Travel Apr 20, 2018

Fly-fishing in the remote reaches of Hokkaido

Akan National Park is renowned for some of the best fly-fishing in all Japan, and anglers can expect plentiful, seasonal catch.

Travel Mar 16, 2018

Canoeing with a twist on Hokkaido's volcanic Lake Kussharo

To experience the best of canoeing in Japan, many choose Hokkaido for its wide-open spaces and relatively easy access to wilderness. Hokkaido boasts six national parks, 12 prefectural parks, and countless wetlands and undisturbed forests. Lake Kussharo is in Akan National Park and is ...

Travel Feb 23, 2018

Sapporo: Famous for its snow, but a delight in green

Sapporo balances a vibrant city feel with the quieter reprieves of lush parks, dense forests and meandering trails that speak to Hokkaido's nature-centric reputation. One minute you're fighting crowds at a fish market and the next you're listening to birds chirping in the Japanese ...

Food & Drink Dec 16, 2017

Hokkaido's unique konbu dials up the umami to 12

Fisherman Kazuaki Ida entered the No Borders Cafe in Rausu just as we were finishing cups of hot coffee on a rainy Hokkaido afternoon. He held giant flat-leaved stalks that scraped against each other like hard plastic, garnering appreciative "ahs" of recognition among the ...