Where is the island of hokkaido. Hokkaido Island, Japan: description, detailed information, interesting facts and reviews

Compiled under the Russian Empress Catherine II " Spatial land description of the Russian state", included in the composition Russian Empire not only all the Kuril Islands, but also the island Hokkaido. The reason is that ethnic Japanese at that time did not even populate it. Indigenous people - Ainu(white people) - following the results of the expedition, Antipin and Shabalin were recorded as Russian subjects. The Ainu fought the Japanese not only in the south of Hokkaido, but also in the northern part of the island of Honshu. The Cossacks themselves explored and taxed the Kuril Islands in the 17th century. So that Russia can demand from the Japanese Hokkaido

The fact of Russian citizenship of the inhabitants of Hokkaido was noted in a letter from Alexander I to the Japanese Emperor in 1803. Moreover, this did not cause any objections from the Japanese side, let alone official protest. Hokkaido for Tokyo was a foreign territory like Korea. When the first Japanese arrived on the island in 1786, the Ainu came out to meet them, bearing Russian names and surnames. And what's more - Orthodox Christians!

Japan's first claims to Sakhalin date back only to 1845. Then Emperor Nicholas I immediately gave a diplomatic rebuff. Only the weakening of Russia in the following decades led to the occupation of the southern part of Sakhalin by the Japanese.
It is interesting that the Bolsheviks in 1925 condemned the former government, which had given Russian lands to Japan.
So in 1945, historical justice was only restored. The army and navy of the USSR resolved the Russo-Japanese territorial issue by force.

Khrushchev in 1956 signed the Joint Declaration of the USSR and Japan, article 9 of which read: " The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, meeting the wishes of Japan and taking into account the interests of the Japanese state, agrees to the transfer of the Habomai Islands and the Shikotan Islands to Japan, however, that the actual transfer of these islands to Japan will be made after the conclusion of the Peace Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Japan».
Khrushchev's goal was the demilitarization of Japan. He was ready to sacrifice a couple of small islands in order to remove American military bases from the Soviet Far East.

Now, obviously, we are no longer talking about demilitarization. Washington clung to his "unsinkable aircraft carrier" with a stranglehold. Moreover, Tokyo's dependence on the United States even increased after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Well, if so, then the gratuitous transfer of the islands as a “gesture good will' is losing its appeal.
It is reasonable not to follow Khrushchev's declaration, but to put forward symmetrical claims based on well-known historical facts. Shaking ancient scrolls and manuscripts, which is normal and practice in such cases.
insistent demand give away Hokkaido would be a cold shower for Tokyo. I would have to argue in the negotiations not about Sakhalin or even about the Kuriles, but about my own this moment territory. I would have to defend myself, justify myself, prove my right. Russia from diplomatic defense would thus go over to the offensive. Moreover, China's military activity, North Korea's nuclear ambitions and readiness for military action, and other security issues in the Asia-Pacific region will provide another reason for Japan to sign a peace treaty with Russia.

You can also remember the opinion of the people and hold a referendum, or at least a VTsIOM poll on whether people agree with Nikita Khrushchev's decision to "meet the wishes of Japan and take into account the interests of the Japanese state." Our people feel unmistakably that the land should never be given away. The answer is a categorical "no". TV channels and agencies will inform the world about the will of the Russians.
If official state structures cannot start such a campaign for diplomatic reasons, one of the informal patriotic organizations can do it. The state will support the initiative.
This is how Americans sometimes act, calling it a public-private partnership.
Why is Russia worse? To permanently remove the problem of belonging to the Kuril Islands, having previously "trolled" Tokyo with media and diplomatic attacks, is a worthy task for such a practice. The campaign slogan could be: Hokkaido is a Russian island! »

Ainu

Unlike the usual type of people of the Mongoloid race with dark skin, the Mongolian fold of the eyelid, and sparse facial hair, the Ainu had unusually thick hair covering their heads, wore huge beards and mustaches.

