Editor’s note: The following articles and photos were written by students at the Hokkaido International School in Sapporo, as part of a class assignment created in collaboration with Hokkaido Explorer and teacher Colleen Currie, who first contacted me with the idea. View the rest of the student submissions by scrolling down or clicking the links in the list below. Below is a message from Colleen.

-Dan Traylor, editor

The articles from students at Hokkaido International School are a result of the request for submissions via the Insider last fall. I teach social studies at the high school level and thought this would be a great way to connect my students’ knowledge of Hokkaido and also give them a practical application of their experiences in writing. I’ve lived here for the last 3 years and I have tried to explore as much of Hokkaido as I can. This is truly one of the most beautiful places to explore and I can’t wait to continue seeing and learning more. I hope to pass on this curiosity to my students by connecting them with the Hokkaido Explorer. Enjoy and take advantage of this fascinating place!- Colleen Currie, HIS

List of Articles:

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Rusutsu and Niseko: Fun activities for family and friends

By Sun Laohakarniyom

Hokkaido in one of the greatest prefectures of Japan, with its access to a full four seasons over the year. Out of all seasons, summer and winter are the best. During these seasons, the small cities of Rusutsu and Niseko are rich with activities and they are great places to spend time with friends and family. The cities are both a 2-hour drive from Sapporo, and on the way you will see many high mountains and be surrounded by beautiful nature.

Rusutsu is famous for its Rusutsu resorts amusement park including more than 45 rides and plenty of restaurants. During winter season, the park is closed but instead they open a ski resort. They are famous for its powder snow and many unique courses.

Niseko has a ski resort that is the best in Japan. More than half of the tourists that comes to Hokkaido visit Niseko. During summer, There are many mountains that are really beautiful and high.

Lake Toya is really famous within Hokkaido. Around the lake there are many great camping parks, during the camping season the park will be full almost everyday throughout until the season ends.

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Ski and snowboard resorts in Hokkaido

By Hyunchae Na

Even people who do not know much about Hokkaido have heard that it is very snowy and that winter sports are popular. One of the most popular sports is skiing/snowboarding. Personally, I really wanted to go snowboarding before I came to Hokkaido because of its reputation. Since I am in Hokkaido now and went to some of ski/snowboard resorts several times, I would like to introduce some famous resorts in Hokkaido.

1. Niseko
Niseko is probably the most visited ski/snowboard resort in Japan. Also, it attracts a lot of overseas attention due to its guaranteed powder snow and fantastic views of Mt. Yotei.

2. Furano Ski Area
Furano is another famous ski resort that has excellent snow conditions. It has a large Family Snowland which offers family friendly activities such as snow rafting and dog sledding.

3. Teine Ski Resort
Teine ski resort served as the venue of several alpine ski events during the 1972 Sapporo Olympics.

4. Rusutsu
Rusutsu is not far from Niseko. It covers three mountains, each with a variety of long runs with a good mix of groomed trails, great powder and tree runs.

5. Tomamu
Tomamu is placed at central of Hokkaido. There is hotel resort complex that offers pool, hot spring facilities, and multiple hotel buildings.

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Outdoor Adventure: Two stories from Hokkaido’s mountains

By Claudio Neu-Ries

The past three and a half years that I have spent in Hokkaido have definitely been filled with memories and experiences that I will not find anywhere else. Sapporo is a great city, for although it is urban, it does not take long to find yourself completely immersed in stellar scenery, no matter the weather. I think that the two greatest experiences I’ve had living in Hokkaido would be back country snowboarding and hiking the Daisetsuzan mountain ranges.

Snow is definitely something that Hokkaido has really adapted to. They say that Sapporo is a one of a kind city for its ability to really sustain itself with such a heavy snowfall. The snow in the mountains is absolutely fantastic; nowhere else can you find consistent, high quality powder snow. Going back country was definitely an experience to remember. Over our winter holidays, I managed to get a ride with two teachers to the Teine ski slopes. Facing Otaru and the sea, there was definitely a lot of wind, and plenty of snow. I’ve never experienced better snowboarding; getting of the lift, walking under the line, and dropping in into the trees, we were welcomed to a beautiful line. The season generally lasts from December until March, which is plenty of time to snowboard!

