Untouched Hokkaido

20/02/2025

Winter in East Hokkaido is bursting with activity. The snow-blanketed landscape reveals mystical sights, thrilling adventures, and unforgettable encounters. With endless possibilities awaiting, an expert guide can lead you beyond the ordinary, uncovering hidden gems and experiences you never thought possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aFtRUd1Fs8&list=PLWCQK4g6OmKQJAlCCrU23L-WQ1OiQe2ND&index=1

13/02/2025

Experience the miracle of winter by canoe—the mysterious scenery will take your mind off the cold! In the depths of winter, the headwaters of the Kushiro River are host to all sorts of frosty phenomena. Watch as steam rises from the water’s surface, diamond dust twinkles in the morning sun, and trees take on a new look covered in hard rime. You might even see frozen fog!

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e3%83%9e%e3%82%a4%e3%83%8a%e3%82%b9%ef%bc%92%ef%bc%90%e5%ba%a6%e4%bb%a5%e4%b8%8b%e3%81%ae%e6%97%a9%e6%9c%9d%e3%81%ab%e3%81%a0%e3%81%91%e7%8f%be%e3%82%8c%e3%82%8b%e5%b9%bb%e6%83%b3%e7%9a%84%e3%81%aa/

06/02/2025

The winter months can reveal some unexpected animal sightings. As you step into the forest near Akanko Onsen, look at the snow around you, you might see footprints left behind by Ezo red squirrels, Yezo red foxes or Yezo deer. The bare trees make it easier to see birds like Hokkaido’s own long-tailed tit and woodpeckers—you might even spot the Eurasian Jay that features in Kamuy Lumina, an interactive light show held in the forest.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e6%a3%ae%e3%81%ae%e4%b8%ad%e3%81%ab%e6%b5%81%e3%82%8c%e3%82%8b%e6%b8%85%e6%b5%81%e3%80%81%e8%84%87%e3%81%8b%e3%82%89%e5%99%b4%e5%87%ba%e3%81%99%e3%82%8b%e5%a4%a9%e7%84%b6%e6%b8%a9%e6%b3%89/

30/01/2025

Allow yourself to get lost in the majestic beauty of the Kushiro Sh*tsugen National Park shrouded in a white blanket of snow. A local guide will lead the way along the boardwalk that culminates at the Satellite Viewpoint where panoramic views await. With your curiosity piqued by the guide, you can learn more about the wetland and its flora and fauna at Kushiro City Wetland Observatory.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e6%97%a5%e6%9c%ac%e6%9c%80%e5%a4%a7%e3%81%ae%e6%b9%bf%e5%8e%9f%e3%80%8c%e9%87%a7%e8%b7%af%e6%b9%bf%e5%8e%9f%e5%9b%bd%e7%ab%8b%e5%85%ac%e5%9c%92%e3%80%8d/

23/01/2025

With walkable footbaths, the Kawayu Onsen A La Carte walking course, and a new boardwalk along the bedrock terrace of the thermal river that winds through the heart of the hot spring resort, this historic town is perfect for exploring by foot. The steaming river at Kawayu Onsen is heated by magma from Mt. Io. In winter, the steam freezes into delicate ice crystals on tree branches, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roE2cyCKDT0&list=PLWCQK4g6OmKQJAlCCrU23L-WQ1OiQe2ND&index=8

16/01/2025

Frost flowers are a rare phenomenon, which form briefly in the early morning and only under perfect conditions. When everything aligns, these icy flowers appear on the frozen surface of Lake Akan, which remains glassy even when the mercury drops to -30℃ due to volcanic activity causing hot springs to flow at the base. To see these miraculous formations, you’ll need to join a guided tour (and be prepared for an early start).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKISVLYxvBY&list=PLWCQK4g6OmKTaJDWlbGxdqD_nljYziQmB&index=5

09/01/2025

Did you know that the red-crowned crane is Japan’s largest bird? Listed as a Special Natural Monument, these majestic, non-migratory birds are supported through a winter-feeding program at three nearby feeding grounds including the Akan International Crane Center. The program is part of the Ministry of Environment’s efforts to protect the red-crowned cranes, which were once on the brink of extinction.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%ef%bd%9e%e4%ba%ba%e5%b7%a5%e7%b5%a6%e9%a4%8c%e7%99%ba%e7%a5%a5%e3%81%ae%e5%9c%b0%ef%bd%9e%e3%81%a7%e7%b6%9a%e3%81%91%e3%82%89%e3%82%8c%e3%82%8b%e3%80%81%e5%a4%a9%e7%84%b6%e8%a8%98%e5%bf%b5%e7%89%a9/

26/12/2024

All you need to witness this wonder is a pair of snowshoes and a thirst for adventure! By joining a snowshoe hike, you’ll find stunning views of frosty hard rime-encrusted Erman’s birch trees along the outer rim of Lake Mashu—they seem to be rising from the deep blue waters. As you look over the caldera lake, you might even see some mysterious frazil ice on the surface.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e8%81%96%e3%81%aa%e3%82%8b%e6%91%a9%e5%91%a8%e3%83%96%e3%83%ab%e3%83%bc%e3%82%92%e6%90%ba%e3%81%88%e3%82%8b%e3%80%81%e5%9c%b0%e4%b8%8a%e3%81%ab%e6%ae%8b%e3%81%95%e3%82%8c%e3%81%9f%e6%9c%80%e5%be%8c/

