Omiyage - Hokkaido

Prefecture:Hokkaido City: -- Unique Feature: Fox

Local Connection:
Hokkaido is home to one of Japan's two sub-species of fox: kita kitsune. Hokkaido is commonly thought of as the "Alaska of Japan"; a wilderness area with numerous national parks and camping.

The fox is also a mystical being in Japanese folklore. The Kitsune can be either good or bad and has the ability to shape shift or drive an individual to insanity. It is also commonly associated with Inari, the deity of rice, and appear guarding the entry to its shrine.

photo of Hokkaido fox posted on flickr by CarmoPolice