Discovering the Hidden Beauty of Japan’s Northern Island of Hokkaido
Paris, France – The 2024 Olympic Games have officially begun in Paris, but there is another corner of the world that is waiting to be explored. While many people are familiar with the famous cities of Japan such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, there is so much more to this nation than just its bustling metropolises.
The island of Hokkaido, located in the northernmost part of Japan, offers a rugged and untouched beauty that most visitors never get to experience. With its snow-capped mountains, vast forests of black pine, and surrounded by the sea, Hokkaido has a unique charm that sets it apart from the rest of the country.
Hokkaido, roughly the same size as Austria, is home to just 5.2 million residents, giving it a completely different feel from the bustling cities of Japan. It is famous for its incredible seafood, including local delicacies such as snow crab and sea urchin. The local diet also includes dishes like ‘Genghis Khan’ style spiced mutton and dairy products.
One of the reasons why Hokkaido is a must-visit destination is because of its varied climate, with four distinct seasons and a rich natural environment. Visitors can experience cherry blossoms in spring, lavender and sunflowers in summer, rich red autumn leaves, and world-class powder snow in winter.
The Hokkaido Tourism Organisation is determined to promote the lesser-known but equally beautiful destinations on the island. One of their top recommendations is the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rare and wonderful wildlife. Visitors can witness brown bears playing in the surf, killer whales cresting from the waves, and the iconic Japanese red crane thriving in its unique ecosystem.
Aside from its natural beauty, Hokkaido is also known for its wine production. The cool climate is ideal for growing fruit, and wines such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Merlot are produced and enjoyed with great enthusiasm.
Like much of Japan, Hokkaido is volcanically active, which creates rejuvenating hot springs. Visitors can relax and soak away their aches and pains in spa towns like Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Jozankei, and Lake Akan.
For winter sports enthusiasts, Hokkaido is a dream destination. It boasts some of the best powder snow in the world, and the central mountains are home to incredible ski resorts. After a day on the slopes, visitors can indulge in fresh-caught seafood while luxuriating in an open-air hot spring. Hokkaido is also the host of the Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the biggest snow festivals in the world, attracting around 2.5 million visitors every year.
The Hokkaido Tourism Organisation has recently opened five dedicated tourist desks across Europe, catering to the growing interest in the island. They will be exhibiting at the International & French Travel Market in Paris this September and look forward to welcoming visitors to their stand.
“We at the Hokkaido Tourism Organisation love Hokkaido so much that we have opened five dedicated tourist desks across Europe. We will soon start to send out a variety of content, so please stay tuned! Our friendly local representatives will be happy to assist with any queries,” said a representative from the organisation.
For more information, please contact info@hokkaidojapan.uk. Hokkaido Rep Head Office UK: 85-87 Bayham St, London, NW1 0AG Hokkaido Rep Office France: 16 Rue Raymond Marcheron, 92170 Vanves Hokkaido Rep Office Germany: Maximilianstraße 29, 80539 München Hokkaido Rep Office Spain: Calle Gran Via 51, Planta1-B 28013 Madrid Hokkaido Rep Office Italy: Via Daniele Manin, 69 00185 Roma
Don’t miss the chance to discover the hidden beauty of Hokkaido and meet the representatives at the International & French Travel Market in Paris from September 17th to 19th. The Hokkaido Japan stand will have more information and details to share about this enchanting destination. Mark your calendars and come say hi!
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.