Hokkaido Travel Tips

: What Actually Happens When JR Trains Stop in Hokkaido

2026/1/27 Hokkaido, japan winter travel, JR Hokkaido, Sapporo, service suspension, snow disruption, train cancellations, train delays, transport planning, winter travel

When JR trains stop in Hokkaido, the situation often feels different from a typical train delay on Honshu. When you see news about heavy snow, you might think it simply means minor delays, or that trains will start running again once the snowfall eases. In reality, a suspension does not automatically mean trains will be stopped all day. In winter, there are many cases where services are suspended for several hours, and then manage to restart later in the evening. However, when conditions are particularly bad, in rare cases the decision may be made not to resume service for the ...

Hokkaido Travel Tips

: Why Checking the Snow Forecast Is Critical When Traveling in Hokkaido

2026/1/27 Hokkaido winter, japan winter travel, snow forecast, transportation risk, travel planning

When planning a trip to Hokkaido, checking the weather forecast feels like a routine step. Most travelers look at it to confirm whether their plans seem safe and workable. In winter, however, weather forecasts in Hokkaido serve a slightly different purpose. They are not meant to reassure you that your itinerary will go as planned, but to help you question whether that plan truly holds. Even if transportation operated normally the day before, conditions can change overnight. By the morning of travel, rail services may already be affected. This is because in Hokkaido, the impact of snow depends less on ...

Hokkaido Travel Tips

: When Heavy Snow Can Temporarily Stop an Entire City in Hokkaido

2026/1/26 decision support, heavy snow, Hokkaido winter, travel disruption

Winter travel in Hokkaido is often explained simply as “there is a lot of snow.” That description is not wrong, but it does not fully capture the reality. Once every few years, the main issue is not the amount of snow itself, but the way heavy snowfall can temporarily slow down or stop city functions. Transportation pauses. Logistics are delayed. Movement across the city does not follow schedules as planned. This can happen even in major urban areas. This does not occur every winter. At the same time, it is not treated as a rare or abnormal event by people ...

Hokkaido Travel Tips

: What to Do When an Earthquake Strikes in Japan: A Calm Guide for Foreign Travelers

2025/12/23 disaster preparedness, Earthquake Early Warning, earthquake safety, evacuation tips, Hakodate tsunami, Hokkaido earthquake, Japan travel tips, travel safety Japan, tsunami safety, what to do in an earthquake

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Some travelers are even curious to “experience a Japanese earthquake once.” But when a strong quake actually happens, curiosity is not enough. What protects you is calm action and a few simple rules you already know in advance. As a local guide from Hokkaido, my main message is simple: if an earthquake happens during your trip, focus on three things: protect your body, turn off fire and heaters, and secure your escape route. If you remember these three points, you can greatly reduce the risk of serious danger. Why ...

Earthquake & Natural Disaster Guide Hokkaido Travel Tips Travel Safety in Japan