The sheer size of Hokkaido is a frequent topic of conversation, and the distance between Sapporo and Hakodate is certainly not something you can cover on a quick day trip. It's a formidable journey that takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes by limited express train. A high school student who walked this entire distance has been gaining popularity on YouTube.

The poster, Kanaya's Travel Diary, started in Hakodate and arrived in Sapporo eight days later. This ultra-long-distance journey covered 314 kilometers and involved approximately 370,000 steps. His post on X announcing his achievement was met with a flood of congratulatory comments. But why would he undertake such an arduous journey? We had the opportunity to speak with Kanaya's Travel Diary.

Hakodate to Sapporo was "Just the Right Distance": An Interview with Kanaya's Travel Diary

A "walking journey" is one style of travel. Kanaya's Travel Diary has previously undertaken walking trips from Tokyo to Osaka and from Osaka to Fukuoka.

――What inspired you to travel through Hokkaido?

Kanaya's Travel Diary: I wanted to go somewhere cool, so I decided to try walking through Hokkaido. Within Hokkaido, I chose the Hakodate to Sapporo route because the scenery looked beautiful and the distance seemed just right.

――What was the most challenging part of this trip?

Kanaya's Travel Diary: Unlike my previous walking trips, there was a section where it was just a single straight road for 30km with absolutely nothing else. Particularly between Oshamambe and Toyoura, there were no restaurants or convenience stores at all, so I had to buy a lot of food and supplies in advance and carry them with me. Also, the constant fear of bears was quite mentally taxing.

"I don't just walk; I observe the towns from various perspectives."

The "single straight road" recorded by Kanaya's Travel Diary

――What did you enjoy about your walking journey in Hokkaido?

Kanaya's Travel Diary: I was blown away by the grand natural scenery, which you can't find in Honshu. Being able to gaze at the landscape for as long as I wanted without worrying about time is an experience I feel you can only have on a walking journey. Also, the food was exquisite, and the hot springs and accommodations all became wonderful memories.

During my walking trips, I try to do more than just walk; I observe the towns from various perspectives: the architecture of the houses, the frequency of buses, vacant homes, where people gather, and their patterns of movement. I had a chance to talk to a fisherman who told me, "The temperature of the sea has risen recently, and the types of fish we can catch have changed."

Documenting various aspects of the region on foot

I want to gain a good understanding of the current situation regarding social issues like regional depopulation before studying them deeply at university, so this trip was full of interesting discoveries for me.

He also shares his journey on YouTube

Kanaya's Travel Diary is updating his walking journey on YouTube. The videos, capturing the grand nature of Hokkaido, are heartwarming and soothing to watch. Please be sure to check them out.