Hi Reader, Itās the holiday season, so I brought you a little giftš Today, Iām taking you to Hokkaidoā¦ without leaving your couch š Hereās a watch & read list featuring Hokkaido! Get cozy with blankets and hot drinks, and enjoy āļø (Most of them are available on Netflix, but depending on your country.) š£ A quick announcement Are you planning to visit Akan? I just published a full review of my favorite onsen hotel there! ā
Mid-range onsen hotel $$ ā
Best hot spring water in town ā
Access to...
7 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
This weekās newsletter is supported by Doto Journey. Hi Reader, Last summer in Hokkaido, I went blueberry picking with my family. When we left the farm an hour later, somehow our hands were full of not just blueberries, but also fresh corn and potatoesā¦ The farm owner had harvested a few corns just for us (so fresh and sooo sweet) And gave us some potatoes just because he had so much. The blueberry picking was really fun. But what stayed with me even more was his kindness. Have you ever had a...
14 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Not sure where you are, but itās getting pretty cold on my side of the world... So just yesterday, I landed in Morocco seeking a warmer weather!āļø It's an early-chrismas family vacationš Before this trip, I managed to do these two things I'm proud of: 1) I finally pulled out my winter outfits from storage (It always takes weeks since the moment I need them. Why!?) 2) and decided to finally write the blog post I get asked about every single year. >> What to wear in Hokkaido winter...
21 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, As we get closer to 2026, I want to share this important news from Japan. Itās important for you to know if youāre planning a Hokkaido trip next year. āTraveling to Hokkaido will get more expensive in 2026 šøā But of course, there are reasons behind itš Let me explain where your money goes ā¬ļø 1. Japanās International Tourist Tax āļø The Japanese government is considering raising the current price 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen (6.5 USD ā 19.5 USD) likely sometime in 2026. This tax is added...
28 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Can you believe we're almost the end of 2025?š¤Æ It's been a big year for me. I lost my dream job in July... And decided to go all-in on promoting Hokkaido. I spent the summer back home, went on my first sponsored trip (š), and met small local businesses I want to support. It was the happiest part of my year! Now I'm back in Switzerland, far away from home. Creating content remotely is not easy, to be honest. But what keeps me goin is you, Reader. Because I want you to have an...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, You could keep scrolling through Google and Instagram for the next weeks, still trying to piece together where to go and what to do in Eastern Hokkaido. Orā¦ in one weekend, you could plan your perfect trip that feels like a local friend is showing you around. Iāve seen so many travelers fall into the same pattern. Done hours of research, but still feeling unsure until the day before their Hokkaido trip. I know that feeling, Iām a chronic researcher too š
But thatās exactly why I...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, I canāt tell you how many times travelers have messaged me saying, āI wish Iād known about you before my trip to Hokkaido!ā They visited the big tourist spots, had a nice time. But then they saw the hidden places and local experiences I share, and realized how much more there was to discover! I don't want you to miss the real side of Hokkaido that I grew up with. That's why I created my new travel guides and here's why you should grab them. š¤« Why the Eastern Hokkaido Insider Guide?...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, When are you planning to visit Eastern Hokkaido? I'm asking, because it's soooooo important. Many travelers tell me.... "I want to join local festivals in April." "I'm traveling in January and want to see drift ice." "Can I see autumn colors there in November?" And every time, I have to say... No you can'tš„² Because they are all missing the timing. Eastern Hokkaido changes completely with the seasons. That's why my Eastern Hokkaido Insider Guide includes a month-by-month Season...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Iāve been talking about my new guide to local spots in Eastern Hokkaido, and you might be thinkingā¦ āCanāt I just Google them?ā Of course, you can. But hereās the truth. Most travel blogs talk about the same touristy places over and over. Because they read other peopleās blogs, go there, and write about them again! Google reviews are written by tourists who only went once. Half the hidden gems in rural Hokkaido are buried on Japanese-only sites. So youād never come across them. And...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read