One of Japan's most eye-catching post-war urban innovations, Sapporo's Odori Promenade stretches a full mile from east to west, a straight and wide green boulevard with flower beds, lilacs, maples and fountains along the center line. In the first week of February, the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival takes place here. Snow and ice sculptures by corporate, professional and amateur teams are very complex and often very large.

Sapporo is famous throughout Japan for its beer. Manufactured in the 70s. 19th century set up by a German brewer who appreciated the advantages of the surrounding area for growing hops. Beer garden in the northeast of the central part of the city - beautiful place for a tasting of his signature drink.

Brief tour of the island

Lake Shikotsu, which occupies a volcanic crater 26 km west of Chitose Airport, is one of the most picturesque places in southern Hokkaido for hikers and campers. Every year, starting in May, there is excellent salmon fishing. There is little left of the Ainu culture in Hokkaido, but not far from the resort town of Noboribetsu there is Shiraoi, a recreated Ainu village where representatives of this people demonstrate their skills in national forms of art and crafts. The magnificent Ainu Museum, opened with the assistance of European and American anthropologists, offers visitors a vivid exposition on the history of the indigenous inhabitants of the Japanese islands.

Plenty in Hokkaido national parks. The protected Shiretoko National Park in the far northeast is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is attractive for its black cliffs, virgin forests and rich wildlife.

When visiting Japan, you should definitely look at Hokkaido - get a lot of pleasure from visiting onsen. Onsen are specially equipped natural hot springs. They are very popular both among the Japanese themselves, and are the highlight of the Japanese resort for foreigners (according to the residents of the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin, this is not surprising, but flying to the Kuril Islands is equivalent to Japan), Hokkaido is also known for its ski resorts. The climate of Hokkaido is very different from the climate of the other three islands.

Brief tour of the island:

The island of Hokkaido is only 40 km from Sakhalin, but these 40 kilometers represent the sea surface. Hokkaido is an island in northern Japan, the second largest after. Hokkaido is connected to Honshu by the Seikan Tunnel, which is 240 meters deep and 100 meters below sea level. The length of the underwater part of the tunnel is 23.3 kilometers. The total length of the tunnel is almost 54 kilometers and today the Seikan railway tunnel is one of the longest tunnels in the world.

Hokkaido is located in the very north of the country and is least developed in relation to other islands of Japan: Honshu, Kyushu and. This is due to such factors as: the more severe climate of Hokkaido, territorial remoteness, which was the reason for not so close communication with the main territory.

Until the middle of the 20th century, the lack of any means of crossing made communication between the islands quite expensive. Moreover, this part of the territory of Japan became seriously interested only at the end of the 19th century (1868-1869), when there were clashes between the Japanese Empire and the Republic of Ezo, which existed at that time on the territory of the island, which bore the same name with the republic (Ezo Island, more early name - Matsumae). As a result of a military clash, the Republic of Ezo ceased to exist and on August 15, 1869, Ezo Island was renamed Hokkaido.

The island of Hokkaido is separated from the island of Honshu by the Sangar Strait, the width of the strait ranges from 18 to 110 kilometers, the length is 96 kilometers. The shores of the islands (Hokkaido and Honshu, separated by the strait, are mountainous and covered with forests. The territory of Hokkaido is fifty percent composed of graceful and rocky mountains and fifty percent flat. In Hokkaido, unlike other islands, the ratio of plain to mountains is very high. Others the islands of Japan cannot boast of the presence of plains, since almost 80-90 percent of the territory is occupied by mountains, which makes the land in Japan especially valuable and expensive.

From the north, the island of Hokkaido is washed by the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the island is also washed by the Sea of ​​Japan and Pacific Ocean.

In addition to the main islands of Japan, more than 6800 small islands belong to its territory, so along the island of Hokkaido there are such islands as:

• Rebun and Rishiri
• Teuri and Yagishiri
• Okushiri
• Oshima
• Kojima

These are full-fledged territorial units in which infrastructure is also highly developed, agriculture, folk craft, fishing and tourism are actively developing. The islands have transport links with the main islands of the country and have airports on their territory, seaports. Communication with the "ground" is maintained by aircraft, sea transport, ferries. The islands have well-developed municipal transport, there are all the necessary shops, hotels, and there are many onsen.

