What is special about Hokkaido?

Hokkaido is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in winter, thanks to its abundant powder snow and top resorts like Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano. Sapporo, Hokkaido's main city, famous for Sapporo beer, Sapporo ramen and the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.



Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, is special for its untamed wilderness, world-class powder snow, and unique culinary identity. Unlike the densely packed, humid cities of Honshu, Hokkaido offers a rugged landscape of volcanic peaks, ancient forests, and sprawling flower fields that bloom in vibrant colors during the summer. It is the home of the indigenous Ainu people, and visitors in 2026 can explore their rich cultural heritage through museums and traditional villages. For winter sports enthusiasts, the Niseko and Rusutsu regions offer "Japow" (Japan Powder), considered some of the best skiing snow on Earth due to cold winds blowing from Siberia. Hokkaido is also the "food bowl" of Japan; it is famous for the highest quality seafood (especially crab and sea urchin), creamy dairy products, and its own unique "Sapporo-style" miso ramen. Its capital, Sapporo, is known for the world-famous Snow Festival and its namesake brewery. It offers a spacious, outdoor-centric version of Japan that feels distinctively different from Tokyo or Kyoto, making it a "must-visit" for nature lovers and foodies alike.

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Hokkaido has had a different history from that of the rest of Japan. In sharp contrast to Japan's mainland, where a farming-based culture thrived from early on, Hokkaido maintained Jomon culture characterized by hunting and fishing until about 2,000 years ago, which was then followed by Ainu culture.

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Hokkaido's mild summers provide relief from Japan's humidity, and the perfect conditions for hiking and exploring the many National Parks. Much of Hokkaido is wild and unspoiled, with natural hot springs, volcanic lakes and unforgettable experiences.

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Hokkaido represents a chance to experience wide-open spaces, sensational scenery, fresh food, clean air and crystal waters in a very friendly, safe, courteous and respectful culture.

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If you use the Hokkaido Shinkansen, which opened in 2016, you will arrive at Sapporo Station in about four and a half hours, when traveling from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station. From Hakodate, Sapporo is a further three and a half hours by express train.

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Languages spoken The Ainu language (spoken in Hokkaido) is critically endangered as a language, and only 15 people identified as speaking in in the late 1990s. Korean is spoken by 0.5% Population and Chinese about 0.2%. Some people may speak English in the major cities but it's not a given.

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Hokkaido is underpopulated, so has huge empty spaces for walking. With mountains up to 2,100m, there is plenty of challenge. There is a huge selection of remarkable walks in Hokkaido, from demanding mountain climbs and long treks to meanders through gorgeous but gentler scenery.

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Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's four main islands and the largest of the country's 47 prefectures.

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Hokkaido accounts for over 20% of the country's total land area but only 4% of its population, making it the least densely populated of Japan's 47 prefectures. Its large land area, cold, snowy winters, and widely scattered communities are features that make it unique in Japan.

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Hokkaido is renowned for the high quality and freshness of its seafood, as the cold waters surrounding Japan's northernmost prefecture are ideal for fish and sea vegetation. Within the prefecture some areas are particularly famous for a certain product, such as the uni (sea urchin) of Rishiri and Rebun.

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What to Eat in Sapporo: Specialty Foods
  • Soup Curry.
  • Jingisukan (“Genghis Khan”)
  • Miso Ramen (Sapporo Ramen)
  • Butter Corn Ramen.
  • Ishikari Nabe.
  • Kaisendon & Sushi.
  • Zangi (Hokkaido-style Chicken Karaage)
  • Sapporo Beer.


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