Muroran, Japan

Located on the southwest part of the island of Hokkaido, Muroran is a major industrial center and your gateway to Hokkaido's natural beauty. This island's unhurried pace is a welcome contrast from the hustle and bustle of Honshu and Kyushu. Relatively uncrowded and unspoiled, Hokkaido offers dramatic landscapes ranging from dense forests and hot springs to active volcanoes and calm lakes nestled in calderas.