As a rule, the origin of the islands is volcanic, however, the territory of the islands contains a lot of vegetation, and national parks are located on some of the islands.

The area of ​​the island of Hokkaido is 83,500 square kilometers, the population is 5,600,000 people, the population density is one of the lowest in Japan - 67 people per square kilometer, for comparison, in Honshu - 452 people per square kilometer.

The climate in Hokkaido is very harsh by Japanese standards, the winter is snowy and long, the absolute minimum recorded on the island is minus 41 degrees (in the city of Asahikawa), though it was more than 100 years ago. But on average, the temperature in the region of 10 degrees below zero on the island is kept constantly during the winter. Therefore, the Winter Olympic Games were held here and the Asian Games were repeatedly held. The Japanese themselves come here to ski resorts and are happy to participate in the snow festival, which is held annually in February. In summer it is rainy here, the air humidity is 95-99% and the air temperature reaches forty degrees Celsius.

In the main nine cities of Hokkaido, 60% of the island's population is concentrated:

• (approximately 1,920,000 people)
• Asahikawa (approximately 350,000 people)
• Hakodate (approximately 280,000 people)
• Kushiro (approximately 180,000 people)
• Tomakomai (approximately 170,000 people)
• Obihiro (approximately 170,000 people)
• Otaru (about 130.000 people)
• Kitami (approximately 120,000 people)
• Ebetsu (approximately 120,000 people)

The northern part of Hokkaido is covered with coniferous forests, mainly fir, cedar and spruce, dense thickets of bamboo predominate in the undergrowth, birches and many shrubs also grow on the island, and broad-leaved trees grow in the southern part of the island. Of the animals on the island live: sable, ermine, weasel, brown bear, fox. Bears, they say, are especially ferocious.

but they look so cute, they love it when they treat them with apples

photos taken in national park Shikotsu-Toya

In Japan, everything is done for the people, I wanted to go to the mountains, but they already laid out even paths for you there and built a ladder so as not to knock down your legs.

Japan is a country in which earthquakes of a minor degree almost constantly occur and a country constantly under the threat of natural disaster. But harsh climatic conditions do not prevent the Japanese from being cheerful and open people. Children are taught from an early age how to behave in emergency situations. And in the event of a large-scale tragedy, which, unfortunately, more than once fell upon the Japanese people, they remain still sustained, united and unbending.

In the meantime, the volcano is sleeping, at its foot there is a city and locals live their lives in peace.

The photographs were taken in Toyako, Iburi District, Hokkaido Governorate.

I offer you a short video about it. amazing place.

Hokkaido Prefecture is also called the "North Sea Governorate".

It is the northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectures. Hokkaido is the shortest way from Japan to Russia and the USA. Compared to other parts of Japan, Hokkaido is sparsely populated. About 33% of the total population of the prefecture is in the prefectural capital of Sapporo.

Hokkaido Governorate is divided into 14 districts: Abashiri; Iburi; Ishikari; Kamikawa; Kushiro; Nemuro; Oshima; Rumoi; Siribesi; Sorati; soy; Tokati; Hidaka; Hiyama.

The largest city in Hokkaido is the capital, Sapporo.

Odori Boulevard in Sapporo

Major cities: Hakodate in the south and Asahikawa in the central region. Other major settlements: Kushiro, Obihiro, Kitami, Abashiri and Nemuro.

Most travelers to the island arrive by air. Hokkaido can also be reached by ferry from Sendai, Niigata and some other cities, ferries from Tokyo carry only cargo.

Hokkaido has 37 universities (7 national, 5 local and 25 private), 34 colleges and 5 colleges of technology (4 national and 1 local). Hokkaido has a fairly developed rail network (Hokkaido Railway Company), but many cities can only be reached by freeway.

