Blessed with a broad expanse of land, a sunny climate, and water on all sides, Hokkaido has a rich natural environment and is a treasure trove of farm and marine products that are cherished by people throughout Japan.

Corn, Potatoes, Melons . . .
Potatoes are the most popular farm product from Hokkaido. Nothing beats a piping hot spud topped with butter. The potato-based croquettes are also delectably creamy. And kids throughout Japan love potato chips made from the island's potatoes.

Hokkaido is also known for its corn, which is delicious when basted with soy sauce and barbecued. The island's pumpkins, meanwhile, are commonly used to make croquettes and desserts. Yubari melons, sweet and juicy with their orange flesh, are prized throughout Japan as a premium brand.

Delicacies from the sea are equally abundant here. Hokkaido is called "kingdom of the crabs" because so many varieties, including king crabs, hairy crabs, and snow crabs, are found here. One species, called hanasaki, can only be caught on the eastern side of the island and is a rare treat.

Besides crabs, Hokkaido is famous for its salmon, salmon eggs, herring, saury, and many types of shellfish. The list of Hokkaido's seafood delicacies is long. Two of the best ways to enjoy the fresh seafood are as sushi or as a topping on a bowl of rice.

"Genghis Khan" Barbecue
Hokkaido is not only renowned for its seafood and produce. The island is also famous for its ramen noodles. All three of the main varieties of ramen can be found on the island: Sapporo, the prefectural capital, is famed for its ramen in miso broth, Hakodate for its ramen in salted broth, and Asahikawa for its ramen in soy-sauce broth. The broth in all regions is hearty and satisfying. Each of the three cities boasts a large number of distinctive, well known noodle bars.

"Genghis Khan," meanwhile, is the name of a barbecue featuring mutton or lamb that originated in Hokkaido. The Genghis Khan barbecue, together with ramen, have been chosen as examples of culinary heritage to be handed down to future generations.

In a recent sign of Hokkaido's continuing influence on Japanese cuisine, soup curry, a new dish, took hold in and around Sapporo and is now popular throughout Japan.