Ainu Museum, Wagyu Beef, and Lake Shikotsu

Living in Montana, waking up to fresh sushi is either a fantasy or a very expensive (and often mediocre) possibility, but in Hokkaido many hotels make this a reality, with sashimi bowls a common breakfast option. It’s the kind of decadence that makes you want to take your time and linger over the meal, but with only three full days, we had to make each moment count! 

We headed out early from Sapporo to make our way to Upopoy, which is the National Ainu Museum and Park. If you have never heard of the Ainu people you can be forgiven - in fact, even many Japanese people are just learning about this ethnic minority, one of the few native to the Japanese Islands. The museum served as a great springboard to learn more about their culture, history and traditions, taking in ancient handicrafts, presentations, and immersive performances. 

Food is a highlight of any trip to Japan, and our first lunch also did not disappoint; incredibly fresh wagyu beef barbeque at Ushi no Sato, a local restaurant specializing in the delicacy. This is “hands on” do it yourself experience, cooking the beef to your preferred level of doneness, along with sides such as onions and sweet potatoes. I did my best to keep it to the rarer side, but even the few pieces that became more well done were still extremely tender and delicious. 

Our last stop of the day was to take in beautiful Lake Shikotsu, a caldera lake surrounded by mountains and active volcanoes. This lake has many scenic areas, so visitors can take in the lake via some short hikes around the water, or finding a nice place to relax along the shores. It’s also a great place to partake in more active excursions such as kayaking or paddle boarding, either in the lake itself or the vibrantly clear river flowing into it. Even though Sapporo is just around an hour away