Sports teams that are based in Hokkaido:

Football: Consadole Sapporo (Sapporo)

Baseball: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Sapporo)

Hockey: Nippon Paper Crans (Kushiro) and Oji Eagles (Tomakomai)

Basketball: Rera Kamuy Hokkaido (Sapporo)

Geography

Hokkaido is separated from the island of Honshu by the Sangar Strait (Tsugaru Strait), however, between these islands, the Seikan tunnel is laid under the seabed.

Tsugaru Strait

Seikan Tunnel

The most deep point the tunnel is located approximately at a distance of 240 meters, runs under the Sangar Strait

The northern coast of the island is washed by the cold Sea of ​​Okhotsk and faces the Pacific coast of the Russian Far East. The territory of Hokkaido is almost equally divided between mountains and plains. Moreover, the mountains are located in the center of the island and stretch in ridges from north to south. The most high peak- Mount Asahi (2290 m). In the western part of the island, along the Ishikari River (length 265 km), there is a valley with the same name, in the eastern part, along the Tokati River (156 km) - another valley. southern part Hokkaido forms the Oshima Peninsula, separated from Honshu by the Sangar Strait. The island is the easternmost point of Japan - Cape Nosappu-Saki. Also on it is the northernmost point of Japan - Cape Soya.

Volcano Asahi

General view of Cape Nosappu-Saki

Musical monument with the words of the song "Soya-misaki"

A bit of history

The oldest artifacts found in Hokkaido belong to the late Paleolithic era.

15-12 thousand years ago, in the Mesolithic era, the technique of making stone blades spread to Hokkaido, which is associated with the emergence of a culture of microlithic tools. At the same time, the inhabitants of the island learned to use a bow and arrow. The appearance of ceramics in Hokkaido dates back to the 8th millennium BC. e. It is represented by the Jomon culture. On the island, this culture found its expression in two styles of tableware design - southwestern and northeastern. The first arose under the influence of the style of the Tohoku region. neighboring island Honshu, and the second took shape independently. The dishes of the southwestern part of Hokkaido were flat-bottomed, while those of the northeastern part were sharp-bottomed. About 6 millennium BC. e. sharp-bottomed dishes gave way to flat-bottomed ones, and the old styles evolved into new ones - cylindrical in the southwest and north-cylindrical in the northeast. In the 3-2 millennium BC. e. the inhabitants of Hokkaido adopted the opulent style of Kamegaoka from neighboring Honshu, which supplanted the regional styles.

At the turn of our era, a new Yayoi culture spread in Japan. Its carriers were settled farmers. They were engaged in rice cultivation, knew the technique of metal processing and made a new type of non-ornamental ceramics. Hokkaido remained outside the influence of this culture. Its inhabitants continued to live by hunting and gathering, were semi-sedentary and kept to the traditions of the previous Jōmon era.

Starting from the 7th century, the northeastern regions of Hokkaido, namely the lands of the coast Sea of ​​Okhotsk, were influenced by the Okhotsk culture. Its carriers used stone, iron and bone tools. A large settlement and burial ground of these northern hunters were found at the Moyoro site in the territory of the city of Abashiri. The latest monuments of the Okhotsk culture date back to the 9th century.

Attractions

Ishikari Bay

Ishikari Bay is located at the mouth of the river of the same name on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan in the western part of the island of Hokkaido. The port of the city of Otaru is located in the bay. He is not only largest port bay, but also large tourist center, which is a suburb of Sapporo. In total, there are three ports in the bay. Each of them hosts fish fairs where you can buy the freshest fish and seafood caught in the bay.

Otaru Aquarium

Located on the picturesque coast of Ishikari Bay. Here you can see five hundred species of fish, both marine and river, as well as about three hundred species of reptiles and marine animals. Interesting and exciting shows with the participation of trained sea lions, seals and dolphins are held daily in the main building of the aquarium. These small performances have long been considered the pride of Otaru. Also main feature of this aquarium - in that public feeding of penguins, dolphins, fur seals and other inhabitants is carried out here. By the way, on the territory of the Otaru Aquarium there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop where you can buy something to remember the trip to this amazing place.

