Hi Reader, Last week, I told you about my upcoming Eastern Hokkaido Insider Guide. (your shortcut to finding hidden spots like a local friend is showing you around 🤭) But there’s another question I get all the time: “Can I travel around Hokkaido without driving?” My quick answer: yes, absolutely! My honest answer: It's totally possible, but can be tricky… if you don’t know how to plan it properly. When I asked travelers what’s difficult about planning a Hokkaido trip, many said things like:...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’ve been working on something behind the scenes… and I can finally give you a tiny peek 👀 You know how planning a trip to Hokkaido can feel like falling into a Google rabbit hole? You spend hours scrolling blogs and Instagram, but still can’t decide where to actually go. Or you find a small town that looks amazing, only to realize all the info is hidden away on Japanese-only sites… I know that frustration. I’ve seen it so many times from travelers who just want the real, local...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, “I don’t know where to go in Hokkaido!” I hear this all the time… and I totally get it. There are just too many places that look amazing, right? If we were sitting together over coffee with a Hokkaido map ☕️🗺️, I’d help you figure it out. I’d listen to your trip ideas, then point and say… “Okay, this is the place for you. You’ll love it!” …But I can’t fly over to you for coffee (I really wish I could!). So instead, I made something fun that’s almost as good. ✨ Find Your Perfect...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Popping into your inbox a little later than usual today! My son was sick yesterday, so I couldn’t get this scheduled in time… Hope you’re staying healthy and warm as we slowly move toward winter❄️ Speaking of which… Around this time of year, I always get the same question. “Can I drive in Hokkaido in winter?” And my answer is always the same (word for word): 👉 “I don’t recommend it, unless you’re already a pro driver on snowy, icy roads.” I now driving lets you see more, and...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Last week, I talked about why I’m passionate about sharing my home region, Eastern Hokkaido. But let me be honest… I used to hate living in Hokkaido when I was younger. Me and my younger sister with Lake Kussharo - probably like 1999? I grew up in a small city in the countryside. As I became a teenager, I found it so boring. Too rural, too quiet. My dream was to escape to a big city… So, I did! I studied hard, got into a university in Tokyo, and worked in different countries around...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I went to Sapporo last month. And many things didn’t feel right to me. The trains were packed with tourists’ suitcases. At a famous seafood market, I looked at the prices and couldn’t believe it. Nearly double what I pay in my hometown for the same (or better) quality. And people were lining up for it. Japan’s tourism is booming. Last year, international visitors hit a record high. This year will likely go even higher. That’s great for the economy. But on the ground, locals are...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, How’s your week going? I’ve been in a focused-creation mode these days… and I’m excited to share 3 fresh things I made last week to help your Hokkaido trip planning! Festival schedule 2025 (Sep & Oct): Many people liked the schedule I shared last week, so I made a proper list with almost 80 events! This is gold if you want to time your trip perfectly🏅 Local ice cream review: Camembert, watermelon, even onsen egg ice cream... I taste-tested 10 unique flavors this summer🍦 My first...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I don’t usually shop up in your inbox on a Thursday, but today’s special because… Hokkaido's autumn foliage forecast is finally out! 🍁✨ Here’s the fresh update announced just today: Source: WeatherNews I’ve broken it down in English in my updated Autumn Itinerary post. Take a look if you’re planning a trip! And if you want to catch the leaves at their peak, I’ve also made a big list of 40+ foliage spots across Hokkaido. It's searchable by city and timing🍁 As a thank-you for being a...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I know you're coming to Hokkaido for its beautiful nature. Then, imagine you’re waking up in the middle of nature, in a cozy tent just a few steps from a quiet lake… Without carrying all the gear by yourself. Does this sound like your dream? I just did it myself😏 I was invited to stay at Lake House Toyako Glamping right by Lake Toya, a couple of weeks ago and totally loved my stay experience. Here’s why you’ll love it too: 🧡 It’s a family-run property. The hosts were so kind and...
2 months ago • 1 min read