Wild Hokkaido! - Season 5

First aired: 1/10/2021 21 episodes

Episodes

1. Mt. Furanodake in Autumn

Aired: 1/10/2021

The volcanic Mt. Furanodake rises in the south of the Taisetsu Mountain Range with a diverse environment. The program host sets out on a hike through a deep forest, crossing streams and enjoying beautiful waterfalls. After 2 hours of walking, he reaches an open space. It is a marshland formed by rainwater collecting on top of the lava. Later, we show you some footage of a Northern Pika that stores leaves in its den to survive the long winter in an alpine zone, where not many plants are able to grow.

2. Lake Furen in Autumn

Aired: 1/17/2021

Our stage this time is Lake Furen which is connected to the Sea of Okhotsk in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a brackish lake with a circumference of 65km. The program host canoes down the river that flows into the lake, and enjoys watching white-tailed eagles and other birds. In the marshland facing the sea, he also observes sika deer at close range. Later, we show you some footage of red-crowned cranes raising their young by the lake where the tide ebbs and flows, as well as red fox feeding on fish left on the tidal flats.

3. Shimukappu in Winter

Aired: 2/7/2021

Shimukappu is located almost in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is an area that gets severely cold in winter, where the snow-covered deep forest stretches. The program host explores the forest on a fat bike, which can be ridden easily through snowy terrain. He enjoys the spectacular scenery and the fluffy fresh snow as if he were a little child again. Later, we also show you the life of Siberian flying squirrels, which congregate in large groups only during winter by building a nest inside the hollow of a tree trunk.

4. Winter in Lake Akan

Aired: 2/14/2021

Our stage this time is Lake Akan in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is a caldera lake created as a result of ancient volcanic activity. In the dead of winter, the lake is completely frozen over. Our program host walks around the surrounding forests inhabited by a variety of wild fauna, as well as over the frozen lake to experience the flourishing forest and the energy of the volcano, which is still active today. Later, we show you rare footage of the lakeside facility of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, as well as some mysterious phenomena created in the lake by the intense winter conditions.

5. Harsh Winter in Lake Shikotsu

Aired: 3/7/2021

Our stage this time is Lake Shikotsu, located about an hour's drive from Hokkaido Prefecture's capital city of Sapporo with a population of over 1.9 million. Although the lake does not freeze over even during the harsh winter, its shores are decorated with beautiful ice formations. Our program host takes a canoe trip along Lake Shikotsu and the Chitose River, which flows out of the lake, to enjoy the beauty of the icy landscapes and wildlife encounters on the water. Later, we show you some footage of the creatures that survive the winter at Lake Shikotsu.

6. Enjoy Japow: Niseko Area

Aired: 3/14/2021

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, one of the top resort destinations in all of Hokkaido Prefecture, where fresh snow piles up almost every day during winter. The program host enjoys the great outdoors through a variety of fun winter activities, aside from skiing and snowboarding.

7. Dogsledding in Kitataisetsu

Aired: 4/4/2021

Our stage this time is Kitataisetsu, located near the center of Hokkaido Prefecture. The program's participant will try dogsledding in the snowfields here. A dogsled expert for this episode has learned in Alaska, the home of dogsledding, and has been running dog sledding tours here for the past 8 years. By becoming one with the dogs that he has raised with loving care, he can run through the undulating snowfields like the wind. Will the participant be able to get through to the dogs? Later, we show you the footage that captured the breathtaking natural phenomena in Kitataisetsu.

8. Fishing in the Tokachi Plain in Early Spring

Aired: 5/2/2021

Our stage this time is the Tokachi Plain in the eastern part of Hokkaido Prefecture. We enjoy fishing in a tributary that flows into the Tokachi River in early spring. The river, which runs through a flat farmland, has a gentle current and provides a hiding place for large rainbow trout. We visited the river with 2 fishers this time, one of whom tries a Western fly-fishing method, and the other one tries his hand at "Tenkara," the Japanese method of hook-and-line fishing, to catch a large fish over 40 centimeters in length. Later, we also show you the fantastic scenery created by the gentle current of the Tokachi River during the severe winter months.

9. Wild Vegetable Picking in Shiraoi

Aired: 6/6/2021

Spring has arrived in Hokkaido Prefecture. During this season, people enjoy gathering and eating delicious wild plants that have sprouted in the mountains and fields. This time, in Shiraoi Town facing the Pacific Ocean, a Canadian man living in Hokkaido tries his hand at picking wild vegetables, guided by an indigenous Ainu woman who has lived with the blessings of nature. He learns how to identify, pick and cook edible wild plants, as well as the lessons of nature that have been inherited by the Ainu people. Later, we also show you some footage of the unique spring flowers that bloom in the forests of Hokkaido.

10. Kayaking Along the Mukawa River

Aired: 7/4/2021

Our stage this time is the Mukawa River that flows along the Pacific side of Hokkaido Prefecture. Among kayakers, it is renowned as one of the most outstanding rapids in Japan. In spring, a kayaker who has acted as a river guide on famous raging rivers all over the world is taking on the challenge to kayak along the raging river swollen with snowmelt, testing his skills and judgment. He experiences the rich nature in Mukawa, weaving his way through the boulders in splashing waters. Later, we also show you footage of the wild creatures that live in the upper reaches of the Mukawa River.

11. Catching Giant Fish at Lake Shumarinai

Aired: 7/11/2021

In the legend of the Ainu, an indigenous people in Japan, there is a giant fish that is believed to be able to even swallow a bear. The name of the fish is Japanese huchen. In this episode, a French fishing guide tries his hand at fishing for Japanese huchen, which can grow up to 2 meters in length, at Lake Shumarinai in northern Hokkaido Prefecture. He uses lures of different colors and shapes to catch the giant fish called "fish of phantom," but will he be able to catch it? Later, we also show you footage of a Japanese huchen and reveal why it can grow so large.