Samurai Village Jidaimura

This is a theme park where an old Japanese settlement is recreated. Here are built replicas of houses in which samurai warriors lived during the Edo dynasty, when Japanese society was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate (1600 - 1876). The structures are built of stained wood, the carved ornaments on the fences and walls are very interesting, as well as the roofs in the form of pagodas with slight bends. The interior of the houses is also decorated in the style of this period - there are dishes for tea ceremonies, woven carpets and wicker furniture.

Bear park in Noboribetsu

The Noboribetsu Bear Park is a menagerie that contains a large number of adult brown bears. The park is located right on top of the mountain, you can get to it by cable car. It is home to the "Yezo brown bears", also called Higuma, the largest and most dangerous wild animal in Japan. Higuma is a unique species of bear that exists only on the island of Hokkaido, this species is related to the grizzly bear. The growth of an adult bear reaches two meters, and the mass reaches 400 kilograms. The park contains 180 bears. They are in concrete chambers of 20-30 individuals of the same sex.

Devil statue at the entrance to Noboribetsu

The statue of the devil is installed at the entrance to the most famous resort town on the thermal springs of the island of Hokkaido. This is a huge figure depicting the devil in human form and natural colors. This statue, among others similar to it, appeared here in connection with the main attraction of the city - the “Valley of Hell”, a gorge resembling a cauldron of hell, where boiling jets boil and sulfur geysers splash out, due to which the surrounding territory of the earth turns orange.

Old steam clock

This is a watch that works exclusively for a couple. They were donated by the city of Vancouver and are the pride of Otaru. These clocks have never been translated and now they show the wrong time. Every 15 minutes they emit beeps, and when the hands pass exactly a circle, you can hear the sounds of a flute and see how steam comes out of the watch.

Museum ship Mikasa

Mikasa is a Japanese battleship, the flagship of the Japanese Navy, currently a museum ship. Named after a mountain in Nara Prefecture. Ordered in 1898, built at the Vickers shipyard in the UK. Launched in 1900, commissioned in 1902. Mikasa was close to the battleship Asahi in terms of its displacement, armament and size, having a very similar silhouette, but differing from it in the reservation system. At first it was assumed that the main armor protection on the ship would be a full belt of nickel steel, but the armor was put on another 16% stronger. The ship was the flagship of the Japanese fleet during the Russo-Japanese War, participated in the battle in the Yellow Sea and the Battle of Tsushima. It sank as a result of a fire and explosion of powder magazines shortly after the end of the war (September 11, 1905). After several attempts in August 1906, it was raised to the surface and, after a two-year repair, returned to service. During the First World War, he served on the protection of the Japanese coast. In 1923, she was withdrawn from the fleet and turned into a museum ship, bombed by the Americans during World War II. After the end of the war, weapons were removed from it, the battleship itself was in poor condition, and already in 1958-1961 restoration work was carried out on the ship.

Shiretoko Peninsula

In Japan, one of the most beautiful places of wildlife is Shiretoko, a peninsula that has preserved untouched wild nature. Shiretoko is located on the east coast of Hokkaido. Its name means "end of the earth" and comes from the language of the Ainu people. The peninsula has become home to various animals such as foxes and brown bears. AT winter time drifting ice floes can be seen from the coast of Shiretoko, as it becomes one of the southern points of the northern hemisphere. The reserve is protected by the citizens of the country. Shiretoko National Park was included in the UNESCO List world heritage in 2005. At that time, the idea arose to expand the area of ​​​​the object, adding to it the territory of a number of the Kuril Islands and turning the peninsula into a Japanese-Russian "Peace Park".

