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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!