Hokkaido

Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's four main islands. It is known for its cold, snowy winters and cool summers. Hokkaido has wide open landscapes, volcanic mountains, and beautiful national parks. The island is famous for its snow festivals, hot springs, and delicious seafood.

Land and People

About 5.2 million people live in Hokkaido. The capital and largest city is Sapporo. Hokkaido has active volcanoes, large lakes, and vast forests. The island is much less crowded than the rest of Japan. Lavender fields in Furano are a popular summer attraction.

Culture and Fun Facts

The Sapporo Snow Festival attracts millions of visitors who come to see enormous sculptures made of snow and ice. Hokkaido is known for its ramen noodles, fresh crab, and dairy products. The Ainu people are the indigenous people of Hokkaido with their own unique culture and language. Hokkaido hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics.

Fun Facts

• The Sapporo Snow Festival features huge snow and ice sculptures, some as tall as buildings.
• Hokkaido produces about half of all the milk in Japan.
• The Ainu people of Hokkaido have a unique culture that is different from the rest of Japan.

Did You Know?

The Sapporo Snow Festival uses about 30,000 truckloads of snow to create its amazing sculptures. Some of the snow sculptures are as tall as five-story buildings.