"Northernmost Major Island of ..." a Hokkaido Travel Page by RoseAmano

Very large shopping, eating and resting facilities.
Located mid-way between Sapporo and Asahikawa.

Here is a nice way to recycle all that snow dredged away from the car park area!

http://www.oasiskan.jp/index.html

This area has long been a favoured destination for the winter activities, such as skiing, whereby many slopes are conveniently located to even the larger cities including Sapporo. Also well-known are the "Yuki Matsuri" Snow Festivities in Sapporo mid-town during the 1st week in February, whereby building-sized snow and ice sculptures decorate Sapporo mid-town and attract visitors from all of Japan, and in recent years increasingly from the neighbouring foreign countries.

Districts of Hokkaido:

North Hokkaido
Wakkanai - small port town with northbound ferries to Russia
Rebun Island
Rishiri Island

Northern Territories
The islands shown to the right in illustration currently in sovereignty dispute with Russia since end of 2nd World War:
Kunashiri,
Etorofu,
Shikotan,
and the Habomai isles.

East Hokkaido
Large environmental conservation park area, whereby some parts may be toured by the general public. Also known as a place for gourmet "konbu" seaweed.
Nemuro
Kushiro

Central Hokkaido
World-class ski slopes, lavender fields, highlands for horses and cattle.
Asahikawa
Obihiro

South Hokkaido
Urbanised yet not too big as nearby ski slopes are in plain view from the office window, romantic night scene, charming village town, sleeper express train to Tokyo.
Otaru
Sapporo
Hakodate