The size of Hokkaido is often talked about, but the distance between Sapporo and Hakodate is not a "just go there and come back" level of distance; it is an arduous journey that takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes by express train. A high school student who traveled between Sapporo and Hakodate on foot is gaining popularity on YouTube.

Kanaya's travel diary started from Hakodate and took 8 days to arrive at Sapporo. The distance is 314 km, and the total number of steps is about 370,000 steps. When he reported his goal, he received congratulatory comments from many people. But how did he come to make such an arduous journey? We interviewed Kanaya's travel diary to find out.

Hakodate-Sapporo is "just right in terms of distance" Kanaya's Travel Diary spoke to us.

Traveling on foot, or "traveling on foot," is one style of travel. Kanaya's Travel Diary has traveled on foot from Tokyo to Osaka and Osaka to Fukuoka.

--What inspired you to travel to Hokkaido?

Kanaya's Travel Diary: I decided to walk in Hokkaido because I wanted to go somewhere cool. I decided to go to Hakodate-Sapporo, which looked like a scenic and also a good distance in Hokkaido.

--What was the hardest part of the trip?

Kanaya's Travel Diary: Unlike previous walking trips, there were sections where there was really nothing but a straight road for 30 km. In particular, there were no restaurants or convenience stores between Nagamanbe and Toyoura, so we had to buy and carry a lot of food and other supplies in advance. Also, the constant fear of bears was quite mentally challenging.

We are looking at the town from different perspectives, not just walking around."

Kanaya's Travel Diary recorded by Ipponmichi

--What did you enjoy about your walking trip in Hokkaido?

Kanaya's Travel Diary: I was overwhelmed by the great natural scenery, which is not found in Honshu. I felt again that being able to gaze at the scenery forever without worrying about time is an experience that can only be had on a walking trip. Also, the food was excellent, and the hot springs and lodgings were all great memories.

During my walking trip, I try to look at the city from various perspectives, not just walking around. I try to look at the town from various perspectives, such as how the houses are built, the number of buses, vacant houses, where people gather, and the lines of flow of people. I had a chance to talk with a fisherman who told me, "Recently, the temperature of the sea has risen, and the fish we can catch have changed.

Walking and recording various aspects of the community

As I have a desire to learn more about social issues such as depopulation in the region in depth at university after learning more about the current situation, this trip was also interesting in terms of discoveries.

The trip is also being posted on YouTube

Kanaya's Travel Diary is now updating her journey on foot on YouTube. The videos containing the great nature of Hokkaido are heartwarming and soothing to watch. Please take a look at this page as well.