Hokkaido Archives | Tokyo Weekender

MUWA NISEKO: A Luxury Ski Retreat in the Heart of Niseko

Genie Harrison — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 02:29:24 +0000

Providing an unrivaled gateway to Hokkaido’s powdery paradise, Muwa Niseko (stylized as MUWA NISEKO) is a brand-new luxury hotel resort located in Niseko, one of Asia’s most popular skiing resorts. With the slopes on your doorstep, the resort’s ski-in-ski-out facilities are a dream for first-time skiers and seasoned pros alike. Holistic Relaxation Whether you’re looking […]

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48 Hours in Kushiro: East Hokkaido’s Foggy Capital

Justin Randall — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 08:25:29 +0000

Day 1 8 a.m. Akan International Crane Center The frozen ground breaks under the weight of the loud tractor, and the roar of the engine and the crack of tires on ice disrupt the peace of the morning. However, for the majestic red-crowned cranes, also known as tancho, it is just breakfast time. At the […]

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An Interview with Ankes: Indigenous Ainu Music Performers

Genie Harrison — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:26:47 +0000

One of Japan’s very few major ethnic minorities, the Ainu people have existed (predominantly in Hokkaido) for hundreds of years. However, from around the 18th century, they suffered routine oppression at the hands of the Japanese government. In 1800, the Ainu population was thought to be approximately 80,000. Today, it sits at around an estimated […]

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Hakodate City: The Sparkling Jewel of the North

Paul McInnes — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 03:20:15 +0000

Hakodate could be considered a natural gateway to the northernmost Japanese island of Hokkaido. Renowned for its beauty and sublime seafood, Hakodate is a city that demands to be explored, from its charming fish markets and renowned ramen restaurants to its astonishing nature. With dramatic wintry landscapes at the end of the year and the […]

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Stamp Rally Folly: Our Favorite Unconventional Way To Travel Japan

Anna Carne — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:54:40 +0000

Featuring the catchphrase, “Gotta Catch Em All,” it’s fair to say that stamp rallies are popular in Japan. Look around when you next enter a train station, and you’ll spot a small table with a huge stamp and ink pad. Once you know of their existence, you’ll spot rallies everywhere, from parks to museums and […]

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Hokkaido Travel: 24 Hours in Sapporo

Anna Carne — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 06:08:37 +0000

Everyone knows Hokkaido for its snow, but the region has a lot to offer throughout the year. In this article, we’re focusing on the capital city, Sapporo, which is great because everything there is reachable within 30 minutes. Breakfast, Hokkaido Jingu and Maruyama Park 9am Grab a classic morning set for breakfast at Ritaru Coffee, […]

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Hokkaido’s Higashikawa Effuses Creativity in Every Corner

Rob Goss — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:45:07 +0000

Though best known for its unspoiled wilderness and harsh winters, Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan National Park is also home to one of Japan’s most creative small towns. Called Higashikawa, this town of 8,000 people has blossomed into an artistic hub since launching an international photography festival in the mid-1980s. From photography to furniture design and more, here […]

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10 Japanese Brands That Have Their Very Own Specialty Museums

Anna Carne — Wed, 31 May 2023 09:02:57 +0000

Panasonic Panasonic Center, Tokyo Japanese technology company Panasonic has, unsurprisingly, a pretty hi-tech museum. The Panasonic Center’s most recent addition opened in March 2023. The Green Impact Park focuses on the impact that energy use has on the environment. Using a range of interactive exhibits, visitors are encouraged to move around and record their energy […]

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5 Japan Rail Passes for Easy, Cost-Effective Travel

Anna Carne — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:38:00 +0000

With the news that our favorite JR Pass — an all-access ticket for tourists that had been available at a huge discount — was going up by nearly 60%, we decided to introduce our other favorites. These lesser known, great value tickets still offer big savings on the areas that you want to visit. From […]

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An Ice-breaking Tour in Abashiri, Hokkaido

James Davies — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:07:13 +0000

The city of Abashiri sits on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, around a six-hour train ride from Sapporo. Facing Abashiri is the Sea of Okhotsk, a stretch of water that lies between Hokkaido and some of the coldest parts of eastern Russia. Abashiri is also no stranger to cold temperatures — the lowest ever temperature […]

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