12. Cycling in the Suburbs of Sapporo

Aired: 8/1/2021

Our stage this time is in the suburbs of Sapporo, a metropolis with a population of about 2 million. A British cycling guide enjoys cycling through the countryside and along the coast in the refreshing June weather. He is a seasoned cyclist who has been enjoying cycling tours in Hokkaido Prefecture for over 30 years. Every year, he rides close to 15 thousand kilometers. Taking advantage of his healthy legs, he fully enjoys the charm of Hokkaido in early summer, when the scenery changes daily. There is a lot of excitement that can only be encountered on a bicycle trip.

13. Fly Fishing in Niseko

Aired: 8/8/2021

Our stage this time is the 126km-long Shiribetsu River and its many tributaries flowing through the Niseko area in western Hokkaido Prefecture, where we enjoy fly fishing in early summer. Surrounded by rich nature, the spring-fed river is a paradise for mountain stream fish such as Landlocked Masu Salmon, White-spotted Char, and Rainbow Trout. A French fishing guide visited this place to challenge the fish here with his own flies at various fishing points such as gentle streams and stream pools.

14. Canoeing on the Teshio River Part 1

Aired: 9/5/2021

In this episode, a Canadian-born veteran canoeist will take a two-day trip down the Teshio River, which flows through the wilderness of northern Hokkaido Prefecture, with his wife. There are no dams blocking the river from its mouth to around 158km, and the river offers a wide range of rapids and gentle currents, making it a great place to experience the joy of canoeing. The middle reaches of the river are particularly thrilling, with a series of rapids and riffles. A husband, who has been canoeing for 30 years, works closely with his wife to clear many difficult sections while enjoying the river.

15. Canoeing on the Teshio River Part 2

Aired: 9/12/2021

In this episode, a Canadian-born veteran canoeist will take a two-day trip down the Teshio River, which flows through the wilderness of northern Hokkaido Prefecture, with his wife. The 256-kilometer-long river flows through vast forests and wildernesses from its midstream to its mouth. The couple will enjoy a relaxing canoe trip, encountering a variety of wild birds along the way, cooking delicious outdoor meals, and searching for their "personal jewels" along the riverbank.

16. Sea Kayaking in Shakotan

Aired: 10/3/2021

Our stage this time is the Shakotan Peninsula, which overlooks the Sea of Japan in Hokkaido Prefecture. A French kayaking specialist and a Japanese guide take a tour along the coastline in a sea kayak, where they fully enjoy a unique nature experience in an unknown spot that can only be reached from the sea. The coastline, with its 100-meter-high cliffs, offers many exciting adventures for them. They also encounter wild animals along the way. Further, we show you some footage of the seabirds that survive here.

17. Hill Climbing in Niseko Mountain Range

Aired: 10/10/2021

Our stage this time is the Niseko mountain range in western Hokkaido Prefecture. A British cycling guide takes on the challenge of a hill climb up a mountain road on a bicycle. The route with an elevation difference of around 720 meters connecting the mountains of the Niseko mountain range is tough, which requires skill and stamina for cyclists. However, there is a panorama overlooking the land and the rich nature of Hokkaido that makes the challengers forget their fatigue. We also show you some footage of the beautiful scenery of the Niseko mountain range, colored with autumn foliage.

18. Traversing the Shiretoko Mountain Range Part 1

Aired: 11/7/2021

Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage site, is home to a series of mountains over 1,500 meters high. This time, a Canadian living in Hokkaido Prefecture traverses the Shiretoko mountain range over 3 days as autumn arrives. His first destination is Mt. Rausudake, the highest peak on the Shiretoko Peninsula. The grueling climbing route through the wilderness provides him with encounters with rare plants and wildlife. In the changeable autumn weather, what awaits the climber at the summit is a miraculous and mysterious landscape.

19. Traversing the Shiretoko Mountain Range Part 2

Aired: 11/14/2021

Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage site, is home to a series of mountains over 1,500 meters high. This time, a Canadian living in Hokkaido Prefecture traverses the Shiretoko mountain range over 3 days as autumn arrives. After leaving Mt. Rausudake, he heads for Mt. Io through the forest of Siberian Dwarf Pines laden with fruit. There, he encounters huge wild animals that eat berries in preparation for winter. In this episode, we feature the majesty of great nature to be experienced through traversing the Shiretoko mountain range with dynamic images.

20. Canoeing Down the Kushiro River Part 1

Aired: 12/19/2021

Our stage this time is the Kushiro River in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. A couple of canoeists will spend 3 days descending the 154-kilometer-long river. The uppermost part of the river flows through a deep forest decorated with autumn foliage. The 2 skillfully maneuver their canoe through the river, which has thick branches and fallen trees lying in the water. It is an exciting canoe trip where the canoeists show their experience and skills. Later, we also show you some footage of the Japanese Huchen, Japan's largest freshwater fish, that lives in the Kushiro River.

21. Canoeing Down the Kushiro River Part 2

Aired: 12/26/2021

Our stage this time is the Kushiro River in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. A couple of canoeists will spend 3 days descending the 154-kilometer-long river. The middle to lower reaches of the Kushiro River flows gently through the Kushiro Marsh, the largest wetland in Japan. Wild animals such as Sika Deer, Red Foxes, and Crested Kingfishers show up in the quiet nature. The 2 enjoy camping along the way as they make their way to the mouth of the river where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Later, we also show you rare footage of Red-crowned Cranes raising their young.