(ほっかいどう)

ほっかいどう
noun (proper)
Hokkaido
geographyproper-nounplace-name
1. Hokkaido
The northernmost of Japan's four main islands and one of its 47 prefectures. Known for its cold winters, natural scenery, dairy farming, and seafood.
北海道(ほっかいどう)(ふゆ)とても(さむ)
Hokkaido is very cold in winter.
北海道(ほっかいどう)牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう)おいしい。
Hokkaido milk is delicious.
Hokkaido is the largest prefecture in Japan and rich in nature.

北海道(ほっかいどう) is the northernmost and largest of Japan's 47 prefectures.

Common collocations

  • 北海道(ほっかいどう)旅行(りょこう): trip to Hokkaido
  • 北海道(ほっかいどう)(さん): produced in Hokkaido
  • 北海道(ほっかいどう)大学(だいがく): Hokkaido University

Cultural note

北海道(ほっかいどう) is home to the indigenous Ainu people (アイヌ民族(みんぞく)). Its capital is 札幌(さっぽろ), known for the annual snow festival ((ゆき)まつり). The region is famous for dairy products, seafood, and winter sports.