spacious island located at Japan's northern extremity with festivals throughout the seasons. A region with an abundance of natural beauty.

Hokkaido is an island at Japan's northern extremity, surrounded by sea in all directions. It is an extensive land, accounting for 22% of Japan's total land area. Low humidity makes the summers pleasant, while in winter you can enjoy winter sports. The island is gaining popularity as a tourist destination throughout the four seasons.

In Hokkaido you can enjoy the magnificence of nature to your heart's content: Daisetsu-zan National Park, which forms the roof of Hokkaido; the secluded Shiretoko-hanto Peninsula; Kushiro Marsh, home to many precious living things such as Japanese cranes; Shikotsu-Toya National Park, which is full of volcanoes and lakes; and the ever-changing Shakotan-kaigan Coast. There are also numerous hot springs, like the Noboribetsu-onsen, Jozan-kei-onsen and Soun-kyo-onsen, where you can enjoy a leisurely bath to help you get over the fatigue of your journey.

The Sapporo Snow-matsuri Festival and Monbetsu Ice Floes-matsuri Festival are held in winter. In summer enjoy the Furano Lavender-matsuri Festival, as well as port festivals in every coastal town held to pray for a good catch and safe fishing. Hokkaido boasts of over 1,200 festivals and events held throughout the year.

Pastoral scenery with a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. A panoramic view of Sapporo City can be enjoyed from the plain.

Hitsuji-ga-oka (hill of sheep) stretches out on the southeastern side of Sapporo City, which is situated in the southwestern part of the Ishikari Plain. Hitsuji-ga-oka welcomes you with a peaceful and relaxing pastoral view where sheep can be seen grazing sleepily on the gently rolling hills. The whole pastureland glows with a beautiful golden color at sunset, a sight that is truly something for you to remember. There is an observation point nearby where many people visit to enjoy a lovely view of Sapporo City and the Ishikari Plain that lies lazily in the distance.

In a corner of the observation area is a bronze statue of Dr. William S. Clark, an American professor who helped establish Hokkaido University, and who was also known as the father of Hokkaido pioneering. His name is well known for his famous phrase, "Boys, be ambitious." Japanese still often quote this phrase on many occasions when someone needs encouragement. The statue is lit up at night and it is a popular spot for young people to take photos. Barbequing mutton in what is called the Genghis Khan style is one of the local specialties of Hitsuji-ga-oka.

Hitsuji-ga-oka was a venue of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan co-hosted with South Korea. The Sapporo Dome in Hitsuji-ga-oka, is the fifth all-weather stadium to be constructed in Japan.


Alongside a ravine, "Sapporo's back parlor" attracts many. Kappa, the water sprite, is a symbol of Jozan Valley.

The Jozan-kei-onsen Hot Spring is located to the southwest of Sapporo in a ravine situated upstream along the Toyohira-gawa River. Called "Sapporo's back parlor," the spa is surrounded by mountains. It was discovered by a monk called Jozan, and was named after him for the efforts he made to develop it. The spa is known for its plentiful waters, some 200,000 liters of which flow every hour. The waters contain a large variety of minerals, including boric acid, sulfur and salt.

The symbol of Jozan Valley is the water sprite known as a 'kappa.' A kappa is an imaginary Japanese creature that lives both on land and in water. It is a funny-shaped hobgoblin, with a plate on its head, webbed hands and feet, and a pointed mouth. It became the guardian spirit of this place as the result of a legend about a young boy who is supposed to have been taken off to the land of the kappa, where he lived happily. Over 20 kappa statues stand in various poses around the spa town, including the "Great Kappa King." There is also a Kappa Pool, which becomes very lively during the Kappa Festival that takes place in early August.

There are plenty of facilities for visitors nearby, such as the nature walkway alongside the ravine and the Sapporo International Ski Resort. Jozan Valley is also a hub for tourists going over the Nakayama-toge Pass to Lake Toya-ko, and the town is lively throughout the year.