The northernmost island of Japan is considered a true winter wonderland, with world-famous ski resorts and hot springs. The island's capital, Sapporo, became known to a wider public through the Winter Olympics. The ancient Ainu culture sets Hokkaido's population apart from that of other Japanese islands. Many inhabitants still practice their faith today. For example, on special occasions, people sew clothes made of bird feathers and collect special plants for the winter. A breathtaking view of the island can be seen from the Unkai platform, which is located in the foothills of the Hidaka Mountains and can be reached by gondola. Unkai means fog - which on a summer morning glides over the cliffs like a dense river of mist.
