Wild Hokkaido! - Season 4

First aired: 1/5/2020 18 episodes

Episodes

1. Sapporo

Aired: 1/5/2020

Our stage this time is Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido Prefecture. To the west of Sapporo's city center are many mountains, where you can fully enjoy its rich nature. Our program host treks through the mountain path that leads from locally popular Mt. Sankakuyama to Mt. Okurayama, and encounters a variety of plants as well as wildlife along the way. Further, a spectacular view awaits him at the summit. Later, we show you rare footage of local wildlife in the Toyohira River, which flows through the city and is a source of sustenance for them.

2. Autumn in the Taisetsu Mountain Range

Aired: 1/12/2020

Our stage this time is the Taisetsu Mountain Range, which is consisting of several peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level and is designated a national park, the largest in Japan. Our program host explores the numerous ponds located at the mountainside. Autumn arrives early here in the Taisetsu Mountain Range, where the fall foliage is at its most beautiful in late September, and magnificent scenery colored in bright red and yellow spreads out. Later, we show you rare footage of some wildlife that inhabits near the summit, preparing for the winter.

3. Enjoy Japow: Kiroro

Aired: 2/2/2020

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow, Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. Our stage this time is Kiroro, a ski resort in western Hokkaido Prefecture. The season arrives in Kiroro earlier than anywhere else in Hokkaido, where quality powder snow can be fully enjoyed. Later, we show you the nearby tourist destination, Otaru.

4. Notsuke Peninsula

Aired: 2/9/2020

Our stage this time is the Notsuke Peninsula that stretches approximately 26 kilometers in the east of Hokkaido Prefecture. Its curvature is the result of sand and rocks deposited by the tides, and the natural environment found here is even rare in Hokkaido. Our program host takes a boat to places you cannot reach on foot, encountering the unique and strange landscape as well as its wild inhabitants. Furthermore, our camera crew dives into the shallow ocean surrounding the peninsula and introduces you to the underwater forest of seaweed and its precious ecology.

5. Enjoy Japow: Niseko HANAZONO

Aired: 2/29/2020

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow called Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. This program is a special episode of Wild Hokkaido! to convey the attraction of "Japow," so you can fully enjoy it. Our stage this time is HANAZONO resort in Niseko, which attracts many international tourists. Our program host experiences the very best powder snow with a "powder guide" on a variety of courses.

6. Kiritappu in Winter

Aired: 3/7/2020

Our stage this time is Kiritappu in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. Here, you will find the unique natural environment created by the Pacific Ocean, coastal wetland, and forest. Our program host explores the vast wetland and observes a variety of wildlife as well as plants during winter. In addition, he joins a tour to fully enjoy the seafood of Kiritappu, where the fishing industry is thriving. Later, we show you rare footage of wildlife that strives to secure food, in order to survive the harsh winter.

7. Lake Akkeshi in Winter

Aired: 5/9/2020

Our stage this time is Lake Akkeshi in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a brackish-water lake that connects to the Pacific Ocean. A variety of wildlife inhabits here, but during the coldest period in winter, almost the entirety of Lake Akkeshi turns to ice. Our program host attempts to catch fish on the frozen river that pours into Lake Akkeshi, at temperatures below freezing. His aim is to catch the delicious and popular Japanese smelt. Is he able to achieve the result he wants? Later, we show you footage of migratory birds on Lake Akkeshi.

8. Hills of Biei in Winter

Aired: 5/17/2020

Our stage this time is Biei in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a town with hills created by ancient volcanic activity. Our program host, together with a professional photographer, tries his hand at scenic photography. There are snow-covered hills and forests with the Tokachi mountain range in the background. They go around to a number of photography points to get creative and crop the magnificent scenery. Later, we show you rare footage of wildlife, such as the red fox, surviving the harsh winter in the hills.

9. Lake Kussharo in Winter

Aired: 6/7/2020

Our stage this time is Lake Kussharo in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. There are still a number of places to witness displays of the energy of volcanoes. Our program host walks through the forest in mid-winter and discovers traces of surviving wild animals. Further, they head to the place where an unusual environment is kept due to the geothermal activity. Later, we show you rare footage of some striking scenery created by the extreme winter conditions on Lake Kussharo, as well as a unique hot spring at the lakeside where migratory birds gather.

