One of the great joys of travel, perhaps even greater than experiencing new sights or cuisine, is getting to know the people. It is the people who create the culture of a place, and so it is by meeting the people that you come to understand what the place is all about. This is true even in a place as wild and natural as Hokkaido.
This epiphany came to me during a recent adventure tour with Deeper Adventure Tourism held in eastern Hokkaido. When I first joined this tour, I was primarily interested in seeing all the natural wonders the region has to offer. I love outdoor activities, and I love nature, so it was an easy fit. But, it was the local people that made the trip special.
Our two primary guides were Aya Masuyama and Toru Tanaka of Connectrip, who partnered with Deeper Adventure Tourism for this tour. Aya was our main guide, providing support both as a translator and educator of all things Hokkaido, with Toru planning the itinerary and handling the logistics of the trip, making sure we got everywhere together and on schedule. Part of what made Aya and Toru unique is that, unlike many tour guides, they are both from the region. In fact, every guide we interacted with on this trip had long-standing connections to Hokkaido.
But Aya and Toru aren’t just locals - they are consummate professionals in their field! Aya has the unique honor of being a certified “Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide” - a rare certification given to professionals who possess a deep understanding of Hokkaido’s nature, food, and culture. Toru is a member of Tobu Top Tours, a Japanese destination management company (DMC) where he both develops and coordinates adventure tours. So, in addition to their local expertise, Aya and Toru bring the highest level of guiding skills, making for an exceptional all-around tour experience.
Toru is a native of Hokkaido’s eastern region specifically, while Aya migrated from Tokyo but has lived here for nearly 25 years. having been raised in Kitami. Aya has lived in Hokkaido for nearly 25 years, having originally migrated from Tokyo. The love Toru and Aya have for Hokkaido was palpable throughout the tour. Whether we were cycling, hiking, kayaking, or just eating together, they seemed to be enjoying every moment with us, genuinely excited to share this place they call home. They were some of the friendliest, happiest guides I have talked to, and guiding our group didn’t seem like a mere job to them – they were genuinely happy to share their home with us!
One of my favorite parts of the tour was a hike up Mt. Io (also known by its traditional the Ainu name, Atosa-nupuri). Mt. Io is an active volcano, which becomes clear the moment you see it. All around the mountain, volcanic vents release clouds of sulfuric vapor, creating an other-worldly scene. Parts of the hike truly look like another planet! For safety reasons, hiking this mountain requires a special guide. So, for this section of the trip, we traveled with two licensed guides named Yukiko and Hagiwara (aka “Hagi”).
Yukiko is a transplant of ten years, while Hagi is another Hokkaido native. Both Yukiko and Hagi love Hokkaido and have a special passion for the volcanic region of Mt. Io. As we traveled around the mountain, it became clear how knowledgeable they both are about Mt. Io and nature in general. They did a great job keeping us safe and teaching us about the history and natural features of Mt. Io. They also both had an approachable demeanor - I always felt like I could ask them any questions and that I would learn something from them when I did (and I did learn a lot!).
During the tour, our group was able to enjoy kayaking through the natural landscapes of eastern Hokkaido on two separate occasions. The first was on Lake Kussharo, where I kayaked together with Aya. The second was on a river through the Kushiro Marshland, where I partnered with Tatsuya Ido (aka “Ta-chan”), also of Connectrip. To be honest, I’m not much of a water sports person, but I had a blast on these two outings, and it was largely thanks to Aya and Ta-chan. Talking with them both, I came to see how much they care about the natural environment of this region. I’m really grateful I was able to travel with them! It was a pleasure to hear about their passion for Hokkaido, and to experience their love for sharing their home with travelers to the region.
I saw this once again during our final meal at the “Heart’n Tree” restaurant. Owner Sachiko Hattori and her husband Masato run this restaurant on a beautiful hill in the countryside of Tsurui. But the restaurant isn’t just about the views—-it is also about harmony with nature, using local ingredients to create uniquely delicious dishes. Like others, Sachiko and Masato radiate friendliness that had a mom and dad kind of vibe to them, welcoming and embracing everyone who spends time with them. The dining experience matched their personalities! Sitting in this lovely house around a traditional table with friends and a homemade meal, it didn’t feel like a restaurant, it felt like home.
It is this careful balance between using and enjoying the land while also preserving and protecting it that makes Hokkaido such a joy to experience. For the people of Hokkaido, this land is not merely a natural tourist resort—it is a land of wonders worth honoring through their activities. The opportunity to enjoy this region together with locals was a special treat, and one I would highly recommend to anyone!
