From 7 to 27 July 2004, a plant collecting trip was taken to obtain genetic resources of temperate fruit genera throughout Hokkaido, Japan. A material transfer agreement was prepared in advance and signed by Dr. Allan Stoner (USDA ARS) and Dr. Kazutoshi Okuno (MAFF), according to the new rules of the International Treaty on exploration and exchange of plant genetic resources (effective 30 June 2004). This expedition was a collaborative effort between the United States Department of Agriculture, the Japanese Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries, the University of New Hampshire, and Akita Agricultural University, Japan. Additional assistance was provided by the Hokkaido Governmental Plant Genetic Resources Center, several Forest Research stations of the University of Hokkaido, and private botanists. Plant and seed materials that were collected were shared between the scientists of both countries.

The expedition toured many localities in Hokkaido. Some of the collecting localities included the following: Bibai, Mt. Shirahada, Nakayama Pass, Mt. Hakkenzan, Shikotsuko National Park, Takikawa, Uryu Experimental Forest in Nayoro, Lake Sumarinai, Otoineppu, Mt. Penkeyama, Monomanai River, Omucho, Shimararagy River, Yubetsu, Sekihoka Pass, Koshimizu, Lake Abashiri, Konhoku Pass, Abashiri City, Barasanto Lake, Betsukai, Nemuro, Cape Nosappumisaki, Habomai, Tanneuma Marsh, Ochishi, Hamanaka, Akkeshi, Satsunai River, Makubetsu, Obihiro, Totabetsu, Samani, and Mt. Apoi.  Different ecotypical zones were visited at these localities including upland forest, coastal marshes, upland bogs, dense forests.

The expedition obtained 100 accessions including 9 genera, and 29 species. In all, 84 seedlots, and 23 plants were obtained. The genera collected included: Actinidia, Fragaria, Leucothoe, Lonicera, Morus, Ribes, Rubus, Sambucus, and Vaccinium. Plant and seed accessions from this trip will be preserved at and distributed from the USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon. Evaluation of this germplasm by morphological and molecular techniques will be performed at the USDA ARS Corvallis Repository and at the University of New Hampshire.