Japan Hokkaido

Sapporo is the fourth largest city in Japan by population, and the largest city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Sapporo is known outside Japan for having hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, the first ever held in Asia, and for the city's annual Yuki Matsuri, internationally referred to as the Sapporo Snow Festival, which draws more than 2 million tourists from around the world. The city is also home to Sapporo Brewery and the white chocolate biscuits called shiroi koibito. Sapporo is known as the birthplace of miso ramen, a ramen noodle dish using miso, and Sapporo ramen is also widely known.

Hakodate is located in the centre of Kameda peninsula. The city is overlooked by Mount Hakodate, a forested mountain whose summit can be reached by hiking trail, cable car, or car. The night view from the summit is renowned in Japan as one of the best in the country, and one of the top three in the world along with Hong Kong and Naples. An obscure local nickname of the bumpy mountain is Gagyūzan (Mount Cow's Back), alluding to the way the mountain resembles a resting cow. The former Goryokaku fort is now used in as a public park and is popular in Hokkaido for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

Asahikawa is a city in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. The city is currently well known for the Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa ramen. As the central city in northern Hokkaido, Asahikawa has been influential in industry and commerce. There are about 130 rivers and streams including the Ishikari River and Chubetsu River, and over 740 bridges in the city. Asahibashi, a bridge over Ishikari River, has been one of the symbols of Asahikawa since its completion. Every winter, the Asahikawa Winter Festival is held on the bank of the Ishikari River. Due to its climate and location surrounded by mountains, there are some ski resorts in the outskirts of the city.

Furano is a city in the prefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. Well known throughout Japan as a tourism destination, it is famous for its lavender fields, the television drama Kita no Kuni kara and the Furano Ski Resort, which held the Snowboarding World Cup in recent years. Major tourism destinations in Furano include the Downtown district, Kitanomine district, and the Rokugo district. There are also several annual festivals that take place in the city.

Kutchan is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Throughout Hokkaido, Kutchan is known for its proximity to the world famous Niseko powder snow region and for its production of quality potatoes and potato products. The city’s expanding tourism industry is often attributed to the steady and copious supply of fresh powder snow, which many claim is among the best in Japan. The town is home to two museums, the Kutchan Natural History Museum and the Shu Ogawara Art Museum. It also hosts the annual Mt. Niseko Kutchan Jazz Festival every July in the center of town, drawing thousands to enjoy the music of Japanese and Australian musicians.

Otaru is a city and port in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and has long served as the main port of the bay. Otaru has many historical buildings, such as Nishin Goten (herring mansion), the Sakaushi residence, and The Tomioka Catholic Church. A canal adorned with Victorian-style street lamps runs through Otaru. Many of the buildings in Otaru have been designated as landmark architecture. Otaru is also known for the freshness of its sushi. The town also has substantial shopping arcades and bazaars. Otaru's prominent industries are arts and crafts, such as studio glass and musical boxes.

Abashiri is a city located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. Abashiri is known as the site of the Abashiri Prison, a Meiji-era facility used for the incarceration of political prisoners. The old prison has been turned into a museum, but the city's new maximum-security prison is still in use. Hokkaido has a brewery called Abashiri which sells a range of beers, including Bilk, a blend of beer and milk. Abashiri is also home to a flower garden with a wide range of flowers. In the winter, tourists visit the city to watch the drift ice.

Kushiro is a city in Kushiro Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Kushiro Subprefecture, as well as the most populous city in eastern Hokkaido. Kushiro has been an important port because it is more reliably ice-free during winter. There are several mountains, lakes, rivers, and national parks in the vicinity. Ice hockey is one of the most popular winter sports in Kushiro.