10. Early Summer in Tokachi River

Aired: 7/19/2020

Our stage this time is Tokachi River which flows from the Daisetsuzan mountain range through the Tokachi Plain into the Pacific Ocean. Our program host tries his hand at fishing upstream on the river, which is 156 kilometers in length. There is a wide variety and number of fish in the river, and he aims to fish some Dolly Varden, that live only in Hokkaido Prefecture. Later, we show you rare footage of some wildlife, including Red-crowned Cranes, taking care of their chick in the middle reaches of the river.

11. The Sea of Hakodate

Aired: 8/2/2020

Our stage this time is the seaside town Hakodate, located south of Hokkaido Prefecture. Facing the Tsugaru Strait, the town is known as a good place to catch various types of fish. Our program host tries his hand at sea fishing in early summer on a boat, aiming to catch flatfish and Japanese Flying Squid that gather off Hakodate from this time of year. Will he be able to catch Hakodate's specialty? Later, we show you rare footage, filmed underwater, of Smooth Lumpsuckers spawning and protecting their eggs.

12. Enjoy Japow: Niseko Grand HIRAFU

Aired: 9/6/2020

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow, Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. We hope you will thoroughly enjoy this special episode of Wild Hokkaido, introducing you to Japow. Our stage this time is Niseko's largest ski resort called Niseko Grand HIRAFU, which attracts many foreign visitors. Our program host fully enjoys the powder snow there and introduces some popular places at the foot of the ski resorts.

13. Enjoy Japow: Kamui Ski Links

Aired: 10/4/2020

Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world come in search of Japan's finest snow, Japan Powder Snow, or "Japow" for short. In this special episode, we hope you will thoroughly enjoy this special episode of Wild Hokkaido, introducing you to Japow. Our stage this time is Kamui Ski Links in Asahikawa City in northern Hokkaido Prefecture. Our program host fully enjoys the powder snow, as he races along the course with a maximum width of 150 meters. Later, we also introduce some tourist attractions including Asahiyama Zoo.

14. Early Summer on the Ishikari Coastline

Aired: 10/11/2020

Our stage this time is Ishikari, a city located next to Sapporo which is the largest city in Hokkaido Prefecture. Here, sandy beaches, forests, and grasslands stretch about 25 kilometers along the Sea of Japan. The coastline of Ishikari provides one of the largest colonies of coastal plants. Our program host experiences trekking on horseback and enjoys the flowers that bloom in early summer. He also has the exhilarating experience of riding a horse into the water. Later, we show you footage of some wildlife including wild birds raising their young on the coastline of Ishikari.

15. Shakotan Peninsula

Aired: 11/1/2020

The Shakotan Peninsula juts out into the Sea of Japan. The brilliant hue of the surrounding waters is called "Shakotan Blue," while its sheer cliffs create an impressive landscape. The program host takes a clear-bottomed kayak out into the sea with a local guide to take in the scenery from the water. They row their kayaks into a cave on the cliff, where the water glows a mysterious blue color. Also, witness some rare footage of chum salmon, making their difficult journey from river to sea.

16. Clear Streams of Sapporo

Aired: 11/8/2020

Sapporo, a metropolitan city with a population of nearly 2 million people, is one of only a few cities in Hokkaido Prefecture crisscrossed by so many rivers -- in fact, nearly 600 of them. The program host gets on a subway train from the center of the city and then walks along the rivers to the campground. Everything necessary for camping is available for rent, making it easy to enjoy the outdoor experience. He tries his hand at chopping some wood and enjoys a barbecue. Also, witness some rare footage of Japanese crayfish and other creatures that live in the rivers of Sapporo.

17. Lake Saroma

Aired: 12/6/2020

Our stage this time is Lake Saroma, the largest lake in Hokkaido Prefecture, facing the Sea of Okhotsk. Seawater and fresh water are mixed together in this lake, and when the tide is low, tidal flats are revealed, attracting wild birds in search of food. The program host enjoys bird watching in the lake where various wild birds gather. Some rare birds are also seen here, taking a break during their migration. Later, we show you some footage of the wildflowers that bloom in the lake's sandy soil of the wildflower park, as well as the wild birds that raise their young.

18. Sounkyo in Autumn

Aired: 12/12/2020

Our stage this time is Sounkyo. It is located in the Daisetsu mountain range, almost in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a ravine with cliffs as high as 200 meters, created by volcanic activities that occurred 30,000 years ago. In autumn, the area is beautifully colored with autumn leaves. The program host rides a bicycle and encounters the beautiful scenery that the ravine offers. Further, he climbs Mt. Kurodake, which is over 1,900 meters above sea level, to fully enjoy its scenery as autumn deepens. Later, we show you some footage of wildlife inhabiting this area, filmed during fall and winter.