Wild Hokkaido!

Niseko has become synonymous with hitting the slopes in Hokkaido. The fine snow lures skiers from Japan and abroad. Tune in to take a ride on the lift and revel in breathtaking views of Mt. Yotei. This episode also features rare footage of wild birds and fish related to char. Join our reporter for some easy trekking amid the great nature of Niseko.

Our new program "Wild Hokkaido!" offers tourist information highlighting the wonderful nature of Hokkaido. In this episode, actress Charlotte Kate Fox visits the Kushiro area of eastern Hokkaido. After taking in the magnificent landscape of Kushiro Marsh, which is Japan's largest wetland, Fox encounters the Red-crowned crane, a bird that is symbolic of the area. These cranes stay with their partner for the entirety of their lives. Fox was moved by how the cranes synchronize their cries and take off together. She even had the opportunity to witness their mating ritual. The program also includes rare footage of the Red-crowned cranes, documenting their ecology in detail.

In this episode, we are visiting Hakodate in southern Hokkaido, which is gathering increased attention since the bullet train started its operation. Right next to the city stands the home to a breathtaking rich nature, Mt. Hakodate. Actress Charlotte Kate Fox is going up to the peak of Mt. Hakodate via ropeway. From where you can see Mt. Hakodate from a distance, you can enjoy the beautiful spring scenery of southern Hokkaido by riding a Dosanko, the native horse of Hokkaido. We'll also reveal the rare footage of Mt. Hakodate going through changes.

In this episode, we are visiting Furano in central Hokkaido. The cultivated flat lands have been used to create lavish lavender fields, a popular attraction among foreign tourists. Torinuma is one of the few remaining areas in Furano where the original landscape remains intact. Many wild birds gather at the lake because of the abundance of fresh spring water. Charlotte Kate Fox has begun bird-watching! She has spotted a duck floating upside down reaching for algae as well as a woodpecker searching for insects in trees.

In this episode, Charlotte Kate Fox visits Otaru, which is a 45-minute drive from Sapporo. The retro canal is a very popular tourist attraction. Otaru was a prospering town in the past and fished over a million tons of herring annually. For a period, the herring population had declined, but successful spawning has been observed in recent years. We will show you the impressive footage of the herring spawning later in the show. Charlotte will also try skishoe trekking for the first time on a mountain with an amazing ocean view! Join her, as she gets close to nature while enjoying the scenery of a snowy forest.

In this episode, our stage is the city that is home to the New Chitose airport and is known as the Sky's gateway to Hokkaido, Chitose. The Chitose River, which flows through the city, is well known for its clear streams as well as the salmon that swim upstream. Thanks to the abundance of nature along the stream, the river is also home to a wide variety of birds. In this program, we will witness rare footage of these birds that capture their ecology, and our host Charlotte Kate Fox will also visit a bird-watching café on the outskirts of the city to capture the wild birds on camera.

In this episode, we visit Lake Shikotsu, a 30-minute drive from New Chitose Airport. Over one million tourists visit here annually to enjoy the impressive nature, not only during summer, but also winter events like the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. Shikotsu is renowned for its crystal-clear waters. Join our program host Charlotte Kate Fox as she experiences the beauty of the lake up close on a special kayak designed for viewing beneath the surface of the water. Also, you can enjoy our rare footage of creatures that inhabit Lake Shikotsu.

In this episode, we discover Hitsujigaoka Forest, located in the southern suburbs of Sapporo city. In fact, the forest of this region was once completely destroyed by a big fire, but has since regenerated after a long period, making it a unique area within Japan. Our program host will visit an arboretum (run by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute), which contains over 300 different species of trees and is open to the public to explore for free. You can experience Hitsujigaoka’s nature up close by observing a wide variety of trees as well as witnessing the rare footage of wild birds that live in this forest.

In this episode, we explore Biei Forest, located at the foot of the Taisetsu mountain range. Experience the power of the great nature, destroyed and built up countless times by volcanic eruptions. Our program host will step into the forest to observe signs of this destruction and rejuvenation up close, and also encounter something rare: a tiny patch of broadleaf trees growing in a dense forest of conifers. You can also enjoy rare footages that reveal the truly unique nature born of volcanic mountains, and the secrets of the mysterious cobalt-blue pond.

This episode features Sapporo, a city with a population of 2 million. Just west of the city center is a vast expanse of forest to enjoy, left virtually untouched since Sapporo's pioneering days. With over 100 different species of trees, a large variety of small wild birds and animals call this forest home. Witness rare footage of Eurasian red squirrels, captured in their natural habitat as they spend the harsh winter without hibernating, while actress Charlotte Kate Fox explores the forest on a guided tour.

