A rare star-shaped fort in Japan, Goryokaku blends Western military design with a pivotal moment in Japanese history. Visiting in winter offered a quiet, snow-covered perspective of this former battlefield turned public park.

Mount Hakodate’s night view lives up to its reputation—city lights shimmer between sea and sky, creating one of Japan’s most spectacular panoramas. A short ropeway ride, a chill winter breeze, and a “Ten Million Dollar View” make it an unforgettable stop in Hokkaido.

Ride the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen steam train through Hokkaido’s snowy wilderness. From spotting red-crowned cranes to tasting Shibecha’s famous dairy, this scenic winter journey is a must for train and nature lovers alike.

A quiet winter journey on the Abashiri–Shiretoko-Shari sightseeing train offers stunning coastal views of Hokkaido’s Sea of Okhotsk and Shiretoko mountains—a serene alternative to drift-ice cruises.

Abashiri is home to the southernmost drift ice in the world. I travelled here to see the famous ice on the Sea of Okhotsk. Sailing through the floating ice at sunset was an unforgettable moment — the orange glow over the frozen sea made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A winter visit to the Asahikawa Winter Festival, featuring massive snow sculptures, ice carvings, giant snow slides, and playful snowmen—an immersive and family-friendly winter experience in Hokkaido.

A winter walk through the 2023 Sapporo Snow Festival, exploring towering snow sculptures in Odori Park and intricately carved ice displays in Susukino, capped off with a warming bowl of ramen in Hokkaido’s winter capital.