"Absolutely impossible in Hokkaido."

Cotton cultivation has long been considered unsuitable for cold regions such as Hokkaido, where short growing seasons and heavy snowfall make open-field farming difficult. However, recent climate changes, combined with Niseko’s expertise in melon cultivation, have paved the way for successful cotton farming here, extending Japan’snorthernmost limit beyond Miyagi (*).

NISEKO SNOW COTTON begins cultivation by germinating seeds in temperature-controlled greenhouses to ensure optimal growth. As cotton requires ample water and Hokkaido lacks a rainy season, irrigation systems are used to regulate moisture levels in the fields. This approach closely mirrors the methods traditionally employed in melon farming, a convergence that feels both natural and meant to be, enabling cotton cultivation to flourish in this cold northern climate.

Embracing cold climate rhythms

Japan’s cotton self-sufficiency rate is almost zero, meaning that nearly all cotton is imported.
Overseas, cotton cultivation is often carried out on a large scale, with frequent use of pesticides to prevent disease and pests. It is also said that pesticides are sometimes applied at harvest to wither the leaves, allowing for the efficient collection of large quantities of cotton.

NISEKO SNOW COTTON, however, applies pest control only when necessary and cultivates cotton as naturally as possible. When exposed to frost, the leaves naturally wither and the cotton bolls open quickly, enabling harvest without pesticides by harnessing this unique cold-climate cycle. By drawing on advanced agricultural skills, we have established a method of cotton cultivation truly suited to Hokkaido’s environment.