Hokkaido is one of the Japan's most productive agricultural centers, but because it is located so far north of the rest of Japan, its produce is not what most people think of as traditional Japanese cuisine. Asparagus is one of the crops that is in peak season around June, and the climate of Hokkaido, with deep snow covering the ground in winter, and wide temperature differences between day and night, is ideal for growing asparagus that sweet and nutritious.