Today’s email is sponsored by NOTSUKE BASE. Hi Reader, This might be quite random, but can I talk about my dad for a sec? He has this weird hobby where he picks a road in Eastern Hokkaido and just drives every weekend. No tourist spots, no itinerary. He’d just drive 150 km straight, have lunch at a random local restaurant, and come back home. He’s been doing this for years, and he has his favorite spots. One of them is Notsuke Peninsula. He says he spots a pack of deer every single time he...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Yesterday I had lunch with a friend from my old job. We were catching up, and I just realized it’s been almost a year since I left the job. I still can’t believe I used to work 9 to 5 in the office 🤯 Well I’ll be honest, I don’t earn as much as I used to. But I love spending my days helping people visit Hokkaido. I charge my clients to plan a custom itinerary, but today… I’m giving you something free 😉 Here’s my 3-day summer Shiretoko itinerary! It just got a major update with more...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I brand myself as an “expert” in Eastern Hokkaido, but I’ll be honest with you… There are still so many places I’ve never been to. Because the region is so big!! One of them was the Tokachi area in the southeast of Hokkaido. Just a bit too far from my hometown, so I’d never really explored it before. But I visited last summer, and again just last month. And it’s becoming my new favorite corner of Hokkaido 🥹 There are farms, mountains, small towns you’d never come across on social...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, What are you obsessing over lately? Matcha? Pilates? Or AI tools? For me, I’ve been OBSESSED with YOU this week 🫵🏼 Yes, you. Someone who wants to go to Hokkaido. I get questions about Hokkaido every day, via email and Instagram DM. So I decided to gather all the questions I received during the past 12 months (500+!!). And did a deep dive into what people are most struggling with, when they're planning a Hokkaido trip. Sounds fun, right? 🙈 And here’s what I found ⬇️ Surprisingly, it...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I just got back from a 10-day road trip in Hokkaido! And I have to be honest with you… the timing was not the “best”. I traveled in early April, which is low season for Hokkaido. Drift ice is gone. Snow is still melting. Nothing is green yet. Many people I met asked me the same thing… “Why are you here right now?” My honest answer is, I had extra support with child care, and it was the only time I could make the trip work as a mom with a business to run😝 But it turned out to be one...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
(This week’s email is sponsored.) Okay let me explain… I’m not crazy! Last summer, my husband took our son to his hometown for 9 days. And instead of using that time to catch up on work or sleep, I packed my car and hit the road. I hadn’t done a solo trip in almost 2 years. Before becoming a mom, that was how I recharged and how I felt like myself. But with pregnancy and a newborn, that part of me had quietly disappeared. So I took the chance to get back to who I was. It turned out to be one...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’m flying to Hokkaido tomorrow!! So excited 🎉 (In case you didn’t know, I’m currently based in Switzerland, so going home is always a big deal for me.) Before I share my itinerary, a quick housekeeping note… While I’m away, I’m taking a break from my 1:1 trip planning service. If you’ve been thinking about booking a consultation with me, I’ll reopen spots when I’m back in late April. In the meantime, if you’re deep in planning mode and don’t want to wait…. My Eastern Hokkaido...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Sooo… I finally launched a YouTube channel🎉 I’m super excited to share more of Hokkaido with you... this time in video! I’m starting with a summer road trip series. 4 episodes, all filmed on my own trip, no tourist traps 😉 2 episodes are live right now: ▶︎ Ep.1: Driving Sapporo to Asahikawa ▶︎ Ep.2: Solo Hiking Mount Kurodake This channel is a newborn baby🐣 So if you watch and enjoy… please please please Give me a like Say hi in the comment and subscribe🫶🏼 That would really help my...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, How are you this week? I've been busy getting ready for my Hokkaido trip (9 days away 🤯). But before I go, I have something to share... I'm finally launching my YouTube channel! A summer road trip series dropping this weekend. 👀 Subscribe here so you don't miss it See you there! Best,Yuuka
2 months ago • 1 min read