03Cities and regions

Northern island

Hokkaido: snow and blue water

Hokkaido is the second-largest of Japan’s main islands and the farthest north, forming both a prefecture and a region of the same name. Area is about 83,424 square kilometers; population was 4,985,419 on 1 October 2025. Sapporo is the capital and largest city. The Tsugaru Strait separates it from Honshu, linked by rail through the Seikan Tunnel. Inland lies Biei’s Blue Pond, created by works on the Biei River after the 1988 eruption of Mount Tokachi to protect the town from volcanic mud. The water’s color is attributed to colloidal aluminum hydroxide. Furano is a tourist town known for lavender fields and a ski resort. The Daisetsuzan mountains, including Asahi, show a snowy face into late spring. New Chitose Airport serves Sapporo and is the island’s largest. Hokkaido is not an extension of Tokyo; it is an island with its own climate, distances, and summer and winter colors. Furano’s summer differs from Sapporo’s winter — choose one with intent. The Blue Pond is near Biei and fits a half-day from the inland hub. New Chitose shortens arrival from off the island.

0

Hokkaido area

0

Population