Hokkaido & Beyond: Winter Festivals, Kawazu Cherry Blossoms & Snow Monkeys

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Initially opened in 1990, the Porotokan Ainu Museum was dedicated to cataloging, preserving, and teaching the history and culture of the original native peoples of Hokkaido: the Ainu people. In 2018, however, the Porotokan closed down in order to clear the way for the new and expanded National Ainu Museum. This newer museum’s philosophy is based on the ideals of multicultural coexistence and presents various exhibits divided into six separate Ainu-centered themes: history, language, lifestyle, livelihood, worldview, and trade with other peoples. The museum is one building in a larger facility called Upopoy (“singing in a large group” in Ainu language). This facility includes, in addition to the museum, a National Park near Lake Poroto, and a Memorial Site for deceased Ainu.

Lake Shikotsu is the northernmost ice-free lake which is 363 meters deep. This festival features a moss-covered cave, which has evergreen draped on the inside and is covered in ice. This festival is held from late January to mid February. This festival features ice sculptures, small and large. At night the sculptures are illuminated by different colored lights. There is a fireworks show during the festival as well.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held during one week every February in Hokkaido's capital Sapporo. It is one of Japan's most popular winter events. The Sapporo Snow Festival was started in 1950, when high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park. It has since developed into a large, commercialized event, featuring spectacular snow and ice sculptures and attracting more than two million visitors from Japan and across the world. The Snow Festival is staged on three sites: the Odori Site, Susukino Site and Tsu Dome Site.

Home of the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics, the Okurayama Ski Jump is a 90 meter high skiing structure that is still used today. Since it is an all- weather structure, it’s still used not only during winter seasons, but summer as well. However, it is not open to the public when there are special events in progress. The public can enter the museum at the bottom of the Okurayama Ski Jump structure. There are also exhibits, documents, and general Olympic Winter Sports information displayed in the museum for guests to enjoy.

The Historic Village of Hokkaido is a restored area based of what remained from the Meiji era and Taisho era. It is now an open-air museum with shops, households, and horse-drawn trams that run through the village. It displays various buildings and shops that were once constructed during Hokkaido’s growing development, including 60 different buildings from all over this northern island. It is also a place where many who lost their positions in the Edo Shogunate went to start their lives anew, especially samurai. It is located in the suburbs of Sapporo. It consists residential, mountainous, fishing, and agricultural zones.

The glass made in Otaru is refined and is made in many workshops that also offer hands-on experience for guests who take interest in making their own glassware for a fee. Otaru is located in the prefecture of Hokkaido, neighboring the city of Sapporo. Aside from glass workshops, there are also many cafés, restaurants, and other shops that also allow guests to admire and purchase their artistic glass.

Among the many shops found on Sakaimichi Street is the Otaru Music Box Museum. It not only displays various objects, but also sells a wide range of music boxes, some of which are more elaborate than others; some move and others light up along with their melody. Midst the various types of music boxes are some made from glass, wood, or even traditional Japanese fabric, some are fashioned after sushi or Western-themed concepts. These music boxes also carry different songs according to a collection that the establishment has at their disposable.

The Otaru Canal was employed by businesses to transport their merchandise to warehouses with smaller ships since the bigger ships could not directly unload their goods to their destinations. However, eventually there was no use for the smaller vessels when the facilities were modernized, making the use of canals less necessary. Now the area is a tourist attraction, during the day people take leisurely walks about the scenic route where there are museums, restaurants, and shops. Furthermore, Otaru Canal is the main site of the Snow Light Path Festival which is celebrated annually during February as a winter festival.

Otaru has been a thriving fishing town since the Edo period, when its network of canals allowed for easy unloading of fishing boats. Years later, though the canals are now a local promenade and tourist hotspot, the fishing industry survives, finding fresh appeal by supporting the city’s top sushi restaurants now lining the Otaru Sushi District. A couple of these restaurants have earned Michelin Stars, and some require a reservation in advance. Some of these restaurants are native to Otaru, but many are more widely established, with branch restaurants all over the world. Otaru has over a hundred sushi restaurants scattered throughout the city, offering a broad variety of sushi dishes to choose from. Select sushi, including the shrimp and sea urchin, are praised as Otaru’s finest offerings.

The Asahikawa Winter Festival is Hokkaido's second largest winter festival after Sapporo's Snow Festival. The festival takes place over a week in early February, about the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival. Hence, it is possible for winter visitors to visit both festivals on the same trip as the two cities are only an 80 minute train ride apart from each other. While Asahikawa may not be able to boast having Hokkaido's biggest winter festival, it certainly has one of the biggest snow sculptures. Every year one massive sculpture is made as a stage for music and other performances. The giant sculpture of a Korean fortress in 1994 even made into the book of Guinness World Records as the largest snow construction built. The giant sculpture has a different theme each year, such as a snowman castle in 2010 or the Daisetsuzan Mountains in 2011.

