Why Should you Tour Hokkaido?
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Why Should you Tour Hokkaido?
Among the main islands of Japan, Hokkaido is often one of Japan Deluxe Tours most requested private tour destinations for the lush wildlife, scenic nature hiking spots, delicious seafood Japanese cuisine, and amazing culture. Home to the Ainu, the native indigenous people of Japan, Hokkaido is a treasure trove of sights and history to explore along Japan's final frontier. Home to popular Japanese breweries and delectable meals, Hokkaido is a beautiful destination for the seasoned Japan traveler.
Interested in a Hokkaido Tour but not sure it's worth picking over a Golden Route Tour or cherry blossom vacation? Here are four great reasons to consider Hokkaido for your next holiday getaway:
1) Hiking, Wildlife & Natural Scenery
With Japanese gardens, the samurai arts and history in Kyoto, and the booming metropolis that is Tokyo, Japan is filled with amazing sights and sounds to enjoy from your vacation's start to finish. While the charms of the city are always appealing, the island to the north is a magical escape from the loud cities.
The island is much cooler than the rest of Japan, experiencing milder summers and snowy winters. During the warmer months, Hokkaido is a paradise for scenic hiking and to see the native wildlife of Hokkaido. As a former home to the Winter Olympics, Hokkaido is the perfect getaway destination for snowboarding and skiing. Nature photographers can enjoy a cruise along Shiretoko to catch stunning shots of the local cranes and bears, or of the roaring waterfalls and cliff sides.
2) Japanese Seafood Cuisine
As a part of the country that boasts some of the best seafood around the world, Hokkaido's Japanese seafood cuisine is essential for any sushi foodie who think's they've had the best sushi in Tokyo. While Tsukiji Fish Market is filled with amazing sushi chefs and delicious cuts, the seafood in Hokkaido is considered some of the freshest in all Japan.
When traveling along Hokkaido, many of the rest stops (michi-no-eki) serve incredible kaisen-don (seafood bowls) filled with fresh, local seafood and regional produce. While fish is a big staple in the Japanese peoples' diet, no other area in Japan serves seafood as fresh as in Hokkaido. In fact, many of Japan Deluxe Tours previous Hokkaido tour participants rave on about the delicious meals enjoyed during their vacation. The only complaints came from those who were allergic to seafood, but we think we can let that slide.
3) Seasonal Festivals
While the natural scenery of Hokkaido is stunning, the festivals and events brighten up Hokkaido into a magical, colorful paradise. During the Spring, Hokkaido's Sapporo city is home to the Flower Carpet Event. This festive Japanese flower festival is a three-day event based on the Flower Carpet biennial event in Brussels, Belgium. The event brings around 500 volunteers to decorate the paved brick road in front of the Former Hokkaido Government building.
While the Spring has the carpet festival, the winter is home to another can't miss Japanese festival, the Sapporo Snow Festival. Held during the winter months, the Sapporo Snow Festival is marked with lavish ice and snow sculptures showcasing Japanese traditional and pop culture. Both events are made better with the use of illumination lighting at night, the perfect destination for photos or to bring a special someone with you during your travels.
4) Home of the Ainu
Although Hokkaido is sometimes referred as Japan's Final Frontier, the island is home to the indigenous people of Japan, the Ainu. Ainu (which means Person in the indigenous language) culture was once lost after the Japanese settled onto Hokkaido and began the forced assimilation with Japanese culture. There's now a new movement to bring back and preserve the Ainu culture, which can be enjoyed at various Ainu villages and museums on the island. Similar to the extensive history of the United State's Native Americans, the way of the Ainu captivate and fascinate local and international travelers alike with their rich history in Japan.
Interested in Hokkaido?
Boasting so much to do and amazing flavors to enjoy, Hokkaido is a popular vacation destination for locals and foreign travelers alike. Want to visit Hokkaido? Japan Deluxe Tours offers our fully guided Hokkaido Tour year-round, or ask your travel agent about arranging an affordable custom private tour to explore the northern island your way.