Hiking is also something that Hokkaido is known for. A couple of years ago, I went on my first backpacking trip into the Daisetsuzan mountain ranges. Our first day out, we hit rain and heavy winds. After we reached most of the major peaks, we set camp under Asahidake, the highest mountain in Hokkaido, and due to the wind, we were forced to have a dinner inside our tent. However, upon awakening at about five in the morning, I managed to pull myself to the top of the mountain. Although there was no view due to the fog, the feeling of being on the highest point in Hokkaido was quite satisfying.

Another funny hiking tale I would like to add is when I climbed Yotei-zan. We were supposed to go to sleep at 7:00 and wake up at 11:30 at night in order to start our climb in order to reach the summit for sunrise. However, for some reason, I decided it would be a better idea to talk to my friends instead. I took the SAT that same day, hence waking up at five in the morning. By the time I was at the bottom of Youtei, I had been awake for at least thirty to thirty six hours. I was absolutely astonished at I what I could do with no sleep.

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Nana’s Green Tea

By Nana Tabata

Nana’s Green Tea is known as the “Japanese Starbucks.” It was awarded as the No.1 brand among Japanese cafes. It is located in both Odori and Sapporo station. You can experience the new sensation of traditional Japanese sweets, matcha, and western elements such as cereal and soft cream. Unlike many cafes, Nana’s Green Tea also serves actual healthy meals that are equally delicious as their drinks and sweets.

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Yosakoi Soran Festival

By Hugh Kawamura

When you think of Hokkaido, you probably think of winter. The powder snow, the Christmas market and the snow festival. However, summer in Hokkaido is also attractive and enjoyable. The Yosakoi Soran Festival is a dance competition held every June in Sapporo. About 300 teams and 33,000 people dance in lively in colorful costumes with Narukos, a traditional Japanese wooden instrument. People dance to the song Soran, a fisherman song that originated in Hokkaido. The festival lasts for five days, mainly in Odori Park but also in other parts of the city.

This event is one of the two biggest festivals in Sapporo and attracts thousands of people from all over Japan and from the world. Living in Japan for 11 years, I actually have never seen the Yosakoi Festival until last year. Last year, I was invited to help out the festival as a guide for visitors. I was lucky enough to actually see the performers right in front of me. I had never seen such an amazing thing before. The loud voices … the smiles — I was drawn into Yosakoi by everything it had to offer. I wondered why I hadn’t gone to see the performance before. On the last day, after my volunteer work was finished, I went to watch the finals. Although it was a competition, all that mattered to many of them, was having fun. The Yosakoi Soran Festival is one of the most amusing festivals in the world.

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Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu: Your route to cheap day trips

By Ifumi Sato

When you travel around Hokkaido, how to you get around? Do you rent a car? Take a bus? Join a group tour? If you have a lot of time but do not want to spend much money, there is a perfect ticket for you. It’s called Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu and the price is 2200 yen. Travelers are able to enjoy a railway day trip around central Hokkaido and can get off at any station as many times as they want. The ticket can only be used for local trains, but it brings excellent cost performance. There are geographical limits as well: Takikawa to the north, Shintoku to the east, Samani to the south, Oshamambe to the west. Last summer, I traveled to Hidaka using this ticket and I saved more than 4,000 yen. Wow! Here is one of the ways I used this ticket wisely.

June 8, 2013 was a clear morning. I woke up at 4 a.m., ate my breakfast and cycled to JR Naebo station. I headed to the station counter and bought the Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu. The purpose of this trip was to enjoy the landscapes in Hidaka and to explore the stations.

