Meet Yuuka
Hi, I’m Yuuka! I’m the author of My Eastern Hokkaido since 2019.
I grew up in the eastern part of the island and love sharing my tips and favorite local spots with travelers like you.
My mission is to help adventurous, independent travelers to plan their unforgettable trips to my beautiful home region, Hokkaido.
My expertise
As a local, I know Hokkaido’s best experiences inside out, from must-see spots and hidden gems to local culture and lifestyles.
On this website, I share travel tips and itineraries, based on over 20 years of first-hand experience living and traveling in Hokkaido.
Since I started my blog in 2019, I’ve helped over 300 international travelers avoid common mistakes and plan their perfect trips with my trip planning service and digital travel guides.
I also travel around the world, so I understand what you are looking for when you are planning a trip to Hokkaido!
Testimonials
Yuuka was so helpful: detailed, fast to respond, and full of great advice. She gave us many great ideas. Thank you so much!
— John & Christine from Hong Kong
If you ever need advice on a trip to Hokkaido – specially the off-the-beaten-path eastern part of it – I cannot recommend Yuuka enough!
— Hiro from Brazil
Yuuka’s travel guide was super helpful in not only planning a trip, but really an in-depth love and understanding of everything about Hokkaido.
Packed with useful information, links and advice – a super comprehensive resource! It’s amazing how much I have learned.
— Michael from Australia
Curious how I got here?
From a Countryside Hater to a Hokkaido Promoter
I used to hate the countryside I grew up in… until I realized just how amazing it really is.
I grew up in a city called Kitami in Eastern Hokkaido. My childhood was filled with countless weekend trips with my parents to explore Hokkaido’s natural beauty.
But little Yuuka didn’t appreciate it.
I found endless mountains and fields so boring. What I really wanted was the excitement of trendy shopping malls and big-city life.
As a teenager, my dream was clear: leave my quiet hometown and move to Tokyo.
And I did.
I went to university in Tokyo and worked abroad in Bangkok, Geneva and Cairo. I was living the city life I’d always dreamet of.
Then, in 2019, I found myself on a solo summer vacation on Corsica Island, France. Watching people swimming and relaxing in a forested river, I suddenly thought:
“They would love Hokkaido. There are so many natural places they’d enjoy.”
For the first time, I truly appreciated the beautiful places back home that my parents had introduced me to.
That evening, back at my hotel, I searched for Hokkaido travel information in English—but there was almost nothing truly helpful for international travelers.
“Alright, I’ll do it myself!”
That’s how my travel blog, My Eastern Hokkaido, was born. In that moment, I went from being a jaded countryside girl to a passionate promoter of Hokkaido.
Why I’m Here to Help You
Since then, it’s been my mission to share Hokkaido’s beauty with international travelers. It’s my way of staying connected to my beloved hometown and giving back while living abroad.
These days, I’m based in Geneva, Switzerland, where I juggle life as a mom to a 2-year-old boy and a Hokkaido travel blogger (both of which I enjoy so much!).
Contact
yuuka[at]myeasternhokkaido.com
(Remove the [at] and replace with @)
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or collaboration inquiries.
To request trip planning service, please go to this page.