19/12/2024

Want to experience nature’s heat against winter’s chill? Even during sub-zero temperatures when rime ice covers the trees, you’ll find this mud volcano bubbling and steaming away due to the geothermal energy underground. A hike along the Bokke Walking Trail is a great way to explore this mystical landscape unique to the cooler months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm7zwIGH248&list=PLWCQK4g6OmKQJAlCCrU23L-WQ1OiQe2ND&index=6

12/12/2024

Have you ever heard of pancake ice? These round pancake-looking chunks of ice covering the water’s surface are just the beginning of the mysterious natural phenomena found at Kushiro River during winter. This large body of water that runs through the center of Kushiro City is also visited by an eerie frozen fog caused by the temperature difference between the cold air and the warm ocean.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e9%87%a7%e8%b7%af/

19/03/2024

\\Untouched HOKKAIDO Co-existing with Nature in the 6th Japan International Tourism Video Festival // "Untouched HOKKAIDO Co-existing with nature in Kushiro" won the Grand Prize in the project category at the 6th Japan International Tourism Video Festival held in Lake Akan, Kushiro, Japan, from March 13 to 15, 2024 🎉 The 10-minute video is filled with the charms of Kushiro, Akan, The 10-minute video is filled with the charms of Kushiro, Akan, Mashu, and Kawayu.
We are very happy to have received this award and hope that it will be seen by many people! It is a wonderful video that will help locals rediscover the charms of the area as well. We hope you will enjoy it☺

Please click here to view the award-winning video.
https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/

01/02/2024

In winter, Hokkaido’s abundant nature and vast landscapes transform into a snowy wonderland full of adventure and magic. Whether you want to encounter amazing wildlife, carve up fluffy powder snow or mingle with the locals over delicious cuisine, there’s a tour for you!

Untouched Hokkaido - 水のカムイ観光圏WINTER,2023[Japanese website] https://untouchedhokkaido.jp[English website] https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/Facebook: https://ww...

25/01/2024

There’s a wintry world of wonder waiting to be discovered along the headwaters of the Kushiro River. Taking a leisurely trip in a canoe is a great way to explore some breathtaking natural phenomena caused by the severe cold, including frosty white trees covered in hard rime, an other-worldly frozen fog hanging in the air and diamond dust sparkling in the sunlight.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/kussharo-mashu/

18/01/2024

Looking for a ski resort that has something for everyone? Look no further than Akankohan National Ski Area "UTARA". Take in beautiful views of Mount Oakan and Lake Akan as you whizz down the resort’s two trails (one beginner and intermediate level, one advanced level), try out the jumps in the Board Park or enjoy tobogganing and playing in the snow with the whole family at the Kids Park. The snow quality is amazing too!

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e9%98%bf%e5%af%92/

11/01/2024

Kushiro is as vibrant at night as it is in the day! There are all kinds of amazing sights on the wintry streets—check out the Cool Kushiro statue, animal silhouettes lighting up the sidewalk and the picturesque Nusamai Bridge! When you’re done, warm up with a style of cooking invented right here. Robata-yaki features mouthwatering seafood grilled to perfection on an irori hearth.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e5%9b%b2%e7%82%89%e8%a3%8f-%e3%81%84%e3%82%8d%e3%82%8a%e7%ab%af%e3%81%a7%e3%80%81%e9%87%a7%e8%b7%af%e3%81%a7%e7%8d%b2%e3%82%8c%e3%81%9f%e9%ad%9a%e4%bb%8b%e3%82%92%e7%82%ad%e7%81%ab%e3%81%a7/

05/01/2024

Ever tried snowshoeing? How about taking a snowshoe hike around the ridgeline of a caldera lake with spectacular deep blue waters? As you explore the breathtaking Lake Mashu, you may also see trees covered in frosty white hard rime and frazil ice that has formed on the lake’s surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75nfvSuRZqM&list=PLWCQK4g6OmKQJAlCCrU23L-WQ1OiQe2ND&index=4

28/12/2023

Check out these bright, colorful fireworks lighting up the crystal-clear night sky above a frozen Lake Akan. This spectacular show is held every night (weather permitting), adding a splash of color to the snowy landscape where temperatures drop below freezing—don’t forget to bundle up!

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e3%83%9e%e3%82%a4%e3%83%8a%e3%82%b920%e2%84%83%e3%81%ae%e6%b0%b7%e7%82%b9%e4%b8%8b%e3%81%ae%e5%a4%9c%e3%80%81%e9%98%bf%e5%af%92%e6%b9%96%e3%81%ae%e6%b0%b7%e4%b8%8a%e3%81%a7%e6%89%93%e3%81%a1%e4%b8%8a/

21/12/2023

The silvery-white snowfields of the Kushiro Wetlands offer the perfect backdrop for the many animals you’ll find thriving here. Watch red-crowned cranes perform their mesmerizing dance, and go snowshoeing to encounter fauna like deer and Steller's sea eagles.

https://untouchedhokkaido.jp/en/explore/%e9%87%a7%e8%b7%af/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wvx1aah0Jg&list=PLWCQK4g6OmKQJAlCCrU23L-WQ1OiQe2ND&index=3