First, I took the train to Tomakomai, and after a one-hour train ride, I arrived at Tomakomai and changed to the Hidaka line. I had another one hour ride along the Pacific coast and I got off at Okaribe station, which was my first destination. Okaribe station is located right next to the ocean, so when the weather is fine, there’s a great view from the station. Unfortunately, the fog was covering up the scenery, but the sound of the waves was pleasing to me.

After I enjoyed the quietness of this station for 30 minutes, the train arrived and I visited Tomikawa station. There was nothing special but the waiting room was new and clean. During my 30 minutes of free time, while standing on the platform, I found an interesting sign. It said that the land is for sale and the government is planning to make a small town around the station. However, most of the land was unused and I wondered who will live in this place.

By the way, what do you have in mind when someone asks about the image of Hokkaido? For me, the images are green fields, the blue sky, and deserted locations. Hidaka-tobetsu station matches this image and it is one of my favorite stations in Hokkaido. However, only seven trains stop at this station per day so it might be difficult to get here. It was already 12:30 and it was my lunch time. I got onto the train and ate the rice balls that I bought beforehand.

On the way to my next destination, I saw some horses, one of the popular features of Hidaka. The weather in Hokkaido can change suddenly. Although the sun had been shining, fog obstructed the view as we got closer to the coast. I hoped that the weather would change again but the fog did not disappear until the end of my trip.

After an hour ride to Seppu station, I walked for 20 minutes to see the amazing wall painting that was created to attract tourists. There is a restaurant under the large artwork so this might be a good place to visit.

Next, I took a 45-minute walk to Niikappu station and then took the train to get to Atsuga station. There is a popular photo taking spot around the Atsubetsu river and I was planning to take a picture of the sunset and the train, but unluckily, the fog was too dense. The Pacific ocean side of Hokkaido is usually foggy in the summer so visitors should not expect to have a nice weather during this time.

When I noticed, the time was already 6:00. I did not want to miss the final train of the day, so I walked back to the station and headed home. On the way back to Sapporo, I was thinking about how Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu is very useful. The total time of this trip was about 14 hours and I was able to visit five places in Hidaka. I also enjoyed the scenery from the train window. However, as I said in the beginning, I only spent 2200 yen for transportation. If you want to travel to as many places in a day without spending much yen, you should consider using Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu.

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Lake Toya: Food for the eyes and stomach

By Zen Sugino

Having lived in Hokkaido for the past 14 years, it seems like my family has familiarized itself with every nook and cranny of the island and have run out of places to visit. Don’t get me wrong, Hokkaido provides eye candy for those who love nature like my family does. However, with mom, dad, and five children, even deciding where to go for vacation can take some time if eye candy is just as scrumptious for the eyes. I’m talking about beautiful scenery as well as mouth-watering food. This can be found at Lake Toya.

Lake Toya was chosen to host the G8 summit a few years back and is definitely a visually appealing place. Food for the eyes. Check! However, upon the road to Toya, our family would always stop by to get some ageimo, which are whole fried potatoes.

After arriving at Toya, we also stop by at the most amazing ice cream shop, which not only has a huge flower garden, but also space to run around and play games. There are also animals such as rabbits and goats which are absolutely delightful to look at as well. Food for the mouth and stomach. Check!

However, the annual trip does not end here. After eating our fill of ice cream, we visit the Windsor Hotel, where the actual summit was held, and pretend to be guests. To top it all off, we buy bread from the hotel shop to eat the next morning. Toya is a beautiful place and is definitely a place to visit to look and eat.

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Kushitori: Delicious but cheap yakitori

By Catherine

It has been almost four years since I moved to Hokkaido, and aside from the beautiful nature with the clash of city life in Sapporo, one of my favorite things about living here is the food. So I would like to share a little bit about my favorite chain restaurant that originated here in Hokkaido: Kushitori.

