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Koku Village didn't exist until the thaw happened, and has thus become a place of deep spirituality. It's said to be a blessed place, the cave at the top of the mountain being blessed of Genbu, and the outer area seems, strangely enough, blessed by Suzaku. The old tale goes (which seems a bit different depending on who you talk too) that the Shinzaho of the Priestess was kept inside the mountain, and thus protected by Genbu. It was supposally removed by the Priestess of Suzaku one hundred years after the Priestess of Genbu was there, but the cave is still said to bestow blessings on the people. Even though the world is now warm, ice crystals still form in the cave, making it cool all year. Outside the cave mouth grows a great tree, its roots even spill out over the cliff face as it grows. It's said that it grew in the matter of a season, despite the snow that was always around it. Even now, after the snow has gone, the huge tree still grows. The reason it is thought to be a Tree of Spirit, is because it's a cherry tree, which didn't grow in Hokkan during the White Days. Only a few fruits bloom every year on the tree, and it is believed that if you are able to eat a cherry from this tree, you will be granted great physical health and strength for the coming year. Strangely enough, the tree blooms in the winter, and the fruit only ripen on one day, then fall off. Races on this holiday (called the Feast of the Gods) in Koku Village are held; those who wish the blessing of Suzaku's Star run to the tree to try and get one of the cherries. The winners eat the fruit and keep the pit, which are made into pendants by local craftsman. Most are accompanied either by the red crystals that are found in the soil around the tree, because of their shape and color they are call Suzaku's Tears, or by the clear, blue or green crystals found in the ice formations in the cave. These crystals are called Genbu's Promise.

The village itself was settled several seasons after the snow of the peak melted, turning the whole area into a place of virtual paradise. Because of the elevation it remained cool, and the forests of the area afford much in the way food and natural resources. There are also fresh springs in the area, and are well known for their curative properties. Large bath houses are situated near these warm springs, and may people from all over Hokkan come here to heal illness or merely to relax. It's relative close proximity to Tooran makes Koku Village a favorite place of the nobility. A large shrine to Genbu now rests at the mouth of the cave, in order to maintain the holy presence there. Medicine and doctors are also plentiful in this town, and it is well known for both healing of the mind and body. The myriad of plants and resources make it the perfect place of such health. The oldest woman in the village is 110, or so she thinks, so many of the people that now live there think it will improve not only their health, but longevity as well. Because of the small amount of land, the village elders only allow a pilgrim to stay one month, then they must move on and allow room for the next person. Many of the people waiting to get into Koku Village stay in Tooran until there is room. The actual population of the town is 100, but it maintains at least 500 visitors over the course of the year, with the tourism peaking at the Feast of the Gods celebration, the week long party that culminates with the Run. The numbers of visitors for the Feast are usually in the thousands, with many camping in the woods around the village.

The village is actually carved into the mountain, the buildings and homes build of brick inside nieches in the rock, the brick made from the excavated soil (Think the Pueblos in the Southwest). The people really live within the land, and none of the forest has ever been cleared for development. There are several cliff faces maintained by the village, South Face, hold the baths and restorative pools, and also the inns and homes of the nobles that go between the village and the capitol. West Face contains the homes of the doctors and villagers, all stacked on top of each other like little boxes. This face is the widest in area, so many tents are put up everyday to sell wares. Dubbed the Spiritual Market, it sells medicine, art and jewelry made on the mountain, as well as imports such as food, textiles and other sundries. North Face is where the Shrine to Genbu is and the sacred cherry tree, along with the dwellings of the shrine keepers and garden tenders. The entire village is encompassed at or near the summit of Mount Koku.

During the Melt, many areas in Hokkan suffered calamities as the rivers swelled well beyond capacity. While there is still melting going on, it doesn't compare to the first melt, when torrents of frigid water rushed away lives and homes. The City of Tooran is no different. When the river that runs through the city became swollen with run off, Tooran River became three times it's original size, and half the city was swept down river. The only building near the river that survived was the Shrine to the Priestess of Genbu, which was on a high piece of ground. Now it is an island in the center of the huge river, though people still face the swift water to go there and pray. The city has expanded out now, to make up for the lost land.

Located under the protective peak of Mount Koku, the Tooran River is fed by both a smaller river to the north (Harisen River) and the streams that run from the Mountain peak. Fish are abundant in the river, but the fast current makes boat fishing hazardous. Nets are the preferred methods to capture the salmon on their runs, and some very elaborate ideas to make fishing more profitable lent the river district it's nick name "Net City." Because of its rich soil and abundant water, Tooran is also host to some of the world's best farms, specializing in rice and cash crops. Farms are located outside the city gates, though the farmer's houses tend to be on the east side of the river, farthest away from Mount Koku, and incidentally the poorest area. This is called the Low District, because it is lower in elevation then the other side of the river. The sheer beauty of the tree lined streets brings wealthy merchants and landed nobles to Tooran to vacation. These grand Villas are on the east side of the River, nearest the base of the mountain. The Lord that rules Tooran has a large palace located in the center of the High District. All trading, Inns and markets are located along the River banks; the nicer, more expensive things on the High Side, the trading usually associated with common folk are located on the Low side. There are a large amount of Inns on both sides of the river, since many pilgrims on their way to the holy places on Mount Koku end up staying for awhile in Tooran. The residents of Tooran tend to be more spiritual, just because of there proximity to the Holy Mountain. There tends to be many brothels in the area, not because they are prohibited, but because they can't make enough money to stay in business. Because of the popularity of Mount Koku, even local speech has picked up strange variances in greetings and blessings. Things like "Priestess be with you," have replaced the normal salutations to Genbu himself, showing the towns folk's respect for the Priestess of Genbu.

The wall that surrounds the city is quite impressive. The original wall had to be knocked down with the expansion of the river, so a new, more ornate wall was built of white rock that had been carried down the river originally in the flood from the north. The 10 bridges that connect the Low and High Districts are also made of the white stone.

Ushiki village is a small settlement in very northern Hokkan, that before the melt was too inhospitable to live in. Now it's a verdant field of green grasses, perfect for the raising of live stock. The village itself is small, having about 100 residents, but at any given time half or more are out tending the animals. Ushiki village is know for it's fine meat, milk and wool, the principle animal raised are sheep, however they have quite a few cows and goats as well. Even though Hokkan is quite a nice place to live now, the high peaks of the Northern country still have snow, and it is still cool. The village itself is arranged along a wide boulevard, were there is a general store, feed store and inn. These features are quite small, usually only the few traders that come up to trade for the fine wool products made by the women of the village. The houses are scattered around the wide, rolling hills of the prairie, and the Isiri creek runs just to the west of the village, parallel to the main road. The more well off inhabititants tend to live on the tops of the surrounding hills, while the poorer villagers live on the side or in the small valley bottom, near the creek or village center. The Lord of the area is quite rich, since the wool industry brings in quite a bit of money. He watched after his subjects however, and is quite proud a Genbu Celestial warrior came from the small town. Lord Masumasa is secretly seeing the widowed mother of the warrior, and gossip around the town says he may make her his wife. His reasoning for this is out of love for her, and respect to their warrior, so he no longer has to care for them.