All Hokkaido Staff- Meet Jordan!

Hello from the All Hokkaido staff! We are going to introduce ourselves and the other members of Hokkaido Treasure Island over a series of posts. This time, we’re introducing the last of our core staff members, Jordan!

What is your job? 
At the moment, a little bit of everything. I am in charge of updating and creating listings on All Hokkaido, speaking with clients and arranging custom 1-day tours and special activities, translating and filling in as a guide when it’s needed, helping our local guides and meeting new ones, and helping new guides create their own experiences for inbound visitors to Hokkaido. I have a lot of fun!

Why did you come to Hokkaido originally?
I was originally an ALT (assistant English teacher) in Takinoue, which is northern Hokkaido. I only planned to be in Hokkaido for a few years with the intent to return to the US where I’m originally from, but I really fell in love. I ended up working at Takinoue’s tourism association for a few years before coming to this job.

What do you love about Hokkaido? 
That is a big question! Really, it’s the people. Hokkaido is not always the easiest place to live, with the big snowfall and remoteness of some of the towns around the edges of the island. I feel like people in Hokkaido are always looking out for each other, and that extends to visitors as well. I love speaking with my neighbors and the people where I live, and I have seen many times how people help each other out when something happens (like getting your car stuck in the snow!)

What is your favorite thing to do when you have time?
Camping for sure! Most of the campsites around Hokkaido are really well maintained and beautiful, and getting to do fun outdoor things all day before having a yakiniku barbecue, enjoying some Hokkaido craft beers, star watching, and going to sleep outside is great.

What do you hope everyone who comes to Hokkaido will do?
Take a drive (or a cycle for those not driving) outside of the towns into the fields or forests off of the main roads. Hokkaido is truly beautiful, and having quiet moments to take it all in really drives home how great it is. Also, join a guided activity!! Talking to Hokkaido people is great.

What is your fondest Hokkaido memory? 

The year I moved to Takinoue, I was not prepared for winter. The very first blizzard of the season snowed almost 1 meter overnight, and when I woke up the morning I really didn’t know what to do. I had to dig out the walk path and also the lane that the cars used, and I was completely overwhelmed. It was then that I heard the magical sound of a snowplow- the grounds keeper from the library had come to check on me, and ended up clearing almost all of the snow for me, effortlessly and in minutes, and I was so so grateful. This was something that happened repeatedly, including a neighbor seeing me trying to dig my car out from where I’d gotten it stuck in a snow drift, who then grabbed a chain and pulled me out with his tractor. Hokkaido people really look out for each other!