Hokkaido, where the Group of Eight summit is taking place in Toyako, is known for its hot springs, ski resorts, seafood and magnificent scenery.
Only 140 years ago, when Japan jumped on the modernization bandwagon, the prefecture was the new frontier.
Following are some questions and answers about the history of Hokkaido:
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.