Category:Hokkaido Region

Hokkaidō (北海道地方) is the northernmost region of Japan, occupying the entirety of the island of Hokkaidō. It is characterized by its cool climate, expansive natural landscapes, and a rich cultural history shaped by the indigenous Ainu people. Compared to other regions of Japan, Hokkaidō has been integrated into the Japanese cultural and political sphere relatively recently, and many aspects of its identity reflect this distinct historical trajectory.

The region is known for its dense forests, volcanic mountain ranges, hot springs, and maritime climate. Agriculture, dairy farming, forestry, and fisheries form essential parts of the regional economy, while the cities of Sapporo, Hakodate, and Asahikawa serve as cultural, industrial, and administrative hubs.

Hokkaidō’s handcrafted traditions include woodcarving, textile weaving, and lacquer techniques influenced significantly by Ainu aesthetics and cosmology, alongside traditions introduced from mainland Japanese culture during later settlement periods. This combination of indigenous heritage and historical migration has produced a craft culture unlike any other region of Japan.

Hokkaidō Region contains one prefecture:

• Category:Hokkaidō Prefecture

• Strong presence of Ainu cultural heritage and revival efforts.
• Notable centers of woodcraft, particularly bear carvings (木彫りの熊) originating from the Tokachi and Asahikawa areas.
• Renowned for natural materials used in craft production, such as local hardwoods, volcanic stone, and woven fibers.

• Island: Hokkaidō (main island)
• Climate: Humid continental (cold winters, mild summers)
• Major cities: Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa

• Ainu Crafts
• Hokkaido Prefecture
• Japanese Regions