I love Hokkaido — its distinct four seasons, its demanding natural environment, and the open-hearted character of the people who have grown up here.
I spent nearly half of my life in Tokyo, but when it came time to raise our children, my family and I chose to return to Sapporo.
After moving back, I noticed something about myself. Whenever I talk to someone about Hokkaido, I tend to share more than they asked for.
What is the purpose of the trip? Who are you traveling with? What matters most to you? I genuinely enjoy asking those questions and thinking through a trip together. Looking back, perhaps that is also why I earned a Domestic Travel Service Supervisor qualification when I was younger.
I want people who come to Sapporo to have a truly good stay. Not just to visit famous sights, but to experience the atmosphere, everyday life, and culture of this place.
Birch Nest grew out of that idea.
We only started hosting in 2026, so this is still a small beginning. Over time, I hope Birch Nest can grow beyond accommodation — perhaps through opportunities to learn local cooking, collaborations with neighborhood businesses, and other ways of sharing what makes Hokkaido special.
My long-term hope is that people who stay with us come to love Hokkaido, and that it also remains a place my daughters can proudly think of as a wonderful hometown.
Hanae Onishi
Founder, Birch Nest
About the name “Birch Nest”
Birch Nest is a name combining Birch, inspired by Hokkaido’s white birch trees, and Nest, a place to rest and feel at ease.
For us, the birch represents the landscape and character of Hokkaido, while the idea of a nest reflects what we want the stay to feel like: somewhere travelers can recover from the day, relax, and feel comfortable enough to make themselves at home.