What makes Hokkaido unique?

The first unique element of Hokkaido's history is that hunting, fishing and gathering remained essential parts of life, even after agricultural societies had begun to develop in Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. It could be said Hokkaido's history took a different course from the rest of mainland Japan as a result of this.



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Hokkaido is well-known for its dairy products—milk, butter, cheese, yogurt—thanks to its sweeping countryside. Kitaichi Garashu Kan, a restaurant in Otaru, specifically sells seven flavors of rainbow ice cream throughout the four seasons.

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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 province comprises about one-fifth of Japan's total land area. It is characterized by a cool climate and geologically recent mountains and volcanoes along a central north-south spine. Sapporo is the province's industrial, commercial, and tourist centre. Hokkaido University, founded in 1876, is located there.

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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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In addition to the mountains, urban areas such as Sapporo and Asahikawa are also shrouded in snow, and roads become covered with a layer of ice. January and February are the coldest months, during which the central and northern parts of Hokkaido experience heavy snowfall. Snowfall can continue until early May.

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Most of Japan's volcanoes are found in Hokkaido, the Tohoku, Kanto and Chubu regions, and on Kyushu, while comparatively fewer are found in the Kansai, Shikoku and Chugoku regions. Mount Fuji is the tallest and most famous volcano in Japan.

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The relaxed, cool and spacious vibe of Hokkaido contrasts so differently to the hustle and bustle of Japan's megacity capital. Hokkaido frequently tops the charts for the most attractive prefecture in Japan — scoring 73.4 in 2021 on the Regional Brand Survey — in comparison, Tokyo scored fourth, with 47.5.

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