The Northern Table began with a family,
a shared table, and a love of bringing people together.

For nearly 30 years, I have lived in the United States, far from my family in Japan. Looking back, our annual trips to see one another have been much more than vacations. They have helped us maintain close family bonds despite the distance and the years spent living on opposite sides of the world.

Every visit to Japan has also been an opportunity to rediscover something familiar and discover something new.

My sister and her family introduced me to the extraordinary flavors of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, where the richness of the land and sea shapes its food, traditions, and everyday life.

Through meals shared together, adventures outdoors, and encounters with local people, I came to appreciate how travel can nourish us in ways that go far beyond sightseeing.

These experiences inspired us to create The Northern Table — a family-led retreat initiative connecting people through nature, food, culture, and shared experiences.

We want to share the places we love and invite others to discover a side of Japan that lies beyond the familiar tourist routes.