By Li Qiang’s invitation, Isis and Announcer Megu join to make gyoza (Japanese dumplings), and chat about filming together during the show. They share their memories and reminiscence over all the locations they visited, and the wonderful people they have met.
Isis, born and raised in Toronto Canada, was not very fond of raw foods. However, the crew went filming to Ishikari City for TKG (Tamago Kake Gohan aka Raw Egg on Rice), and made Ika Sashi Don (raw squid on rice) at Hakodate City, she was shocked at the new delicious taste, and pleasantly surprised by the freshness of the ingredients.
In Hamanaka Town, both MCs, after hardworking with the locals for Kelp Drying, partook in a full meal made with Kelp, and it was great! The handmade Onigiri (rice balls) made with freshly harvested Yumepirika rice from Shin-Shinotsu Village, was also simply and lovingly made; very delicious!
They will never forget the gorgeous sights of the famous Cherry Blossom viewing at Ishikari City: Toda Memorial Cemetery Park, also the view at Maruka Plateau in Takikawa City, Tawa Daira in Shibecha Town, and of course Mt. Asahi. Unforgettable sights that you are sure to love them yourself; please be sure to watch, take notes, and visit these locations personally!

You can watch previous episodes of “Love Hokkaido” broadcasted FOR FREE ONLINE, with our “Hokkaido On-Demand” service (in Japanese only)!

By Li Qiang’s invitation, Isis and Announcer Megu join to make gyoza (Japanese dumplings), and chat about filming together during the show. They share their memories and reminiscence over all the locations they visited, and the wonderful people they have met.

Li Qiang and Isis look back on the many different activities they experienced. In Chitose City they made stained glass sun catchers, in Akabira City they visited “Kawa no Itagaki” and made key holders. At Ashoro Town they made their very own footprints, in Naganuma Town they made Tsukemono (pickled vegetables) with Sake Kasu (Lees), in Shintotsukawa Town they even harvested rice! They test their cooking skills to make hand-made Soba noodles in Teshikaga Town, rode brilliant horses in Hidaka, and were literally blown away by the wind at Erimo. Even in neighboring Aomori prefecture, Li Qiang enjoys pottery making, the famous Nebuta Festival, and the energetic “Haneto” dancing. In Akkeshi Town their glide on the canoe through Hokkaido’s vast nature filled them with awe and appreciation towards life of the wilderness, they could relax and have the most amazing time. We Love Hokkaido!!!

You can watch previous episodes of “Love Hokkaido” broadcasted FOR FREE ONLINE, with our “Hokkaido On-Demand” service (in Japanese only)!

MCs Li Qiang and Isis join the "Fortune Rising Southern Hokkaido Welcoming Tour", and travel to four towns full of "good luck" spots or activities available to visitors. This is a continuation of last week: “Tsugaru Strait Tuna Women’s Association! A Welcoming Bus Tour, Part #2!” In Kikonai Town, they watch the “Kanchu Misogi Festival” take place, and indulge in many dishes using delicacies of the area such as “Hakodate Wagyu” and more for a splendid lunch during festivities. At the Kawaso Jinja (Shrine) in Fukushima Town, they are able to participate in the rare “Matsumae Kagura” Shinto Music Celebrations, which has been actively carried out by priests since the Edo Period. Everyone who participates in this is extremely blessed indeed! Finally to end the tour, they join the “Matsumae History Guide” and learn much of the Town. This is the only town in Hokkaido that has a great castle! During the Edo Period, Matsumae was a vibrant city, seen as a center of politics, economy, and culture. Now it is very famous for the countless cherry blossoms that surround the historical castle. All of this was possible thanks to the Maguro (Tuna) Girls! Thanks to their charm and spunkiness, the tour was a great success, and many want to join again in the future. If you’re in Hokkaido during one of their tours, please be sure to participate; it’s the best way to explore the areas surrounding the Tsugaru Strait!

MCs Li Qiang and Isis join the "Fortune Rising Southern Hokkaido Welcoming Tour", and travel to four towns full of "good luck" spots or activities available to visitors. Their first town to visit is Shiriuchi Town. It's at this town that the oldest tomb in Japan has been archeologically excavated. Since finding amber burial accessories there, they started "Amber Tarekazari Making", and both MCs take this challenge to make amber necklaces! Amber is said through legends to give you luck in love, so the two hosts do their best to polish and make their pieces as shiny as possible! At the next location, Kikonai Town, 4 young men throw freezing water onto themselves at the powerful "Kanchu Misogi Matsuri", as a ritual to pray to receive a good catch and good harvest this year for the whole town. This festival has been tradition celebrated for 185 years, and from the day before the ritual, even performs a "Misogi Ritual", with divine acts and more that take place. On the day of the prayer ritual itself, in temperatures as cold as 4 degreed Celcius, "Kanchu Misogi" (Kanchu meaning "Cold Weather") is performed, and the four brave young men walk into freezing ocean waters to pray, with hundreds of spectators giving their thanks with loud exciting cheers! What a sight!