency’s sake, this selection is best enjoyed in the summer month, and will take you along the northern coast and to the nearby Rishiri and Rebun Islands.
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- Celebrate Ainu heritage through
music, art, and storytelling - Ainu Culture
- Many people with interest in Japan’s history will have heard of the Ainu, the native inhabitants of the country’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. While Hokkaido was annexed and became part of Japan in 1869, the Ainu have a history of living in the lands around the Sea of Okhotsk (some of which are presently Russian territory) that is at least 1,000 years older. Similar to many other settler countries such as the USA, Canada or Australia, the relationship between the indigenous Ainu and the colonizers coming from mainland Japan has been complicated – especially immediately following annexation and up to the Second World War.
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WONDER AROUNDHOKKAIDO
Guiding your trip to new adventures in Japan
Traverse powerful landscapes and explore
Hokkaido's cultural depth
Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido is also its largest.
Hokkaido's vast, sweeping landscapes and cultural history will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Japan's varied diasporas.
Outdoor adventures, scenic wintertime excursions and meaningful experiences
with Japan's indigenous people are just a few of the reasons Hokkaido is such a wonderful destination.
Nature
Experience vast natural beauty like never before
Japan's nature is world-renowned and, as Japan's largest prefecture, Hokkaido is home to a compelling world of breathtaking beauty. Through ocean adventures or exploring natural environments and primeval forests on awe-inspiring hikes, Hokkaido will not disappoint the adventurous traveler.
Culture
Learn firsthand about Hokkaido's unique culture and history
Steeped in Japanese historical significance, Hokkaido is a hotspot for cultural discovery. This includes Zen meditation tutorials that give visitors and enhanced understanding of mindfulness, as well as a wealth of experiences focused on the Ainu indigenous peoples and their traditions. Both experiences provide fascinating insights into how Hokkaido has been shaped over the centuries. Also, the annual Sapporo Snow Festival was originally founded in the 1950s, and through an incredible display of ice sculptures and wintertime delights, it remains one of Hokkaido's greatest cultural attractions.
Activity
Wintertime experiences to invigorate and refresh
Hokkaido's northern location makes it a snowy wonderland during the winter months. Visitors here can enjoy world-class powder on epic ski and snowboarding slopes, while volcanic and rugged terrain provides once-in-a-lifetime encounters with stunning flora and fauna. Afterwards, a proper soak in natural hot springs will revitalize travelers after a long day of travel.
Hokkaido in the News
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Embrace the Zen: Retreat to Japan’s Natural Wonders
National Geographic
Japan is a whimsical amalgamation of high-tech modernity and historic charm steeped in nature. Just a train journey from a bustling metropolis, travelers are greeted by the splendor of Japan’s majestic mountains, exquisite flower gardens, and enchanting forests. These tranquil landscapes, particularly in hidden-gem locales within Hokkaido, Ehime, and Hiroshima, provide the perfect settings for a rejuvenating wellness retreat. Guided by Zen traditions and cultural wisdoms, these small towns, villages, cities, and islands may hold the secret to greater longevity, as well as a holistic rejuvenation of the body, mind, and spirit.
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Embark on High-Altitude Adventure in Breathtaking Japan
Travel + Leisure
Japan’s mountainous landscape means it’s the land of many beautiful vistas. To truly see all Japan has to offer, visitors should aim high. Fill your travel itinerary with thrilling high-altitude adventures, scenic treks, historic mountain villages, and panoramic perspectives in some of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes.
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Hokkaido adventures: Exploring Japan’s great northern treasure
BBC
Rugged, beautiful, untamed and steeped in a unique culture, the island of Hokkaido in north Japan has emerged as an incredible destination for lovers of travel, adventure and the great outdoors. In the winter, it can be snow-bound and wild, perfect for skiing and bathing in natural onsen, while the summer months are suited to hiking mountains and wading through stunning kaleidoscopic fields of colourful flowers.
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Discover Japan: Due North and Into the Wild
CNN
The northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is known for its pristine natural landscapes and hosts six of the country’s 34 national parks, ensuring the further preservation of its flora and fauna.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido's vast, sweeping landscapes and cultural history will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Japan's varied diasporas. Outdoor adventures, scenic wintertime excursions and meaningful experiences with Japan's indigenous people are just a few of the reasons Hokkaido is such a wonderful destination.
Hokkaido
Tohoku
Greater Tokyo
Central Japan
Kansai
San'in
Setouchi
Shikoku
Kyushu
Okinawa
