Hokkaido is home to about 5.3 million people and is the second largest island in Japan with an area of 83,450 ㎢ and the 21st one in the world. Located in the northernmost part of Japan, it is a place with world-famous winter sports attractions such as Niseko, where you can spend the summer comfortably and enjoy the high-quality powder snow "JAPOW" (* 1) in the winter. The four seasons are clear due to the distinction in the climate of the year, and you can enjoy the natural scenery of the flowers and autumn leaves in each season, as well as footpath and birdwatching

* 1 "Japow" is a coined word that combines "Japan" and "Powder snow".

Indigenous people "Ainu"

In areas such as the northern region of the Japanese archipelago, particularly Hokkaido, people called "Ainu" who have their own language and culture, are indigenous. In Hokkaido, activities to pass on their traditionalization to the next generation are continuing. In July 2020, the national center "Upopoy", centered on the National Ainu Museum, has opened in Shiraoi Town, and now become a symbol of the reconstruction of Ainu culture.

*Photo is for image only
© The Foundation for Ainu Culture

Hokkaido's food and sightseeing

The agricultural and livestock industry, which has a large area of land, is thriving. The amount of cultivated land is 1/4 of the total amount of Japanese land, and the amount of milk produced is more than 50% of the total amount of Japanese food. Names of Hokkaido's places such as "HOKKAIDO" and "TOKACHI region" become safe and secure food brands. Dairy product brands with these names are getting more popular not only in Japan but also in Asia. Surrounded by the sea, Hokkaido is blessed with marine products, and many tourists visit Hokkaido for the purpose of diverse tourism. With its natural, idyllic rural scenery and hot springs, the number of tourists visiting from overseas reaches 3.2 million annually.

Sake in Hokkaido

The alcoholic drinks that you can enjoy with the food are also a great attraction of "Hokkaido". With a climate suitable for large-scale cultivation of barley and beer brewing, Hokkaido has a Japanese beer industry as a large beer producing area. Japan's unique sake or rice wine is also brewed in various areas, and the sake that has been elaborated by each brewery has fruitful compatibility with Japanese food, which is registered as an intangible world heritage site. In addition, the cultivation volume of grapes for winemaking is the largest in Japan, and there are 35 wineries in Hokkaido, and "Hokkaido wine" is now attracts people. Altogether, Hokkaido’s beer, sake and wine are becoming a nice culture with local foods.

Outdoor Experience in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is rich in nature, and you can enjoy various outdoor sports and activities throughout the year. There are variety of outdoor menu. You can fully enjoy the vast and beautiful nature by camping, trekking, or hiking. You Zmay want to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or fishing in the river or lake. You can also enjoy viewing the landscape from a hot-air balloon or paraglider. In winter, winter sports with Hokkaido’s high quality powder snow is very popular. Many skiers and snowboarders come to Hokkaido from in and out of Japan for its extra dry powder snow. It is one of the biggest charms of Hokkaido that you can experience very different activities in nature in summer and winter.

Obihiro City, which is located in the center of Hokkaido, is the core city of Tokachi region consisting of 1 city and 18 towns or villages. About 165,000 people are living mainly based on agriculture as their core industry. The fertility is very high, and it is positioned as a Japanese food base, and four crops, potato, sugar beet, wheat, and beans, are cultivated as typical crops. Many of Japanese confectionery stores that represent Japan and also Kyoto's specialty product stores in Kyoto, etc. use raw materials from Tokachi, Hokkaido. Although the core industry is agriculture, we are also working on the new technology for environment. Since 2008, the city has been selected as an environmental model city with 23 designated locations nationwide, and research on hydrogen energy etc. is now being conducted. In recent years, space development focusing on rockets and the spaceport concept have been promoted, and various efforts from agriculture to space development are being carried out, making it a region unlike any other in Japan.

Various types of food

As well as agricultural products such as wheat, Obihiro City is a region where dairy farming is thriving. So, livestock products such as cheese and other dairy products and sausages show high-productivity. Among all, confectionery attracts attention and the city is so called "sweets kingdom". From large Hokkaido's leading confectionery makers to small confectionery stores, many sweets stores offer sweets with high quality. What is characteristic is that a large proportion of all use "local products". This is the real power of Obihiro and Tokachi.

Mall hot spring

It is an alkaline hot spring containing humic acid derived from peat (lignite), and is expected to have an effect similar to that of European moor baths. This Moor hot spring, which originated from ancient plants, was selected as a Hokkaido heritage site in 2004.

Heavily-built horse race "Banei" competition

The alcoholic drinks that you can enjoy with the food are also a great attraction of "Hokkaido". With a climate suitable for large-scale cultivation of barley and beer brewing, Hokkaido has a Japanese beer industry as a large beer producing area. Japan's unique sake or rice wine is also brewed in various areas, and the sake that has been elaborated by each brewery has fruitful compatibility with Japanese food, which is registered as an intangible world heritage site. In addition, the cultivation volume of grapes for winemaking is the largest in Japan, and there are 35 wineries in Hokkaido, and "Hokkaido wine" is now attracts people. Altogether, Hokkaido’s beer, sake and wine are becoming a nice culture with local foods.