Pond

On the famous island of Hokkaido in Japan, there is a unique natural phenomenon that attracts the attention of tourists. In the national park, on one of the banks of the Biegoa River, there is the Blue Pond. This place is very picturesque. At the foot of Mount Tokachi, nearby are the Platinum hot springs. The pond pond has a fantastic bright blue color, which is similar only to the shades of the sky. From the crystal smooth surface, dried up at first glance, thin twigs stretch upwards. In fact, they have been growing here for a very long time. This pond is especially beautiful in winter, when white snow settles on the bare thin branches of trees. At the same time, the aquamarine color of the water is preserved, not succumbing to ice. The mystery of the pond is that scientists still do not know what betrays such an amazing shade of aquamarine to the water. There is an assumption that next to the pond there are deposits of aluminum, microscopic particles of which penetrate to the bottom, and thanks to them, reflecting the rays of light, the water acquires a peculiar color.

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

A park that occupies the territory of the Kushiro swamp. It was founded in 1987. More than 600 species of plants grow on the territory of the park with an area of ​​269 square kilometers. The swampy area of ​​the park also serves as a haven for many local and migratory birds, including the Japanese crane. The main attraction of the park is the Kushiro swamp, which is considered the largest swamp in Japan. There is a fee to visit the park.

Swamp

Otaru channel

located on west coast hokkaido islands seaport Otaru is a very romantic place, the history of which is most closely intertwined with the influence foreign countries. The heyday of the city is associated with the development of foreign trade, thanks to which Otaru has become one of the main centers of economic activity on the island. And one of the most scenic spots in the city is the Otaru Canal. In the first half of the 20th century, the Otaru Canal was one of the main parts of the bustling city port. After it lost its transport significance, the city authorities did their best to turn it into a walking area and make it a decoration of the port part of the city. Today, the Otaru Canal is popular place walks, as well as the main venue for the festival of snowy luminous paths, when the city resembles a fairy tale. In addition, on the canal embankment, local artists put their paintings on public display, and when the lanterns are lit in the evening, walks along the canal are fanned with an atmosphere of romance.

If the island of Honshu is famous for its large number of volcanoes, then Hokkaido - airports. There are about 20 of them. Here are some of them:

Monbetsu airport

Considered one of the newest buildings on the island of Hokkaido, it is built on the basis of innovative technologies and equipped with all possible amenities for its passengers. The airport was opened in 1999 and belongs to the air bases of the third class. On the territory of the airport there are: several waiting rooms, lounges, medical offices, newsstands, souvenir shops, duty-free shops, cafeterias and restaurants, cash desks travel documents, information office, taxi depot, parking. Many well-known airlines cooperate with Monbetsu Airport, including the largest Japanese airlines All Nippon Airways, which use the airport for Tokyo-Haneda flights.

Miyazaki airport

It is considered one of the most visited island airports in Japan, as the island is considered a tourist attraction for tourists from many countries. Many people come here just to relax. gorgeous beaches at the foot of the mountains and visit well-known throughout the country SPA salons. On the territory of the airport, guests of the island can buy or exchange tickets at special ticket offices, find out the necessary information at the information desk, buy food and souvenirs in small shops, have a bite to eat in a cafeteria or restaurant, buy newspapers and phrasebooks at newsstands, relax in the waiting room. Airlines that use the services of Miyazaki Airport: All Nippon Airways (flights to Fukuoka, Nagoya-Centrair, Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda), Asiana Airlines (seoul-Incheon flights), China Airlines (Taipei-Taiwan), Ibex Airlines (flights to Fukuoka, Osaka-Itami), Japan Airlines (Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda, flights to Fukuoka), Solaseed Air (Naha, Tokyo-Haneda).

Matsuyama airport

One of the largest international airports in Japan, it is considered one of the most important hubs in the country. The airport was built in 1960 and receives aircraft from international and domestic airlines. The airport serves over 2,500,000 passengers annually. On the territory of the airport terminal there are: waiting rooms, medical Center, currency exchange offices, duty-free shops, newsstands, souvenir shops, cash desks pre-order tickets, information desk. The airport owns a parking lot and a taxi depot. Many airlines cooperate with Matsuyama Airport: Air New Zealand (charter flights to Auckland and Christchurch), All Nippon Airways (transportation to Naha, Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda), Asiana Airlines (Seoul-Incheon flights), China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai -Pudong), Japan Airlines (Tokyo-Haneda), Jetstar Japan (Tokyo-Narita flights).