Kushitori is a yakitori restaurant that is located in almost all areas of Hokkaido. Some are even just a few blocks away. It’s open from 5 pm, but in just 30 minutes the place will be packed with people. Mostly people off from work. It’s delicious and it’s cheap.

Kushitori has a wide variety of yakitori. But my favorite would probably be tsukune, which is basically minced chicken grilled on a stick. From the first bite, the juiciness of the chicken invades your mouth. It is the one dish I recommend to order when going. But aside from tsukune, there are so many other choices on the menu. Kushitori
is one of the best yakitori restaurants I have been to. You cannot come to Sapporo or even Hokkaido and not come here.

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To the Northernmost City

By Shiori Hishinuma

Wakkanai is the northernmost city in Japan. Travelers depart here for Rishiri-to and Rebun-to, which are two islands off the coast. And if you go a bit further, you’re able to reach the Sakhalin Island of Russia. When people think about Wakkanai, the first thing that pops into their minds might be Cape Soya, where visitors can see the Northernmost Point Monument. But there are other minor sightseeing spots in Wakkanai that are worth visiting as well.

One such place is Wakkanai Station. Even though stations won’t be appealing to everyone, Wakkanai Station is the northernmost railway station in Japan. If you isit, you will be able to see the place where the railway ends. I think it is rare to see the end of the railroad.

Another place worth a stop is a parking lot called Yuuhi-Gaoka Parking. This parking lot is noted for the view of Rishiri-to and Rebun-to during sunset. The pairing of the island and the sun set will surely be branded in people’s memories. Just a side note, both of these places are free, so I strongly encourage people to go.

The place I personally enjoy visiting is the Wakkanai Port Market. This is an indoor market with many souvenir shops and restaurants. There is a small  gallery and exhibition of Wakkanai in the Showa period, where people can
enjoy a nostalgic feeling of old Japan. If you are lucky enough, you might be able to meet the mascot character of Wakkanai, called Dashinosuke!

From the Japanese point of view, I used to view Wakkanai as a place where there isn’t anything, far from an urban city. But after paying a few visits, I learned to appreciate its unique location and attractions.

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Samurai in Sapporo

By Suzu Hiroyama

About a 15-minute walk from Odori station in downtown Sapporo, there is a small soup curry restaurant called Samurai. I’ve been to a couple soup curry restaurants in Sapporo, but I think Samurai is the best.

Soup curry originated in Sapporo during the 1970s. The idea came from China and North Korea’s medical curry, and also watery curries from Indonesia, Thailand, and other countries in Asia. Soup curry is usually a chicken and vegetable based curry that is not in the form of the thick, heavy curry that we know. Soup curry usually contains many vegetables, such as cabbage, bell peppers, pumpkin, beans, and more.

Samurai allows you to select the level spice, meaning children or those who can’t handle spicy food can enjoy the meal too. Samurai also lets you select different types of soup base as well. Some options are chicken, tomato, and coconut, but there are more to try. You also have the choice to add extra meat, or other fancy side items such as fried cheese mochi or pumpkin gnocchi. Every time I go to Samurai I make myself as hungry as possible so that I can enjoy the soup curry as much as I can. I highly recommend that people in Sapporo to go to Samurai at least once.

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Rusutsu Resort: Fun in All Seasons

By Elle Clements

I have lived in Hokkaido for three years, and the best part of Sapporo is its proximity to mountains, giving access to some great ski resorts. Hokkaido’s mountains have the best, fluffiest,  powdery snow I have ever known and experienced. The snowfall season in Hokkaido is from November to April. I personally think that the best month to go skiing or snowboarding is February.

There are a lot of ski resorts in Hokkaido, and one of my favorites is called Rusutsu. Rusutsu ski resort  is only 90 minutes from Chitose airport, and 60 minutes away from Sapporo station. It is the largest resort in Hokkaido and there are 37 courses for skiers and snowboards, ranging from the beginners level up to the professional level.

