BIBAI, Hokkaido--A mammoth flock of white-fronted ... An estimated 49,000 of the geese were spotted on April 18 at the Miyajimanuma marsh, Japan’s largest and northernmost stopover point ...

KUSHIRO, Hokkaido--Motorists driving westward ... Shibecha town and Tsurui village, which co-host the Kushiro marsh, increased from 50 to 301 over the past decade as well. At the request of ...

The Hokkaido village of Shosanbetsu is home to about 1,000 people and a single convenience store. Residents rely on this store as a source of fresh food and basic necessities, especially in midwinter.