Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a culinary celebration of Japan's northernmost island.

Hokkaido has long been celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene. The prefecture incorporates three foodways - European agricultural models; traditional and modern Japanese cuisine; and indigenous Ainu gastronomy - which have led to Hokkaido having a distinct food culture from the rest of Japan.

These foodways have resulted in Hokkaido incorporating a wealth of ingredients: milk, pork, wheat and lavender, drawing on the European influence; seaweed, fresh crab and melons, to utilise the top-quality local produce; wild venison, foraged wild vegetables and salmon, as a result of the Ainu influence.

Think Squid Stuffed with Seasoned Rice, Sweetcorn with Soy Sauce Butter, Wild Garlic Gyoza, Rice Dumplings with Walnut Sauce, as well as silky 'snowmelt' cheesecake and Crispy Sweetcorn Chocolate.

With beautiful photography, Hokkaido showcases one of the most unique and wonderful places to eat in the world.

Tim Anderson is a chef, writer and MasterChef champion. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Tim has been studying Japanese food culture for more than two decades, first as a hobby, then as a profession.