• Hokkaido's area is larger than the combined size of Kyushu and Shikoku, making it Japan's largest prefecture.
  • Local weather broadcasts traditionally pronounce sub-zero temperatures as "hiku" (minus) rather than "mainasu."
  • Seicomart convenience stores hold the top market share in Hokkaido, with their private brand products popular among travelers.
  • Even in July, maximum temperatures hover around 25°C, making it so comfortable that many homes lack air conditioning.
  • Roads are often laid out in straight lines and grids, with Japan's longest straight national highway being Route 12 at approximately 29km.
  • Sapporo's downtown underground walkways extend over 2km for comfortable winter pedestrian access.
  • The "Shima-enaga" (Long-tailed Tit) is a pure white bird found only in Hokkaido, gaining rapid popularity on social media.
  • The YOSAKOI Soran Festival, started in 1992, now attracts dancers from over 20 countries worldwide.
  • Asahiyama Zoo achieved a V-shaped recovery through behavioral exhibition methods, becoming a success model for regional zoos.
  • The Hokkaido Shinkansen extension from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo is scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2030.
  • Hokkaido coffee milk consumption per capita ranks among the highest in Japan.
  • Initial auction prices for two Yubari melons sometimes reach several million yen.
  • The spectacular sea of clouds at Tomamu has become a popular Instagram spot.
  • Over 100 municipalities in Hokkaido are designated as depopulated areas, with population concentration being a major challenge.
  • The World Natural Heritage site "Shiretoko" has strict rules for coexisting with brown bears.