Includes FREE planning and background information. Comprising one-fifth of the country’s total land mass, yet home to only 5% of the population, Hokkaidô is where all of your preconceived notions of Japan will be shattered. A frozen hinterland with a wild frontier spirit, Hokkaidô is defined by everything that Japan’s southern islands are not. Aside from a few major cities, the untamed north country is a hauntingly beautiful wilderness, on par with the Canadian Rockies or New Zealand’s South Island. For the thrill-seeking traveller in search of sweeping vistas, amazing wildlife, wide open roads and overwhelming emptiness, Hokkaidô is a refreshing contrast to the often claustrophobic density of Honshû. From November to March, a Siberian cold descends on the island, providing some of the best skiing in both Japan and the eastern hemisphere. When Hokkaidô thaws, and the bears awaken from their hibernation, the island lures hikers in search of rugged backcountry terrain and remote onsen (hot springs).
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