Hokkaido

Japan’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido is an interesting place. Its winters are long and see some of the most snowfall in the entire world, while its summers are brief and conditions are generally pleasant while the rest of Japan is sweltering. Where the major metropolitan areas on the main island of Honshu are covered in people, Hokkaido has a significantly lower population density. Mountains tower over nearby towns and cities, vast farmlands provide produce and dairy for the country, untouched forests foster wildlife, and the coasts provide a bounty of fresh seafood year-round. I visited in the summer of 2023 and photographed my way through the island. Still yet, I only covered about half of this large island and there is much more to see of this beautiful place.