WHEN Mr Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, chose Hokkaido as the site for the G-8 summit which is currently taking place, he said: "It's the right place to show the world how wonderful Japan is."
The location where the summit is held is certainly wonderful. Lake Toya is one of the most picturesque locations of "Ezo" or the North Island, as Hokkaido is known.
Tucked in the south-west corner of the island, Lake Toya is a caldera lake, and does not freeze even in Hokkaido's harsh winters due to the geothermal activity in the area.
There are active volcanoes around the lake, with the most active being Mount Usu, which erupts once every 20 to 30 years.
Aren't the residents wary of another volcanic eruption? They are, but the mountain gives ample warning. "Mount Usu never lies," they say.
In the previous two eruptions, seismologists had been able to detect the volcano's imminent tantrum and evacuated residents. As a result, there were no fatalities. A cable car takes visitors even closer to the barren head of Mount Usu.
Various viewing platforms and trails also give a better view of the area, including a trail that takes you to the crater floor.
Do not expect to walk across red hot lava, though, like The Simpsons did in the episode where they visited Japan. One can get close enough only to view the steaming vents of the volcano.
Around Toya are walking paths where one can get a close look at the damage wrought by the volcano. One trail leads through a key impact area of the last eruption in 2000. The main damage, ironically, tore up a road originally built for evacuation purposes.
ALL THAT'S LEFT: Trek around Lake Toya and you will see the extent of the damage wreaked when the active volcano of Mount Usu erupted, such as on buildings like this.
Besides ruined buildings and damaged road signs, there are vents which still leak hot gases. At a kindergarten
damaged during the eruption, a chest-sized rock is still stuck in the wall which it hit.
Near Mount Usu is Showan Shinzan, a mountain that started growing at the end of World War II. As all the Japanese scientists were committed to the war effort during the time, a postmaster took it upon himself to record the mountain's growth.
Lacking photographic equipment, he would make a series of sketches periodically, which is the only reliable record of the mountain's growth.
A statue commemorating his diligent effort has been erected at the site of the original post office where he worked and observed the mountain. The proximity between the volcano and the lake means that there is a wealth of natural hot springs in the area.
Most hotels around the lake have communal areas to soak in and offer the perfect reprieve after a day of hiking around the numerous trails.
Further north of Lake Toya are many other attractions that showcase Hokkaido's many wonders.
Asahikawa, the second largest city on Hokkaido, serves as a good base for Central Hokkaido. Just an hour away from Asahikawa is Furano, which has tourists surging to the location from late June to early August to admire the lavender blooms, particularly at Farm Tomita.
Lavender used to be a prime export of the area, but fell victim to cheap imports and the farm was threatened with closure. When the area became the subject of a television series, however, travellers from around Japan started turning up in droves and saved the farm.
PURPLE REIGN: Lavender blooms are the highlight in Farm Tomita from late June to early August.
Also nearby is the town of Biei, where one can view "the Patchwork Road" - crops planted by farmers bloom to create a quilt-like congregation of colours.
One of Asahikawa's most famous attractions is Asahiyama Zoo, the northernmost zoo in Japan. It was in danger of closing in the 1970s but a zookeeper came up with the idea of having the penguins, which had been sitting in their cages most of the time, get some exercise by strolling in the park.
This simple attraction started to pull in the tourists and the zoo's attendance started to rise once again. Following the success of the penguin walk, the zookeepers devised new ways to showcase animals that allowed visitors to get even closer to them.
These include the seal exhibit, where a water tunnel allows the animals to swim just centimetres away from visitors, and the polar bear exhibit, whose convex portholes lets one peer into the face of a curious bear. The "Fierce Animal" exhibit allows panthers to lie just above visitors' heads.
BEARY NEAR: Asahiyama Zoo's seal and polar bear exhibits give visitors a chance to eyeball the animals.
Handmade signs add a personal touch to the place though, unfortunately, most are in Japanese.
As I travelled around Hokkaido, I was taken in by the friendliness of its people and the harmony that existed between the people and the environment. Just as in Toyako, where residents brave the wrath of a volcano, there is a healthy respect for nature.
With environmental matters being the main topic on the G-8 summit agenda, it is hoped that the delegates find time to explore Hokkaido.
The citizens of Hokkaido would definitely wish that the beauty of the land will leave an impression on the delegates and support initiatives that would protect the environment.
5 things to do
1. Do try different ramen shops. Ramen is different all over Japan, with each region boasting its own style. Asahikawa is known for its soy sauce ramen while Sapporo ramen is famed for its rich miso broth.
2. Do visit the Ainu museum to learn about the indigenous people of Hokkaido and their customs.
3. Do shop in Sapporo. The largest city in Hokkaido has some premium shopping spots, including a labyrinth of an underground shopping mall.
4. Do check to see if there is a festival going on when you are visiting Hokkaido. Numerous festivals add colour to the region.
5. Do check out the Otokoyama Sake Museum in Asahikawa, which explains the history and culture of sake brewing. You will also get a chance to sample some of the world's best sake after the tour.
2 don'ts
1. Don't dip your towel in the water while you are bathing in the hot springs. It is considered unclean.
2. Don't buy individual train tickets if you are planning to use the extensive train system in Hokkaido. Consider getting the Flexible four-day pass at 18,000 yen (S$229) which allows you to travel on non-consecutive days.
How to get there
At the moment, there are no direct flights from Singapore to airports in Hokkaido. Travellers from Singapore need to go via Tokyo's Narita airport and then transfer to Haneda airport. Japan Airlines and Air Nippon Airways both have flights from Haneda to various cities in Hokkaido, such as Sapporo and Asahikawa.
Lake Toya is 11/2 to two hours away from Sapporo via train. There are also buses between the two locations, though they take up to an hour longer.
If you want to stay at the Windsor Hotel at Toyako, where the G-8 summit is being held, rooms start from 35,700 yen (S$453) a night. However, there are a variety of hotels of different price ranges throughout the area; lakeside views will cost around 12,000 yen (S$155) a night.
The train network in Hokkaido is quite extensive and there are various rail passes available to suit your travelling needs.
For travel information to Japan, log on to Japan National Tourist Organization Singapore Representative Office at www.jnto.org.sg
This article was first published in Life!, The Straits Times on July 8, 2008.