In this episode, we explore the Taisetsu mountain range, with peaks reaching 2,000 meters. Take in the beauty of the unique landscape created by snow and ice over the harsh winter months as the program host visits the Sounkyo hot spring resort in the northern region of the Taisetsu mountain range. Here, the annual Ice Fall Festival is held, featuring enormous objects made of ice. The host goes trekking through this extreme winter region while encountering spectacular scenes of snow and ice. You can also see rare footage of the vast hidden nature of the Taisetsu Mountain range during the severe winter.

This episode's stage is Tomakomai, which is situated south of Chitose city where the New Chitose airport, the gateway to the skies of Hokkaido is located. We will introduce you to fields filled with great nature located right next to urban areas full of factories and residences. Our host will visit Lake Utonai, an area well known as a resting area for migratory birds where he will attempt bird watching with a guide. In addition, we will show you rare footage that captures the majestic views of the forest that spreads throughout Tomakomai along with the creatures that live in it.

Our stage this time is Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido. It’s said to have formed eons ago as a result of volcanic activity, which remains active even today. Our program host, Charlotte Kate Fox, explores the lake in a canoe and observes white steam rising from the lake's surface. She has eggs boiled in hot spring water and feels the power of the earth. In addition, we show you the footage of Landlocked Sockeye Salmons, swimming upstream for spawning, as well as Whooper Swans, which migrated from colder areas to spend the winter here.

Our stage this time is Lake Shikaribetsu, the highest lake in Hokkaido. It’s located at an altitude of about 800 meters, and signs of winter are already here in November. Charlotte Kate Fox, a program host, takes a stroll around the lake with a camera. She enjoys the beauty and the silence in the woods, shooting the lake that’s starting to freeze and the rocks that are completely covered in a blanket of moss. In addition, we show you the rare footage of Miyabe char, rare species to be found only here, and the icebound lake in winter.

Our stage this time is Lake Mashu in the eastern part of Hokkaido. It has clear blue water and is also known as the mist-shrouded lake. Our program host, Charlotte Kate Fox, treks around the outer rim surrounding the lake and enjoys watching Mountain Birch trees, bent in different shapes due to constant strong winds, and the spectacular view of the lake that emerges from the mist. Later, we show you the footage of the lake surface taken under special permission.

Our stage this time is Lake Akan, located in the eastern part of Hokkaido. It is one of the rare lakes in the world where Marimo moss balls can be found. Our program host Charlotte Kate Fox tries trekking around the frozen lake in snowshoes. She enjoys viewing the mountains that surround the vast snowfields and lake, as well as the spectacular sceneries unique to Lake Akan during the winter. In addition, we show you rare footage of the animals that survive the harsh winter and the landscapes created by volcanic activities.

Our stage this time is Furano, located in central Hokkaido. Furano is not only known as a world-famous skiing destination, but also for its expansive rich forest. In this episode, our program host will explore the winter forest in snowshoes. There he discovers fox and Sika deer footprints, and enjoys teatime in the fluffy snow. Later, we show you amazing footage of frost cracks in tree trunks and the Black Woodpecker, Japan’s largest woodpecker.

Lake Shumarinai, located about 200 kilometers north of Sapporo. In this episode, we will introduce you to the wonder that is known as the coldest lake in Japan. Fishing for Japanese smelt is the activity to try when visiting the lake during winter. Our program host will race over the vast snowfields on a snowmobile with a guide, and will open a hole in the ice to catch Japanese smelts. Later, we show you precious footage of creatures living there during severe cold weather.

Our stage this time is Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido Prefecture. To the west of Sapporo's city center are many mountains, where you can fully enjoy its rich nature. Our program host treks through the mountain path that leads from locally popular Mt. Sankakuyama to Mt. Okurayama, and encounters a variety of plants as well as wildlife along the way. Further, a spectacular view awaits him at the summit. Later, we show you rare footage of local wildlife in the Toyohira River, which flows through the city and is a source of sustenance for them.

Our stage this time is the Taisetsu Mountain Range, which is consisting of several peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level and is designated a national park, the largest in Japan. Our program host explores the numerous ponds located at the mountainside. Autumn arrives early here in the Taisetsu Mountain Range, where the fall foliage is at its most beautiful in late September, and magnificent scenery colored in bright red and yellow spreads out. Later, we show you rare footage of some wildlife that inhabits near the summit, preparing for the winter.

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow, Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. Our stage this time is Kiroro, a ski resort in western Hokkaido Prefecture. The season arrives in Kiroro earlier than anywhere else in Hokkaido, where quality powder snow can be fully enjoyed. Later, we show you the nearby tourist destination, Otaru.