Okey Island airport

It is located on the island of the same name and is not one of the most important airports in Japan, but it has a high passenger turnover due to the resort attractiveness of Oki Island. The airport was opened in 1965 and belongs to the air bases of the third class. Since then, the airport has been restored several times. In 2006 year runway already totaled 2,000 meters. On the territory of the airport terminal, guests of the island can use all the amenities: relax in the waiting room or lounge, have a snack in the cafeteria and restaurant, buy newspapers, souvenirs, groceries in small shops, find out information of interest at the information desk, buy plane and bus tickets at the box office . Near the airport there is a taxi depot and a bus stop. The fairly well-known airline Japan Air Commuter cooperates with the airport (flights to Yatsumo, Osaka-Itami flights).

New Chitose Airport

Performs both internal and international flights. This is the most major airport on the island of Hokkaido. It is located 5 kilometers from Tomakomai. It was opened in 1988 and has 2 terminals: domestic and international. The domestic terminal is a semicircular building equipped with eighteen exits. International terminal very small and has only 6 exits, and the style of architecture is similar to the Dallas airport. In 2010, the airport ranked 3rd busiest in Japan. The route Chitose - Tokyo Haneda is considered the busiest in the world - its flow is more than 9 million people. Do not forget that international flights from here are carried out only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The airport serves more than 20 airlines and flies to more than 15 destinations. It can be reached both by bus and by rail(to Sapporo Station).

Many of you have seen/know that there is a snow festival in Sapporo."Sapporo Snow Festival" - This is a Japanese non-state holiday, celebrated annually in early February and lasts 7 days. During the holiday, more than a hundred sculptures are made from snow and ice.

The tradition of celebrating the Snow Festival originated in 1950. That year, as part of a children's matinee, high school students from one of the Sapporo schools in Odori Park installed six snow figures of animals. This made an impression on passers-by watching the work. Since then, the inhabitants of the city began to build figures from snow and ice every year in early February. In 1955, the first massive figure was built by the military. After the XI Winter Olympic Games were held in Sapporo in 1972, the festival gained worldwide fame. Since 1974, the International Snow and Ice Sculpture Competition has been held as part of the holiday. The snow festival is organized simultaneously in three areas of Sapporo: Odori Park, Tsudomu Stadium and main street quarters of night entertainment Susukino. Today, as part of the International Snow Sculpture Competition, more than 25 teams from around the world annually take part in the festival. More than a hundred snow figures are installed. The holiday gathers about 2 million visitors and tourists from all over the world.

Another no less main attraction of the island isdog breed, about that's what it's called hokkaido (also its names: Ainu-Inu, Ainu-Ken).

Not to be confused with the Akita Inu, although they are very similar. (Akita Inu was filmed in "Hachiko"). Scientists suggest that the dogs got their name in honor of the Ainu people, who moved to Japan about three thousand years ago. The Ainu were forced to leave the main island and settle in Hokkaido. Along with the people there were small but strong dogs, which the Japanese used mainly in hunting bears and other large animals. In general, the Hokkaido breed is very versatile. She has found a use for herself as a sled, guard dog, and also perfectly copes with the role of a companion. During the Second World War, Hokkaido dogs were involved in the detention of runaway prisoners. Subsequently, when the need for these animals disappeared, they began to be destroyed. To this day, Hokkaido remains a very small breed. So, for example, in Europe they are practically not found.

In Japan, for the export of these animals, which are considered national treasure, the strictest ban was imposed.

Honshu Island

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Flag of Hokkaido Prefecture*

Hokkaido(Jap. 北海道 Hokkaido, "northern sea route", "way to the North Seas") - the governorate of Japan, located on island of the same name, the second largest island in Japan. The northernmost of the 47 prefectures. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the Seikan Railway Tunnel. The administrative center of the governorate -. (Read more: wikipedia - Hokkaido [governorship], Hokkaido)

It was here, in the extreme southwest of the Oshima Peninsula, that the feudal principality of Matsumae, vassal from the shoguns, was established in 1604, in whose possession the entire island was given. It was called Ezo at that time, and its indigenous population was, the conquest of which stretched for more than two centuries.

