Hokkaido – Limitless Pristine Natural Landscapes For Adventurers
While many travel to Japan for it’s big cities, Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, is another popular destination. While it’s not popular for it’s bright lights, high-tech attractions, and city atmosphere, Hokkaido appeals more to outdoors types. If you love hiking, camping, and experiencing pristine natural environments, consider heading to Hokkaido, Japan. Before you leave, you’ll need to get a passport. Getting a US passport online is a great way to securely acquire a passport in the shortest amount of time possible.
Online passport processing is something that is becoming more popular among travelers. On these sites, customers are able to pick any sort of passport service, such as being able to renew pass port online, get passports for children and more. Because these sites provide expedited service, you can have your passport as soon as you need it, whether it’s a week, a few days, or even a day.
What makes Hokkaido so popular is the sheer amount of National Parks that feature undisturbed forests. Shiretoko, which translates into “end of the Earth,” is one of these places. Located at the north-east tip of the island, this pristine National Park has earned the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to see the hot-spring waterfall, and be careful, as Shiretoko has the highest population of brown bears in Japan.
If you are looking for a more rigorous hiking experience, head to Daisetsuzan, the largest National Park in Japan and destination for extreme hikers, located right in the mountainous middle of the island. The name Daisetsuzan translates into “Great Snowy Mountain,” which is appropriate, as these towering mountains are always snow-capped.
Believe it or not, Hokkaido is well-known for its delicious food and beer. The most popular dish on the island is ramen, but it’s not like the ramen college kids eat here. This is authentic ramen with high-quality noodles and topped with a variety of things: lamb, seafood, vegetables, and more. The Sapporo Beer Brewing Company is just one of the breweries located on the island, and there is nothing like drinking a freshly-brewed beer. Ishiya Chocolate Factory is famous for its delectable chocolate, so be sure to pick up some. Hokkaido is also famous for its seafood since most of the population lives along the ocean.
If you can, arrange your trip in time for the Sapporo Snow Festival, as it’s an experience unlike any other. It’s easily considered to be one of the most fun things to do, because people come from all over and build snow sculptures that are honestly works of art. This is a great option if you are looking to spend a just an afternoon or a whole day, as there is delicious food and plenty of sculptures to see.
If you are someone who loves hiking and experiencing the outdoors, head to Hokkaido to get a different cultural spin on an activity you already love. Hokkaido has several bigger cities to explore while pristine National Parks are within reach, giving the best of both worlds for vacationers. Just remember that passports are required for those traveling from the US, and getting a United States passport online is the easiest way to go. You can also replace or renew passport online as well.
