Wakkanai is Japan's northernmost city, with a population of about 4. It serves as a gateway to Rishiri Island and Rebun Island, and is a popular tourist destination known for its abundant natural beauty.

The best time to visit Wakkanai is summer! There are plenty of activities to enjoy nature and opportunities to encounter various plants and animals.
If you have the time, it would be nice to take a trip to some of the remote islands and enjoy the beautiful nature and delicious food.

Furthermore, a winter trip to Japan's northernmost region offers a different kind of charm. Delicious seafood is also a major draw.

Wakkanai, located at the northernmost tip of Japan. Whether it's your first time, your second, or your third visit, why not come and enjoy yourself?

<Contents>
1. Sightseeing and Tourist Attractions in Wakkanai
1-1. Cape Soya
1-2. Cape Nosappu
1-3. North Breakwater Dome
1-4. Sarobetsu Plain (Sarobetsu Wetland)
1-5. Soya Hills (Footpath)
1-6. Hokuhō Memorial Hall and Centennial Memorial Tower
1-7. The Tower of Prayer
2. Recommended sightseeing buses for Wakkanai
3. From Wakkanai to Rishiri and Rebun
4. Access to Wakkanai
Final thoughts

1-1. Cape Soya

Cape Soya is the northernmost point of Japan, located at 45 degrees 31 minutes 22 seconds north latitude.
To the north, across the Soya Strait, you can see the silhouette of Sakhalin Island.

At Cape Soya, there is a triangular pyramid monument that is designed to resemble one of the ridges of the North Star.
The letter N in the center of the monument represents "North," and the circle on the base represents "peace and cooperation."
This is a popular spot where many tourists take commemorative photos.

This is a very windy area, so please be careful not to let your hat or other belongings blow away.
A souvenir shop nearby sells a "Certificate of Arrival at Japan's Northernmost Point," stamped with the date of your arrival, for 100 yen.

How about taking a commemorative photo to mark your visit to Japan's northernmost point?

A statue of Mamiya Rinzo stands near the monument.
This bronze statue depicts Mamiya Rinzo gazing out at Sakhalin, harboring his resolve to cross to the island.

Mamiya Rinzo is widely known as the person who confirmed that Sakhalin is an island.

1-2. Cape Nosappu

Cape Nosappu is a must-see spot for its spectacular views.
"No-shap" is an Ainu word meaning "a place where a cape juts out like a jaw" or "a place where waves break."

It is often written as "ノシャップ" in katakana, but it can also be written in kanji as "野寒布".

There is another cape in Hokkaido with a similar name, "Nosappu Misaki," but this is the easternmost cape in Hokkaido, located in Nemuro City in eastern Hokkaido, so confusing the two would be a big problem.

If the weather is good, you can enjoy a magnificent view from Cape Nosappu, overlooking Mount Rishiri (Mount Rishiri on Rishiri Island), Rebun Island, and Sakhalin.
The sunset over the horizon as seen from here is breathtaking.

The dolphin monument with a clock was created because dolphins have reportedly passed through the Soya Strait.
There are other attractions nearby, such as the Wakkanai City Youth Science Museum and the Nosappu Cold Current Aquarium, so why not enjoy those as well?

1-3. North Breakwater Dome

Constructed between 6 and 11, the North Breakwater Dome is a rare semi-arch-shaped breakwater, measuring 427 meters in length and approximately 14 meters in height.

It features 70 columns reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture.
It was renovated between 53 and 55, and in 2001 it was designated a Hokkaido Heritage site.

Wakkanai is famous for its strong winds, and when it was used as a pier for ferry services connecting Hokkaido and Sakhalin, it served as a breakwater to protect passengers from the wind and waves.
Of course, it still maintains its role as a breakwater.

In the summer, it's common to see people touring Hokkaido by motorcycle setting up tents and camping outdoors.
Previously, a steam locomotive that operated on the Soya Main Line was preserved here, but it was dismantled in 1996 due to salt corrosion, and now only a pair of driving wheels remain.

1-4. Sarobetsu Plain (Sarobetsu Wetland)

The Sarobetsu Wetland was a lake connected to the sea 1 years ago.
Later, the plants that grew there withered and, without decomposing, turned into peat, which eventually became a wetland over a long period of time.

