In the cold‚ far north of the Japanese archipelago lies the island of Hokkaido‚ formerly known as Ezo‚ which means "the land of the barbarians" in Japanese‚ as well as Yezo‚ Yeso‚ or Yesso‚ and which is Japan’s second largest after the main island of Honshu‚ and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture‚ making up its own region. With its pristine forests‚ majestic mountains‚ and volcanic plateaus‚ Hokkaido is a land renowned for its vast natural beauty. It is also a place with its fair share of mysteries‚ for in the cold hinterlands of Japan’s far northern island dwell strange creatures hidden from man in their cold lairs. These are the mysterious beasts that call this far northern land home.