This week, we visit a town next to Sapporo City, Ishikari.
Ishikari is well known for its salmon. We want to learn a bit more of that history, and head for the “Ishikari Sakyu no Kaze Museum”. After understanding a bit more of nature and history of the area, our two hosts get the chance to make an original canned souvenir, in honor of Japan’s first canning factory. Li Qiang and Isis write a message to themselves to open 10 years later.

Nestled on Ishikari Beach is the "Cafe Lounge, Mauni Hill". It's a comfortable cafe with a superb view of the Sea of Japan. Our MCs sit outside on the terrace, listen to the sound of the waves, and eat the recommended sweets available. Great view, great taste!

In order to learn even more of the town, they drop by the Ishikari Tourism Center. They are impressed to learn of "Kanshiobiki", a traditional way to prepare salmon, made over the course of six months.

At "Kita no Aji Ishikari Tei", our hosts get the chance to make "Ikura" or salmon roe, from a freshly caught salmon that morning. The flavor of a freshly made Ikura Don (Salmon Roe on Rice) was incredible…

"Ishikari Nabe" is one of Hokkaido's most famous delicacies. We get to visit the restaurant "Kindaitei", where the Ishikari Pot is said to have been made first. The building showed its maturity of 135 years, creating a spectacular atmosphere to enjoy the hot pot. The traditional flavor is kept the same since the restaurant's founding. A must-have!

This week we introduce Kamishihoro, which has become a hot location nationwide for a special "Local Tax Payment" service.
Last year, Kamishihoro Town received a tax payment of more than 970 million yen, placing it 3rd place nationwide in tax collection! Why do people want to pay so much in taxes to this particular location? The secret is the popularity of the special gratitude products you receive in return for doing so!
The most popular of these is the Gelato Set. Our hosts Li Qiang and Isis drop by "Dream Hill" ranch where it is manufactured and sold, to try four flavors of this special treat.
The second most popular tax-return gratitude gift is Tokachi Herb Beef. We stop by to have a bite at an elementary school turned into a restaurant; it was very nicely done! Our MCs dig in to the irresistible hamburg set and beefsteak bowl.
Kamishihoro is also famous as a town that loves hot-air balloons. Our two hosts visit Kamishihoro High School, where they offer a hot-air balloon after school club for their students. They help the club members prepare equipment for the flight. Hot-air balloons are affected by even the slightest amount of wind... will we get the chance to fly high in the sky?
We then visit one of the most spectacular sights of Kamishihoro Town: a concrete arch bridge that has been designated as a Hokkaido Heritage. An old railway track, on the Shihoro Line of the Japan National Railways, was decommissioned, with many bridges left untouched. The fantastic beauty of these bridges combining with nature is quite impressive, especially the Taushubetsu River Bridge. We fell in love with Hokkaido, yet again.

This week we introduce one of the top tourist locations in Hokkaido, Noboribetsu.
Noboribetsu is famous for Hell Valley. We are led by a guide to visit the famous power spot, Tessen Pond. The power of the gushing hot water surrounds our MCs.
We also take a walk to Oyunuma Pond, and dip our feet into a natural foot bath. The hot water relaxes and heals visiting travelers.
We discover a new local cuisine in Noboribetsu, called “Noboribetsu Enma Yakisoba.” About 30 shops within the city use local ingredients and follow three rules to make this special dish. To discover this new flavor, we visit “Yakitori Ippei”, where the eye-catching ingredient of the local dish is the Noboribetsu Vinos Shellfish. It is a taste to remember!
Of course, another big enjoyment of every trip is where you stay. For accommodations this week, our two MCs spend the night at a long-established hot spring inn, “Taki no Ya.” After being greeting with the Hokkaido greeting of “Irankarapte,” we are overwhelmed by the high class service and gorgeous room for the night; with a personal outdoor natural hot spring bath! You can even enjoy a Kaiseki Dinner, which is a traditional Japanese course meal, in your very own room.
After a relaxing evening, we head to “Noboribetsu Bear Park”. Li Qiang and Isis are thrilled and moved to see the adorable bears up close.
What an amazing adventure this week, you don’t want to miss it!

This week we introduce the Northern tip of Hokkaido, Wakkanai.
At the northernmost aquarium in Japan, “Noshappu Cold Current Aquarium”, we see a variety of creatures that we don’t normally get a chance to meet! Our two MCs met the Phantom Fish ITO, seals, and even Clione!
At a local cuisine restaurant, we dig in to the famous "Tako Shabu", raw octopus dipped into boiling water. We thoroughly enjoy the taste of the Soya Black Beef that is served there too.
Taking advantage of the harvest season, we visit an Activity Tourism Farm only open seasonally, to pick mini tomatoes, eggplant, and more. We use those fresh veggies we just picked as toppings for a handmade pizza. Absolutely amazing taste!
At the Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park, we stop by the free rest facility “Kouhone House”. Our two hosts walk along the beach, and are blown away by the amazing view of the ocean and perfect view of Rishiri Fuji Mountain, as well as Rebun Island.
The evening sun surprises us with a fiery sunset, reflecting on to the ocean for the best romantic view. We love Wakkanai!!

This week we introduce Esashi Town in Southern Hokkaido.
The first place we visit is “Esashi Oiwake Hall”. This facility was open to protect the 200 year old history and tradition of the singing style, Esashi Oiwake. Our two MCs get the chance to hear the majestic singing voice of professionals, and are even taught to sing with the help of a veteran instructor. After taking on the singing challenge, how did their singing sound? The instructor’s reaction is priceless…
Then we walk through the “Inishie Street”, which was designed to keep the old fashioned town look of Japan alive. There they step into “Yokoyama Ke”, where the traditional taste of “Nishin Soba” is served. After a great Japanese style meal, they walk into a lovely Western style bakery, specific to baking breads using Hokkaido flour. The atmosphere of the shop was a great mix of old and new.
Lastly, for a great selection of souvenirs, we step into a unique shop that looks like more of a collector’s treasury. With accessories, knickknacks, dolls and more from the past is available to view and some, to purchase. It was incredible to imagine how people used to live in just a few decades earlier.
Esashi Town is a spectacular place full of culture and history that is unique to Hokkaido. The people there try their best to protect it and share it with great smiles; we were moved by their kindness. We highly recommend visiting this Town!