Our stage this time is the Notsuke Peninsula that stretches approximately 26 kilometers in the east of Hokkaido Prefecture. Its curvature is the result of sand and rocks deposited by the tides, and the natural environment found here is even rare in Hokkaido. Our program host takes a boat to places you cannot reach on foot, encountering the unique and strange landscape as well as its wild inhabitants. Furthermore, our camera crew dives into the shallow ocean surrounding the peninsula and introduces you to the underwater forest of seaweed and its precious ecology.

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow called Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. This program is a special episode of Wild Hokkaido! to convey the attraction of "Japow," so you can fully enjoy it. Our stage this time is HANAZONO resort in Niseko, which attracts many international tourists. Our program host experiences the very best powder snow with a "powder guide" on a variety of courses.

Our stage this time is Kiritappu in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. Here, you will find the unique natural environment created by the Pacific Ocean, coastal wetland, and forest. Our program host explores the vast wetland and observes a variety of wildlife as well as plants during winter. In addition, he joins a tour to fully enjoy the seafood of Kiritappu, where the fishing industry is thriving. Later, we show you rare footage of wildlife that strives to secure food, in order to survive the harsh winter.

The volcanic Mt. Furanodake rises in the south of the Taisetsu Mountain Range with a diverse environment. The program host sets out on a hike through a deep forest, crossing streams and enjoying beautiful waterfalls. After 2 hours of walking, he reaches an open space. It is a marshland formed by rainwater collecting on top of the lava. Later, we show you some footage of a Northern Pika that stores leaves in its den to survive the long winter in an alpine zone, where not many plants are able to grow.

Our stage this time is Lake Furen which is connected to the Sea of Okhotsk in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a brackish lake with a circumference of 65km. The program host canoes down the river that flows into the lake, and enjoys watching white-tailed eagles and other birds. In the marshland facing the sea, he also observes sika deer at close range. Later, we show you some footage of red-crowned cranes raising their young by the lake where the tide ebbs and flows, as well as red fox feeding on fish left on the tidal flats.

Shimukappu is located almost in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is an area that gets severely cold in winter, where the snow-covered deep forest stretches. The program host explores the forest on a fat bike, which can be ridden easily through snowy terrain. He enjoys the spectacular scenery and the fluffy fresh snow as if he were a little child again. Later, we also show you the life of Siberian flying squirrels, which congregate in large groups only during winter by building a nest inside the hollow of a tree trunk.

Our stage this time is Lake Akan in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a caldera lake created as a result of ancient volcanic activity. In the dead of winter, the lake is completely frozen over. Our program host walks around the surrounding forests inhabited by a variety of wild fauna, as well as over the frozen lake to experience the flourishing forest and the energy of the volcano, which is still active today. Later, we show you rare footage of the lakeside facility of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, as well as some mysterious phenomena created in the lake by the intense winter conditions.

Our stage this time is Lake Shikotsu, located about an hour's drive from Hokkaido Prefecture's capital city of Sapporo with a population of over 1.9 million. Although the lake does not freeze over even during the harsh winter, its shores are decorated with beautiful ice formations. Our program host takes a canoe trip along Lake Shikotsu and the Chitose River, which flows out of the lake, to enjoy the beauty of the icy landscapes and wildlife encounters on the water. Later, we show you some footage of the creatures that survive the winter at Lake Shikotsu.

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow, Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. We hope you will thoroughly enjoy this special episode of Wild Hokkaido, introducing you to Japow. Our stage this time is Niseko, one of the top resort destinations in all of Hokkaido Prefecture, where fresh snow piles up almost every day during winter. The program host enjoys the great outdoors through a variety of fun winter activities, aside from skiing and snowboarding.

Bushcraft is a way to enjoy nature by utilizing what is sourced from nature and exercising the "wisdom of living with the forest." In this episode, a French fishing guide will try his hand at bushcraft in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. The goal is to build a campfire using fallen trees and withered branches in the forest, and to have a delicious dinner with the fish he catches. Snow has already started to fall in the winter forest. Without using the latest camping gear, how can we make the most of the forest's bounty with his wisdom and ingenuity to stay comfortable?

Our stage this time is Akan in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. The region's vast forests are dotted with volcanoes and lakes. During the harsh winter months, when the area is covered in deep snow, traveling by "fat bike," characterized by extremely thick tires, provides the chance to enjoy the great nature. In this episode, we ride a fat bike, which has traction on the snow and ice, to travel through the forest and on a frozen lake. We encounter some spectacular winter scenery shaped by snow and ice along the way, and fully enjoy the special experiences that only midwinter can offer, conveying the appeal of Hokkaido's nature in winter.

