Visiting Hokkaido: Japan’s Wild North

If you're looking to take a trip to somewhere truly exotic, then you may want to visit the Japanese island of Hokkaido. This is the country's northernmost island and offers landscapes and cultures you won't find anywhere else in the world. Calling it East Asia’s Scandinavia is an understatement.

What do you need to know if you're taking a trip to Japan's wild north and its largest prefecture? How can you enjoy its untouched wilderness and world-class powder snow? While Honshu is Japan's largest island, Hokkaido follows as the second-largest, offering a distinct experience. Here's everything you need to know.

There are two seasons

If you're planning a visit to Hokkaido, it's worth thinking about the season that you want to travel in. Generally speaking, there are two seasons in Hokkaido: summer and winter. Summer is the shorter of the two and lasts from June to August. While the rest of Japan is sweltering and hot, Hokkaido remains relatively cool and dry and feels like a refreshing place to visit. Many people hike in the Daisetsu-zan National Park or go to the rolling hills of Furano.

The winter season is much longer and attracts people from all over the world to enjoy the island's winter sports. Skiing and snowboarding are big pastimes here, and the powder is often fresh and light.

There are some top destinations

Another thing you should know about Hokkaido is that it has some impressive destinations. While the island is significantly less populated than Japan's main island, it still has its fair share of cities.

Many people head to Odori Park Sapporo. This park sits right in the middle of one of Japan's most relaxed and laid-back cities, offering a completely different vibe from the non-stop rush of Tokyo and Yokohama.

Another option if you're coming for the snow is Niseko. This is a globally renowned ski resort praised for its infrastructure and English-friendly environment.

Hakodate, on the southern tip of the island, is the historic port city known for its European-influenced architecture. While such influence is a notable and unique feature of Hakodate, it remains a rare sight in much of the rest of Japan. It's considered to have one of the best nightscapes in all of Japan.

There are some great places to eat

You might think that Tokyo is Japan's culinary capital, but most of the city's best food actually comes from Hokkaido's cool climate and nutrient-rich surrounding oceans.

Hokkaido's waters are famous for their fantastic seafood, and there's a local dish called Seafood Rice Bowl that's served at morning markets in the major towns and cities on the island. Try the sea urchin, crab, and salmon roe if you can for a sweet, rich, and remarkably fresh flavor.

Hokkaido also produces most of Japan's milk because of its latitude. The region is not suitable for arable farming, so it has a large population of cattle who graze the island's grasslands. It's what produces Japan's milk, butter, and cheese, so don't leave it without trying some soft-serve ice cream.

Lastly, make sure you try Hokkaido's miso ramen.

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