It is a treasure trove of flora and fauna, home to a variety of plants suited to nutrient-poor regions and numerous migratory birds.
Over 100 varieties of flowers bloom in the vast wetlands, offering a magnificent view to enjoy.
In 2005, it was registered under the Ramsar Convention as a valuable wetland.

To enjoy the rich natural environment, we recommend strolling through the wetlands and observing the flora and fauna.
The facility also includes the Sarobetsu Wetland Center and the Peat Industry Museum, where visitors can learn in detail about the area's nature, history, and peat mining.

[Sarobetsu Wetland Center]
Address: 8662 Kami-Sarobetsu, Toyotomi-cho
Opening hours: (June-July) 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
(May, August-October) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(November to April) 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on Mondays (except when Monday is a public holiday, in which case the museum will be closed the following day), during the New Year holidays, and open every day from May to October.
URL:http://www.sarobetsu.or.jp/center/

1-5. Soya Hills

The hilly area located south of Cape Soya is known as the "Soya Hills."

The terrain is gently undulating, and there are no trees; it's a vast expanse of grassland.
This landscape, formed during the Ice Age approximately 2 years ago, has been designated a Hokkaido Heritage site.

Within the hillside, there is a wind power generation facility, and the sight of 57 gigantic wind turbines standing in a row is truly breathtaking.

In the Soya Hills, you can enjoy footpaths that originated in England.
A footpath is a small path for pedestrians, and it's a type of walking where you can enjoy nature while strolling.
Several trails are available, allowing you to enjoy nature at a leisurely pace.

There are several footpaths available, but I recommend the "Soya Hills Course," which takes you through the Soya Hills.
There's a white path covered with scallop shells from Soya, where you can enjoy a walk while taking in the flowers, animals, and scenery.

For details about the footpaths, please refer to the website below.

<Reference Site> Wakkanai Footpath (Wakkanai Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

http://www.wakkanai-cci.or.jp/wakkanai-footpath/

1-6. Hokuhō Memorial Hall and Centennial Memorial Tower

<View from the Centennial Tower>

The "Centennial Memorial Tower" was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Wakkanai City and the 30th anniversary of its incorporation as a city.

The first and second floors house the "Northern Memorial Museum," which displays materials that provide insight into the history of Wakkanai, as well as materials centered around Mamiya Rinzo.
From the top of the observation deck, which is 70 meters above ground and 240 meters above sea level, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sarobetsu Plain, the Soya Strait, Rishiri Island, Rebun Island, and on clear days, even as far as Sakhalin.

The night view of Soya Bay is romantic and perfect for a date.

◆ Northern Memorial Hall and Centennial Memorial Tower
Operating period: April 29th to October 31st. *Please check the website for details.
Opening hours: (April, May, October) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(July and August) 9:6 AM to 9:9 PM
(July and August) 8:7 AM to 9:8 PM
Closed on Mondays (except when Monday is a public holiday, in which case the museum will be closed the following day), open every day from June to September.
URL:http://w-shinko.co.jp/hoppo-kinenkan/

1-7. The Tower of Prayer

The "Tower of Prayer" is a monument built with the hope that an incident like the "Korean Air Lines Flight 007 shootdown incident" that occurred on September 1, 1983, will never happen again.
It was erected two years after the incident on a hill overlooking Cape Soya, in remembrance of the victims and in prayer for world peace.

Monuments are imbued with various meanings.
The tower's height of 19.85 meters represents the year 1985 when the incident occurred, the 16 feathers at the base represent the 16 countries from which the victims came, and the 269 white granite stones represent the number of victims.

Furthermore, the crane's beak points towards Moneron Island, where the incident occurred, and its tilt of 46 degrees and 30 minutes represents the latitude.
Around the tower, there are flowerbeds of Armeria plants, which the local women's group has planted with the hope of world peace. From mid-June to around July, the pink flowers bloom profusely.

The inscription on the prayer tower reads as follows:

If you want to enjoy sightseeing in Wakkanai all at once, a regular sightseeing bus is a convenient option.
Here, we introduce the regular sightseeing buses operated by Soya Bus Co., Ltd.

The content is from the 28 fiscal year, but please check the Soya Bus website for departure times and other details for each course.

(Click to enlarge)

[Soya Bus Co., Ltd.]
Regular sightseeing bus schedule　http://www.soyabus.co.jp/teikan.htm

It's common to travel to Rishiri Island and Rebun Island by ferry.