The Otokoyama Sake Brewery and Museum provides a variety of information and displays for its guests. Mount Taisetsu produces the water used by Otokoyama to produce sake; it is said that the water from Mount Taisetsu will bring longevity to whomever drinks from its spring waters. Sake tastings are also offered as part of the experiences that this sake brewery can offer to guests. Otokoyama’s sake is not only known throughout all of Japan, but also internationally known; it won its first gold medal in 1977 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, and has won several awards throughout the years.

In an area of 10,000㎡, there will be an exhibit of ice sculptures, light-ups, Hyobaku drums, Ainu ethnic dance, fireworks display, etc.

Among the various waterfalls found in the Sounkyo region, but the most notable ones are the Ginga and Ryusei Waterfall. Apart from sightseeing, tourists and other visitors usually climb the frozen waterfalls during winter to make their way to the peak atop the then frozen columns of ice. They both flow opposite opposite each other at different angles and appear to fall differently from one another; the Ginga Waterfall produces a more elegant fall with a gentler touch than the Ryusei Waterfall, which produces a more jet-like rush of water crashing down along the side of the cliff.

The Ezo red fox, or “Kitakitsune”, is an animal that is endemic to Hokkaido, an island which was once known to the mainland as “Ezo”. Nature-loving travelers on tour in Hokkaido hope for a glimpse of these adorable foxes, popular for their cute faces and fluffy winter coats. In the city of Kitami, the Kitakitsune Farm cares for around 50 foxes, giving them a safe place for them to roam free. Visitors to the farm can watch them wander without fear of disturbing them, since these foxes are especially comfortable around human guests. The fox is an inseparable part of Shinto mythology, appearing in folklore as spirit tricksters, guides, and even romantic partners. They are especially connected to Inari – the Shinto deity of rice and agriculture – as heavenly messengers, and are represented as stone statues to guard Inari’s shrines.

The Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum is located at the top of Mount Tento and exhibits materials related to the drift ice that comes to Abashiri. One of the exhibits provides a drift ice experience where you can actually touch the frozen clumps that came from the Sea of Okhotsk. The room is consistently set at -15° Celsius, which is 5° Fahrenheit. There are creatures that appear when the drift ice comes and one of the most popular species is the Cliones. The Cliones are transparent sea slugs that are more known by their nickname sea angels.

Located on a similar geographical latitude as Portland (Oregon) and Venice (Italy), the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido is the northern hemisphere's southernmost region to see drifting sea ice. The sea ice typically reaches the coast around Abashiri in mid to late January and disappears again by late March to mid April. The best time to view it is usually around the second half of February. While drift ice can be observed along the entire Sea of Okhotsk coast from Wakkanai to the Shiretoko Peninsula, it gets thickest around Abashiri. Due to global warming, the amount and thickness of the drift ice has decreased quite considerably since the late 1980s.One of the best and easiest ways to see the drift ice is from the Aurora Sightseeing Boats, which depart from Abashiri Port. Because drift ice is not always visible from the coast, the boats travel out into the Sea of Okhotsk to where ice is more likely to be found.

The Abashiri Prison Museum opened as an open air museum in 1985. The cold, harsh conditions in Abashiri Prison only made conditions worse for the prisoners as food became scarce while still doing hard labor. There are plenty of displays all over the prison of life-size dummies in uniform to exhibit a tangible understanding of previous work and prison conditions in Abashiri Prison.

In 2005, Lake Tofutsu was designated as a registered wetland of the Ramsar Convention. Fresh water and sea water mix in the lake. Various plants and animals live in this place, making it famous for bird watching. One can see about 250 varieties of wild birds through the four seasons. Swans fly here in winter, and about 300 swans live on the lake until spring.

Wakasagi fishing is a great outdoor activity totally different from skiing or snowboarding in Hokkaido. One of the most popular spots to do it is in Lake Akan. During the harsh winter, Lake Akan is frozen over solid! In this tour, you can enjoy wakasagi fishing in a special tent site on the ice of the lake.

The Lake Akan Ainu Kotan is a traditional Ainu village beside Lake Akan in Hokkaido. Kotan means “settlement” in the native language of the Ainu, and this Kotan is Hokkaido’s largest Ainu village. The village reflects ancient Ainu culture and spirituality, which respected much of the natural world, including various animals, as “kamuy” or “powerful spirits”. This belief led to a reverence for nature displayed in art, music, dance, and other elements of Ainu life. A special part of this heritage is a ceremonial dance that is often performed in the community. Additionally, a small museum full of Ainu implements and other native items is a popular attraction among visiting travelers. The Ainu people have lived in Hokkaido since before the Yamato (Japanese) first traveled there, and although they have been largely assimilated into Japanese society, they still some small communities where their way of life lives on.

The red-crowned crane is so important and rare a fowl that it has its own recognized international center located in the city of Kushiro, Hokkaido. This bird is even said to be a harbinger of good luck in general Japanese beliefs, even the indigenous people of Hokkaido said that they were marsh gods of the land. Within the Akan International Crane Center’s vicinity also holds a museum displaying information about the ecosystem and the crane’s life, a crane sanctuary, a breeding center, and also a feeding ground.