Full-scale economic development of the island began only during the transformations in Japan in 1868. Significant in the history of the island was 1869. The island was then renamed Hokkaido, which can be literally translated as "province of the northern seas" or even for some time it became a single administrative unit with the rights of a governorship. In the same 1869 The government established the Hokkaido Colonization Office and took matters into their own hands. Government control over the development of Hokkaido continues to this day. It is carried out through the established in 1950. Hokkaido Development Agency, whose head has the rank of minister of the Japanese government.

Almost a third of the island's territory is covered with forests (71%). The unique nature of the island is protected in 6 national, 5 quasi-national and 12 prefectural parks-reserves. They occupy 10% of the total territory of the island. There are 10 large and many more small lakes of volcanic origin in Hokkaido.

The forest wealth of the island predetermined a significant share of the logging, timber processing and woodworking industries in the economy of Hokkaido.

From the minerals of Hokkaido the most famous are coal and iron ore, the development of which has been going on for more than a decade.

Plains of Hokkaido developed for agricultural production. Due to the more northerly location of the island, it differs from other regions of the country. In particular, it has a small share of rice (only 8% of the national production). Soybeans (84%), potatoes (78%), cereals (60%), onions (48%), carrots (27%) dominate. The island's dairy farms produce 40% of the country's milk.

Hokkaido, washed by the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Sea of ​​​​Okhotsk and the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bJapan, is traditionally famous for sea fishing (especially salmon fishing) and seafood. According to 1994 data, 1.7 million tons of fish and seafood were harvested here, which amounted to 1/5 of the total Japanese production. On the rivers where salmonids come to spawn, a powerful network of artificial breeding plants for salmonids has been created. The products of agriculture and sea fishing constitute a solid base for the developed food industry in Hokkaido.

32.8% of the total value of the island's production comes from the food industry, 16% from the logging and processing of timber, 6% from coal and oil extraction, 6.1% from metalworking, 3.9% from mechanical engineering, 4.5 % - electrical engineering, 3.3% - transport engineering, 3.4% - steelmaking. In addition, 5.8% comes from the production of ceramic products and stone processing. In total, Hokkaido provides 4% of the value of the total Japanese industrial output. Only 11.8% of Hokkaido's enterprises are oriented to the national and global market. Experts regard this feature of the island's economy as a sign of a certain economic backwardness, since the share of enterprises oriented to the national and world markets in the country as a whole is 43.1%, i.e. three times higher than in Hokkaido.

Hokkaido business community, relying on state support, are making a lot of efforts to eliminate this disproportion, paying special attention to the development of enterprises oriented to the markets of countries neighboring Hokkaido, including the Far Eastern regions of Russia. Large investments are being made in the creation of high-tech industries. The development of the tourism and recreation industry is also considered promising.

Satellite image of Hokkaido. January 2003

The largest industrial centers of Hokkaido are the cities of Sapporo, Tomakomai, Muroran and Otaru.

Hokkaido's foreign trade relations are also distinguished by their originality. If Japan as a whole has an excess of exports over imports, then in Hokkaido, on the contrary, imports significantly exceed exports.

Imports are mainly energy, timber, fish and seafood, grain and fertilizers. And the main exports are engineering products: nuclear reactors and equipment for nuclear power plants, railway cars, ships, as well as paper and paper products.

The main foreign trade partner of Hokkaido - both in imports and in exports - is the United States. In imports they are followed by Russia, Saudi Arabia, Canada, China. In export - Korea, Belgium, Spain, Taiwan.

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There are 212 municipalities in Hokkaido, including 34 major cities, 154 small towns, and 24 villages.

The administrative center of the island - (1.7 million inhabitants). The city became the capital of the island in 1869. Today Sapporo- the financial and commercial heart of the island.