The Wakkanai Ferry Terminal is located about a 5-minute drive from JR Wakkanai Station.
From here, you will take a ferry to each of the islands.
From Wakkanai, it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Rishiri Island and about 2 hours to reach Rebun Island.

詳細は下記URLをご参照ください。

<Wakkanai Port Ferry Terminal (Heartland Ferry)>
Address: 2-7-1 Kaiun, Wakkanai City
Telephone: 0162-23-3780
URL:http://www.heartlandferry.jp/

◆ Rishiri Island

Rishiri Island is an island for enjoying nature.
Rishiri Island is a perfect location for enjoying nature, so much so that you could say its main attraction is its natural beauty.

Most of the island is designated as the "Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park."
I highly recommend bringing a camera and taking your time to explore Rishiri Island.

It might surprise you, but if you go to Rishiri Island, you should definitely try the "grilled soy sauce ramen" at Miraku.
Apparently, some people even take a ferry just to eat this ramen.

This is the home of Rishiri kelp, which is famous throughout Japan.
The fishing grounds where the Tsushima Current and the Liman Current, which flows south from Sakhalin, meet provide an ideal environment for fish, sea urchins, and seaweed such as kelp.
Be sure to enjoy the seafood as well!

[Related Articles]
The Complete Guide to Rishiri Island's Must-See Attractions! [Spring, Summer, and Autumn Edition]
https://hokkaido-labo.com/rishiri-island-3285

◆Rebun Island

Rebun Island is Japan's northernmost island, located about two hours away from Wakkanai by ferry.

This is perfect for anyone who wants to fully enjoy nature!
It's a remote area where the only means of transportation is a ferry, but in the summer, it attracts many tourists who come to enjoy hiking and trekking.

Rebun Island boasts a unique environment where alpine plants bloom even at sea level, and in the summer, it is known as the "Island of Flowers" when approximately 300 species of alpine plants bloom in profusion.

Also, when you talk about Rebun Island, you absolutely can't miss the sea urchin.
The sea urchins from Rebun Island are of very high quality, and you can enjoy varieties such as the northern purple sea urchin and the Ezo green sea urchin.
Of course, there are other fresh seafood options available, so please enjoy them to your heart's content.

[Related Articles]
Rebun Island Tourism | How to Enjoy Japan's Northernmost Island | 2016 Edition!
https://hokkaido-labo.com/rebun-island-sightseeing-2388

<Airplane>
There is one round-trip direct flight to Wakkanai from Haneda Airport in Tokyo, and two round-trip flights from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo (Chitose).
Please check ANA's latest information regarding flight times.
[ANA]http://www.ana.co.jp/

<JR>
There are three round trips per day between Wakkanai and Asahikawa (one of which runs between Wakkanai and Sapporo).
With the timetable revision in March 2017, two of the three Wakkanai-Sapporo services were shortened to terminate at Asahikawa.

The journey time from Wakkanai to Sapporo by limited express train is approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, and from Wakkanai to Asahikawa is approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes.
(Please note that this may vary depending on the train.)

[JR Hokkaido] http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/

<Intercity buses>
Intercity long-distance buses connect Wakkanai and Sapporo in about 6 hours.
Please check the operator's website for the latest information.

Operating companies: Soya Bus, Hokuto Kotsu
Soya Bus　http://www.soyabus.co.jp/tosikan.htm#wakkanaigou
Hokuto Kotsu　http://www.hokto.co.jp/b_wakkanai.htm

[Contact Information] Reservations and Sales (Common to all 4 locations)
(Wakkanai) Soya Bus Station Bus Terminal Tel: 0162-22-3114
(Wakkanai) Soya Bus Wakkanai Office Tel: 0162-33-5515
(Wakkanai) Hokuto Kanko Co., Ltd. Phone: 0162-23-3820
(Sapporo) Sapporo Reservation Information Phone: 011-241-0241

<Car>
In Hokkaido, there is a significant difference in travel time by car between summer and winter.
When traveling, make sure to plan your itinerary with plenty of leeway.

<Conclusion>

Wakkanai is located at the northernmost tip of Japan, making it somewhat difficult to access, but it is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy the magnificent nature of Hokkaido.
Since you've come all the way to Wakkanai, why not visit Rishiri Island and Rebun Island as well?
Since it's impossible to see everything in one day, why not stay overnight nearby and enjoy sightseeing at a more leisurely pace?

Why not take your time to enjoy nature and delicious food in Wakkanai, the northernmost point of Japan?

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