Why You Should Study Abroad: A Hokkaido Photo Essay

Isaac James, Community Desk Lead

If you stopped me, even as recently as a year ago, and told me that over the summer of 2026 I'd be spending as long as 6 weeks more than 6,500 miles away in Japan, I would have scarcely believed you. It had been a long-time dream of mine to visit the country, but last year I was given an opportunity to do something completely unprecedented for myself. Through a study abroad organization called Youth For Understanding, I applied for a 6-week immersion program providing the opportunity to spend the summer in Japan. I ended up being placed in Niseko, a small skiing town in Japan's northern-most island, Hokkaido.

Niseko

Mt. Yotei

Commonly referred to as Ezo-Fuji (Fuji of Hokkaido), for its resemblance to Japan's famous mountain, Mt. Yotei is Niseko's most imposing landmark. The mountain is visible from almost anywhere in town.

mt. Annupuri

Mt. Annupuri is Niseko's main skiing center. Niseko is famous for its powder snow, nicknamed Japow. Aside from skiing, you can also hike to the peak of Annupuri, with a challenging climb of 1,800 feet in elevation in just over 1.5 miles.

Fujimi

Fujimi is Niseko's quiet residential neighborhood, housing Niseko High School and its dormitory, where I stayed. Located just a 3 minute walk from Niseko High School's dormitory is Seicomart, Hokkaido's regional convenience store chain.

Being in Niseko for the better part of 2 months, I feel that I can confidently call it a second home. The friends I made, the things I learned, and the experiences I had were all unforgettable. While I had studied Japanese for five years before I embarked on my summer abroad, I couldn't have anticipated just how different that type of knowledge is to the knowledge required for high school classes in Japanese. It took a while to adjust, but I found that after a certain point I hit a breakthrough of sorts in my knowledge of the language. I found myself having complicated conversations, being a more active member of classes, and even going on a two hour hike with one of my teachers. To say that the experience was transformative would be an understatement. As soon as possible, I intend to study abroad for as long as a semester or full year in college. I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone with even the slightest interest looks into study abroad programs, no matter how short.

Otaru

denuki koji

Denuki Koji is a unique dining center in Otaru. The small area hosts as many as 20 restaurants, most of which highlight Otaru's famous seafood scene.

otaru canal

The Otaru Canal is the most famous attraction in the city. Otaru, the canal in particular, is known for its early 20th century architecture, a remnant from the early days of the city's industry.

Lawson

While Lawson (one of Japan's premier convenience stores) is anything but a local institution, its juxtaposition alongside the historic shopping alleys of Otaru provides a fun contrast between new and old.

Soubetsu

Showa-shinzan

Showa-Shinzan is a volcanic mountain in Soubetsu created sometime between 1943 and 1945 by massive earthquakes. The mountain emits steam at all times, and the site is considered a national geopark.

Fruit village

One of Soubetsu's largest tourist attractions is its robust local fruit scene. Soubetsu is famous for its apples and cherries. My high school took us on a field trip to the "Fruit Village," a site where visitors can enjoy all-you-can-eat cherry picking.

Lake toya

Lake Toya is a massive volcanic cadera lake that serves as something of a geographical anchor for the town of Soubetsu. The lake covers an area of about 27 square miles, and was created more than 100 thousand years ago.

Sapporo

kitahiroshima

Kitahiroshima is a smaller sub-city in the Sapporo metropolitan area. Upon arriving in Japan, I took a flight from Tokyo to Shin-Chitose airport in Sapporo, before staying the night at a hotel in Kitahiroshima. The name means "Northern Hiroshima," and comes from the historical movement of Hiroshima locals to the area.

Es con field

The Es Con Field is the home stadium of Hokkaido's premier baseball team, the Nipponham Fighters. The Fighters are huge in Hokkaido and are well-known as Shohei Ohtani's former team. My high school in Japan took us on a field trip to the stadium to watch a game live, an unforgettable experience.

ishiyama

The Ishiyama Green Space is a stunning nature park in the outskirts of Sapporo. The park is centered around a former quarry and features beautiful views of the natural and human-made rock formations. My teachers took us here after a field trip in my final full week in Japan, and it felt like a poetic way to say goodbye to Sapporo.

My time in Japan was unique in so many ways. The only moments I spent in Tokyo were at the airport. I never once stepped foot in a Don Quijote (famous Japanese discount store), and most of my time was spent going to school. While I do want to experience the touristy side of Japan one day, I couldn't be more grateful that I ended up being a 2-hour flight north of the capital. From my own research, I knew a good deal about Hokkaido, but research could have never taught me what I learned from being there among locals, speaking Japanese every day. A 6-week trip transformed me from someone who could hold a basic conversation or read a children's book to someone who could spend 2 hours discussing the Japanese education system while hiking with a teacher. Whether it's studying abroad or just tourism, get out there and see the world.

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