The Hidaka Mountain Range stretches north to south across the center of Hokkaido Prefecture. In this episode, we're taking our snowboard to enjoy the great outdoors in the mountains, which offer a perfect field for activities. Powder snow slopes at an elevation of over 1,000m. The Tokachi Plain spreads out below us. Our outdoor guide, who is well-versed in the nature of the Hidaka Mountain Range, will take us down the slopes in the midst of the magnificent scenery, sending up a spray of snow. We will also introduce the mysterious sight created by snow, wind and light that the nature of the Hidaka Mountain Range offers in the bitter cold.

Below your eyes is the Sea of Okhotsk in the season of drift ice. Climbers are scaling a huge icefall reaching 40 meters high. In this episode, a man from abroad living in Hokkaido Prefecture tries his hand at ice climbing up a frozen cliff. He uses his hands and feet to climb the completely sheer ice wall. Climbers challenge the icefalls, which are inhospitable to humans, with their strength and energy. Later, we also introduce the scenery of drift ice that fills the Sea of Okhotsk during the harsh winter season.

The mountains are completely surrounding Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. It's here you'll find a field to fully enjoy winter activities. This time, 2 Irish enjoy winter hiking on Mt. Mokoto with an altitude of 1,000 meters. As they go deep into the snow-covered mountain, they spot some evidence of wildlife. There, a mysterious landscape unfolds as the result of snowfall and strong winds. They are ready to have some fun they can only try out in a deep snow-covered mountain.

Sakazuki River flows into the Sea of Japan in the west of Hokkaido Prefecture. This river, which collects snowmelt from the Shakotan Peninsula, is known among canoeists as a river where they can enjoy some wild river rapids. In this episode, French and Japanese canoeists fully enjoy adventurous kayaking. Slope-like fast-flowing stream and a series of waterfalls await them as they navigate the rapids. The 2 challenge these difficult courses by using their skills. Later, we also show you footage of freshwater fish that sustain life in this river, flowing into the Sea of Japan.

In a deep mountain valley near the Jozankei hot spring resorts, two fishermen searching for large char traverse past waterfalls towards the headwaters and catch the illusory fish as beautiful as gems!

A pair of canoers journey down Hokkaido Prefecture's rushing current; the Akan River. Facing the wild, watch with bated breath as they battle together through white water and paddle skillfully past obstacles.

Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido attracts many anglers during fall due to the appearance of red freshwater fish. The anglers are executing tricks to lure those fascinating fishes in this big lake.

Toni and Evan are not only snowboarders but also expert surfers. They take cracks at boarding freely in the mountains as well as on the sea during the bitter frigid winter of Hokkaido Prefecture.

Lake Onneto is one of eastern Hokkaido's hidden gems. The indigenous people of Ainu have admired it for generations and call it "Elder Lake." In this special winter episode, we travel through the wild nature of Lake Onneto with nature guide, Jin Gen. Dedicated to protecting the natural environment, locals affectionately call him "Kin-chan." Let's discover mythical Lake Onneto in winter with Kin-chan!

Dog sledding in a snow-covered world requires good communication with sled dogs. As a sled glides along and trust is developed between dogs and riders, look forward to seeing what comes in view!

These days camping in the snow is a popular winter activity. Campers spend the night in a tent, warm up with delicious food and enjoy fantastic winter scenery!

Two cycling guides ride on snowy roads toward a mountain lake. Passing by railroad remnants, they reach the frozen-over and snow-covered Lake Nukabira, where cycling on the ice is permitted in winter.

Memorable photo ops await on a trek to find curious formations of ice and snow on freezing snow-covered mountains and in a cave full of ice pillars standing like bamboo shoots!

Winter rafting is coming into the limelight in Hokkaido Prefecture. With descending rapids at subfreezing temperatures, cold splashes and bitterly cold winds, riders can taste thrills to the extreme!

A vast expanse of drift ice spanning the frigid Sea of Okhotsk in the World Natural Heritage site of Shiretoko, sets the stage for a variety of novel winter adventures.

Cycling the Matsumae Peninsula during the spring cherry blossom season, we explore a scenic road lined with cherry trees, Hokkaido Prefecture's southernmost Cape Shirakami and the magnificent Matsumae Castle.

A canoe trip is a wonderful way to enjoy autumn! The riverbanks weave a bright tapestry of color. It's also the season of migratory birds and a chance to encounter other unexpected gifts of nature!

Lake Kussharo in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture attracts many anglers during fall due to the appearance of red freshwater fish. The anglers are executing tricks to lure those fascinating fishes in this big lake.