Rusutsu is not only for skiing and snowboarding, but they also have an amusement park, golf courses and hotels. During the summer, the amusement park will be full of people because there are more than 60 rides, a swimming pool, and a campsite. Therefore, Rusutsu resort is the place where you can fully enjoy all the seasons of Hokkaido, and I highly recommend you to go there and make a memorable trip with your family and friends.

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Munich Christmas Market In Sapporo

By Milan Dotiyal

The Christmas lights and illumination display in Odori park attracts tourists and dosankos (local people from Hokkaido) even in the chilly winter weather. The winter season is quite festive around Hokkaido as the city prepares for its annual White Illumination and the Munich Christmas Market.

The White Illumination is popular among couples and families, attracting a wide variety of people every year. The Munich Christmas Market is an annual event held during the Christmas season, where Sapporo’s sister city, Munich, collaborates with Sapporo on making Christmas a more authentic and enjoyable holiday, as well as tying to
strengthen the bond between Sapporo and Munich. Shops are set up on the second block of of Odori park, offering food, drink and crafts from places like Germany, Finland, Austria, Lithuania, and Russia. These stores specialize in
Christmas goods, unique souvenirs, candle houses, warm handmade socks, and even snow globes! (These gifts would make perfect for Christmas presents).

Along with these shops you’ll find some glass stores and souvenir stores from Otaru and Hakodate. But this market is not only limited to goods and souvenirs —  you can alsoget appetizing food along with drinks. Hot wine is perfect for your freezing body, Paella from Spain is very affordable, and German beer will taste better than ever with sausages made by a German chef! Most of the food prepared is very affordable, and it’s enjoyable for kids, families, couples, and tourists. This Christmas market will make you ready to have the best “warm” and jolly holiday season.

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The Hokkaido Traditional Village

By Murray Greg

The Hokkaido Traditional Village offers an immersive and captivating representation for what an average person’s life would have been like in Hokkaido in the early 20th century. All of the model homes feel authentic and the finest attention to detail is always paid, from the technology in the buildings right down to the materials they
were made from. The numerous original artifacts displayed are all perfectly preserved and in fantastic condition, giving a sense of what life was like. The relaxed and social atmosphere also makes a visit there incredibly enjoyable, especially as a foreigner, you can expect to get a lot of attention. This is the sort of place you can go and expect a different experience every time, since
there is far too much to fit into one day. in conjunction with the
daily performances, you could spend a lot of time there and not get
bored.

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Panoramas of Niseko

By –

Have you ever thought of walking through the forest and creeks or in the snow? Before moving to Hokkaido, I never thought of going on trails with snowshoes or snowboarding though the forests.

There is plenty of outdoor fun to be had in Hokkaido: Hiking, snowboarding in Niseko, snowshoeing on Okotanpeko, and many more exciting things. I took an outdoor pursuit class last year at my high school and I learned useful survival skills like how to save someone who’s drowning or how to take care of cuts in the wilderness with limited resources.

My last outdoor trip was a Niseko overnight backpacking trip. It was last June and we were not expecting snow, but one of the roads was closed due to snow. There were some rough parts where we had to climb up steep slopes covered in snow. We left early in the morning and hiked to the summit and slept there for a night. I still remember how mentally tiring it was to go somewhere you’ve never been — not knowing where the goalis. It was cool to see the sunset up at the summit. I also got to see parts of the mountain you would never see if you were just traveling by car.
I feel that by hiking, you can explore the hidden spots around Hokkaido.

Here are some photos from the trip:

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The Snow Festival Sapporo

By Kai Izumi

Of all the winter landscapes and snowy cities seen around the world, nothing compares to Sapporo. Every year, Sapporo presents its snow festival, where masses of snow are used to create huge monuments. The huge sculptures, be they historical or fictional, are quite a sight. There are snow sculptures, ice statues and activities, making the snow festival the place to be in the winter. The festival is one of Japan’s largest winter events, attracting a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year. Every winter, about two million people come to Sapporo for the festival.