| Known for it's vast open spaces and breathtaking | | | | Travelers who long for the comforts of the city will |
| vistas, Japan's second largest island of Hokkaido | | | | eventually make their way to Sapporo, the capital of |
| offers visitors the ideal place to escape the | | | | Hokkaido and Japan's youngest major city. Upon |
| confinements of life in the city and reconnect with a | | | | arriving they may be surprised to see the North |
| more natural way of life. With the island representing | | | | American style rectangular street system, which |
| only five percent of the population of Japan, | | | | was built in accordance to foreign engineer's guidance |
| Hokkaido is one of the last wilderness areas | | | | during the Meiji Period when the capital was still in it's |
| remaining in the country, and is home to many | | | | infancy. The city also has a reputation for it's |
| national parks attracting an array of outdoor | | | | delicious seafood, and is home to some of the |
| enthusiasts, from skiers and snowboarders, to | | | | country's finest beer and sake. In addition, the |
| cyclists, hikers, and campers. One of the most | | | | Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter |
| popular destinations for those wishing to explore the | | | | events, attracts thousands of visitors every year |
| ultimate outdoor experience is Daisetsuzan National | | | | who come to view the hundreds of exquisite ice |
| park, Hokkaido's largest. Consisting of a densely | | | | and snow sculptures which line Odori Park. South of |
| forested area, it's unspoiled wilderness provides | | | | Sapporo lies Hokkaido's third largest city Hakodate. |
| hikers an opportunity to see abundant wild life. Also | | | | This city is a favorite among tourists who wish to |
| not to be missed is Shiretoko National park located | | | | experience the spectacular views that can seen from |
| on Shiretoko Peninsula. Reputed to be Japan's most | | | | nearby Mount Hakodate. The city was also one of |
| beautiful and unspoiled national park, it's also | | | | the first harbors in Japan to be opened to |
| considered one of the most remote, resulting in a | | | | international trade, and the western influence of that |
| variety of animals inhabiting the area, including brown | | | | era still lingers at places like Motamachi, the former |
| bears, deer, and fox. Other attractions in the park | | | | residential area of foreign traders, and Fort |
| include Kamuiwakka Falls, which provides a natural hot | | | | Goryokakau, Japan's first Western style fortress. |
| spring basin at the base of the waterfall which can | | | | Most travelers visiting Hokkaido arrive by air, landing |
| be enjoyed by hikers wishing to take a relaxing bath | | | | at New Chitose Airport south of Sapporo. Another |
| in a spectacular setting. Those looking for a less | | | | mode of transportation that has been somewhat |
| strenuous trek can take advantage of the | | | | neglected recently because of cheaper airline fares |
| picturesque “Shiretoko Five Lake” region, | | | | now available, is the Seikan Tunnel, which connects |
| where easily accessed trails leading around the five | | | | Honshu with Hokkaido via a 33 mile railway tunnel, a |
| lakes offer hikers an excellent view | | | | great portion of it running beneath the seabed. |
| of the surrounding countryside. | | | | |