The prefectural capital is Sapporo.
The area of Hokkaido occupies about twenty percent of a gross area of Japan. And it is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk. What it is easy to pass through every year in summer since it is cool and humidity is low is the feature. Moreover, Hokkaido does not have a rainy season. The name of a place of Hokkaido has many things originating in Ainu language. And in the mountain, the river, etc., Ainu language is used.
Agricultural value of production occupies about 12% of Japan for about 1 trillion yen. Many field crops, such as wheat and a potato, are the 1st in Japan.
The value of production of fisheries is 295,800 million yen. It is the 1st in Japan and occupies 19% of whole Japan.
Hokkaido is the vast ground and rich natural environment, and many tourists visit it. The sightseeing of Hokkaido is a major industry.
A cities, towns and villages list is here.
| Ranking of Hokkaido | ||
| Item | National ranking | Outline |
| Area (2009) | The 1st place | 83,457 square kilometers |
| The number of cities, wards, towns, and villages (2010) | The 1st place | 179 cities, towns and villages |
| Population (2008) | The 6th place | 5,543,556 persons |
| Number of households (2008) | The 6th place | 2637145 households |
| People-of-the-prefecture gross product (substance) (2007) | The 9th place | 19,644,650 (unit: 1 million yen) |