The Latest Breaking News from Hokkaido

Japan buried coal ash under the sea; decades later, it still supports a bridge

When engineers in Japan began work on the Hakucho Ohashi Bridge in Hokkaido in the 1980s, they faced an unusual problem beneath the water. The foundations for the bridge's two main towers had to be built on a soft seabed about 14 to 17 metres underwater. Instead of filling the…

The Times of India · Oct 2

Video shows bear slamming into car in northern Japan

A brown bear slammed its body against a car in northern Japan after two bears were spotted on a road in Hokkaido. The larger bear, believed to be the mother, approached the vehicle before running away with its cub. The driver was unharmed, and police have released dashcam footage of…

Euronews · Oct 2

This bullet train runs under the sea at 320 kmph: How Hayabusa Shinkansen makes it possible

Japan’s Hayabusa Shinkansen can reach speeds of up to 320 kmph while travelling through the Seikan Tunnel, one of the world’s longest undersea railway tunnels. Connecting Honshu with Hokkaido, the 53.85-km tunnel has 23.3 km of track beneath the sea. Here’s what makes the high-speed train and its underwater journey…

The Economic Times · Oct 1

Japan’s Kyu-Shirataki station became famous for one schoolgirl who used the remote stop daily before it closed on her graduation day

A remote Hokkaido railway station became a vital school link for one student. Kyu-Shirataki station served few passengers, but one girl relied on it daily. JR Hokkaido planned its closure due to low usage in March 2016. The station's closure coincided with the student's graduation, creating a compelling narrative. This…

The Times of India · Aug 19

The Kuril Islands: how a visit from Putin reignited a 150-year-old dispute between Japan and Russia

The diplomatic spat continues to simmer as Moscow summons Tokyo’s ambassador after the Russian president’s trip to the disputed islands last week

The Guardian - AU · Aug 18

Reeling from powerful earthquake that killed 34, Japan hit with 5.7 magnitude quake 5 days later

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Japan's northern Hokkaido region on Saturday, just days after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Japan.

The Times of India · Aug 1

Often called Japan's Titanic, the 1954 sinking of Toya Maru claimed more than 1,500 lives and reshaped ferry safety

On the evening of 26 September 1954, the Japanese passenger ferry Toya Maru prepared to cross the Tsugaru Strait, the narrow but often treacherous stretch of water separating the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. Thousands of passengers relied on ferries to make the crossing long before the construction of the…

The Times of India · Jul 29

A Japan mountain trail reopened after a fatal bear attack. Hours later, another brown bear stranded four hikers

Four hikers were stranded on a Hokkaido mountain after encountering a brown bear. They waited for over three hours before rescue teams arrived by helicopter. The bear had blocked the trail, preventing the group from continuing their descent. This incident occurred on Mount Rausu, which had recently reopened after a…

The Times of India · Jul 7

Dusit’s new lakeside retreat in Hokkaido has villas, open-air bathing and stunning wooden décor

For a peaceful escape in northern Japan, WE Hotel Toya, Dusit Collection offers guests a scenic night’s sleep overlooking Lake Tōya. There are also Japanese and Thai delicacies to choose from, made with locally sourced ingredients, as well as a spa and indoor hot baths.

Euronews · Jul 6

Ghost of Yotei was such a hit that the actual Japanese region of Hokkaido is getting official merch amid a tourism rush highlighting areas from the game

Sucker Punch already helped out the Tsushima region

GamesRadar · Jun 29