Hokkaido (Japan)

Artisans in Japan Uphold the Indigenous Ainu Culture

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Artisans in Japan Uphold the Indigenous Ainu Culture

At the entrance to Akan-Mashu National Park, known for its lakes and bubbling mud pools, red torii gates stood out against the white snow that had blanketed this part of eastern Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. On a park path, I suddenly saw a Yezo sika deer, with its spotted …

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A First-Timer’s Guide to Skiing in Japan

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A First-Timer’s Guide to Skiing in Japan

Unlike the high jinks and vibrant après-ski scene that permeate the Alps and Rockies, Japan offers a meditative experience on its slopes. Skiing here is an almost reverent affair. “It’s not about lounging in the sun or partying between runs,” said Sari Levy, 46, who lives in Telluride, Colo., and …

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