The first marshland internationally sanctioned for habitat protection in Japan is the Kushiro Marshlands in 1987, when it was made into a national park. One of the main features of these wetlands is birdwatching where the rare red-crowned crane is among the most favorites to see. This endangered species is unique to Japan and was once thought to have been extinct because of the destruction of the land and due to excess hunting of their kind. Now, the cranes can be seen in every season of the year in the marshlands where they reside.

The Kushiro Washo Market (Kushiro Washo Ichiba) opened in 1949 a short distance from Kushiro Station and is one of the three big markets that can be found in Hokkaido. There are about 60 stalls selling fresh seafood, dried products, meat and vegetables. A popular meal at the market is "Kattedon", a donburi dish where diners can personalize their rice bowl with seafood bought from the vendors.

Located above the town of Kawazu and traveling northwest along the Kawazu River is the Kawazu Nanadaru Falls. Visitors that want to view these beautiful waterfalls can take the walking trail that leads through the forest and waterfalls. The trail is about one kilometer or more than half a mile, but one of the waterfalls is closed off and only available to guests staying at the nearby ryokan.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated early in the year because Kawazu is known as one of the earliest spots for cherry blossoms in Japan. Visitors that come to Japan before the cherry blossom season in the springs begins, can still view the beautiful cherry blossoms during the festival. The cherry blossoms and festival can take place as early as mid-February to early March.

Lake Kawaguchi is one of Mount Fuji's Five Lakes, and is by far the most famous, attracting visitors to the hotels that dot its shoreline throughout the year. It is arguably the most picturesque, being displayed prominently below the iconic mountain on postcards for the region. The landscape around the long lake is dramatic and stunning in every season, especially during spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Despite the lake's proximity to Mount Fuji, the mountain is not always visible from the lake due to the cloud cover, with the early morning and late afternoon being the best time to get a good glimpse. A number of other attractions sit around the lake, including the Kubota Itchiku Museum, Kawaguchiko Muse Museum, FujiQ Highland amusement park, and a number of hot spring bath resorts.

The Kubota Itchiku Art Museum is located on the north coast of Lake Kawaguchiko near Mount Fuji. This museum showcases the works of the late Kubota Itchiku, a famous Japanese kimono artist. This museum showcases several of Kubota Itchiku’s kimono art, which are based on themes of nature, the seasons, and the cosmos.

The Kachi Kachi Ropeway is located on the eastern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko near Mount Fuji. The ropeway begins on the eastern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko and travels about 400 meters to an observation deck on Mount Tenjo. The observation deck offers beautiful views of the lake and Mount Fuji. There are trails available that lead down or up Mount Tenjo.

Matsumoto is home to one of Japan’s four National Treasure Castles, the Matsumoto Castle. This castle is one of the most beautiful, and complete original castles in all of Japan compared to the other four National Treasure Castles. During the spring season, Matsumoto Castel is a very popular location to view the cherry blossoms.

Probably one of the most famous monkey parks in the Japan and in the world is the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The park hosts a number of Japanese Macaques (also known as the snow monkeys), and many visitors can observe them up close. There is one large hot spring pool where the monkeys gather, but visitors can still see many groups on the walk over to the pool. Guests are not allowed to touch or feed the monkeys for their own safety.

The Hokusai Museum features some of the works by Katsushika Hokusai, a famous ukiyo-e painter from the Edo Period. Hokusai is best known for his woodblock series known as “Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji.” Included in this series is the “Great Wave off Kanagawa” that has gained worldwide fame. The museum was built in honor of the time Hokusai spent towards the end of his life as a guest of Takai Kozan, a wealthy salt merchant in Obuse. The Hokusai Museum can be found in the center town and features two festive floats where the ceilings were decorated by Hokusai. A dragon with his signature waves is in one of the floats while the other dons a phoenix with the iconic waves design. At the Ganshoin Temple a Chinese style phoenix mural was painted by Hokusai in his final year. The incredible detail on the red mythical bird is a sight that should not be missed.

Zenkoji Temple is said to house the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan. The temple was first founded in the 7th century and is one of the most popular and important temples in the country. Every six years for a few weeks, a copy of the original statue is shown to the public while it remains hidden. The next time to see the statue will be in 2021. Nagano city developed around Zenkoji Temple, which emphasizes its importance to the history of the town. The main hall was rebuilt in 1707 and is decorated with various Buddhist statues. A fee is required to enter the inner hall and in the basement is an underground passage. In the completely dark passage people must find the hand rail, which represents the “key to paradise.” It is believed to grant salvation to anybody who touches it. Inside the recently built pagoda is the Zenkoji History Museum, which showcases intricately carved statues of various Buddha and Bodhisattva as well as 100 Rakan (disciples of Buddha). South of the main hall are the impressive Sanmon and Niomon Gates.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.