Spot rare wildlife, soak in a hot spring and sail in a frozen wonderland on Japan’s northernmost island.

And yet, when invited, I was the first to jump at a chance to travel halfway around the world to stalk winter birds, drift ice and visit onsens in Hokkaido. Temperatures would be below freezing ...

Record snow has buried parts of the island of Hokkaido, Japan, this week. Obihiro received 47 inches (120 cm), setting a new record for 12-hour snowfall Monday night. pic.twitter.com/vAg1vopSHu— ...