ABOUT

Hokkaido, the Northern part of Japan, is one of the country's most popular destinations for those seeking unique experiences. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty and clearly defined seasons, it continues to attract visitors from across Japan.

Map: Japan consists of four main islands and Okinawa

The map compiled by the author using free map resources provided by Shiro tizu nurinuri.

I was born in and raised in Sapporo, the biggest city in Hokkaido. After graduating from Hokkaido University, I lived in Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu - Japan's other main islands -  before moving overseas. Still, my heart remains with my mother island.

The blog's name KAMUYKOTAN ( 神居古潭 ) means 'the village of gods' or 'the place of gods'. Kamuy (神居 or 神威) is one of my favourite place names, Cape Kamuy (神威岬) on the Shakotan Peninsula, for example. Most place names in Hokkaido originate from the Ainu language, including well-known ones like Sapporo (札幌), Otaru (小樽) and Niseko (ニセコ). Kamuykotan is also one of them.

Image: Cape Kamuy, Shakotan - September 2022

In the mid-19th century, many place names in Hokkaido were difficult to transcribe into Japanese kanji, making them surprisingly hard to read for people from other regions of Japan - even today.

Over time, while some landscapes I once knew have transformed dramatically, others still remain just as they were - along with their enduring beauty.

Image: Sunset, Otaru - August 1980

So, I would like to share images that capture how Hokkaido has changed and remained unchanged over time. However, since this blog is just a personal space, photos that I post come from various places and moments, often in no particular order. 

Image: Tsukisamu Park, Sapporo - January 1981

Most of the photos on this blog were taken by my father, with some of the more recent ones taken by me. 

He lived and travelled all around Hokkaido. Although it was a time when cameras were not easy to carry around, he always kept his camera close and used a lot of film, capturing not only his family members but also the beautiful scenery of Hokkaido.

I am not sure how many photos I will be able to share on this blog, as digitising a large number of old pictures seems to take a long time. However, I plan to update the blog at a relaxed pace.

Image: Ebisu Shrine, Suttsu - 1969

I hope this website provides those who are interested in visiting this lovely island with fresh perspectives.

7th July, 2025

Updated, 2nd February, 2026

Image: Maruyama Zoo, Sapporo - August 1970