Wakkanai is the northern most city in Japan and sits on the Soya Peninsula and is surrounded on three sides by ocean. It is symbolized by it’s Greek style sea wall which is one of the places to visit in Wakkanai. The city is also known as the “Windy City” because of the almost constant breeze blowing through due to the surrounding ocean. Wakkanai takes up most of Cape Noshappu with the other half of the city stretching out to Cape Soya. The main train station is located almost in the center of the city with the downtown area snaking along the coast both north and south of the station. The port facility for transportation to Sakhalin, Rishiri Island or Rebun Island is also just a short walk away. The famous North Breakwater Dome is also just behind this facility. Approximately ten minutes by bus north of the city is the Noshappu lighthouse which is the tallest in Hokkaido. A 20 to 30 minute bus ride will get you to Soya Point the most northern point in Japan. From here on clear days it is actually possible to see Sakhalin (Russian Island), which is just 43 kilometers away.
PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT….
North Breakwater Dome // This unusual sea wall is the symbol of Wakkanai and is located very near the sea terminal for ferries to Sakhalin, Rebun and Rishiri Islands. Named “The North Breakwater Dome”, it is 427 meters in length, has 70 pillars and there is also a walkway inside. The dome was built to protect the port from the strong winds and waves that are almost constant in this area. The dome was used as a pier for boats servicing the islands from 1923 to 1945, and now the dome is a popular tourist attraction and the main area for some of Wakkanai’s yearly events / festivals.
Cape Soya & Wakkanai West Coast // Cape Soya is the most northern point in Japan and is marked by a small monument commemorating the north and the northern frontier spirit. From here, on clear days it is possible to see the Russian Island of Sakhalin which is only 43 kilometers away. Cape Soya is also part of Japanese northern exploration history and a monument to one of Japan’s famous explorers is here. This site is quite amazing and very beautiful. In winter huge ice flows from the north pass by and It is possible to take boat rides on various kinds of ice breakers to enjoy the spectacle more. Located on top of the cape above the area for the most northern pont, there are several monuments and a small lighthouse. One of them is "The Bell for World Peace", which is a replica of the bell situated in the garden in front of United Nations Building in New York City. Another is the “Tower of Prayer”, which was built as a memorial to the passengers of a Korean Airlines flight which was shot down by the Soviet Union just north of the cape. Along the sea of Japan, the coastline running north and south of Wakkanai, is known as “the Wakkanai Western Coast”. This seaside highway which commands ocean views and views of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park area is an extremely popular driving course and many motorcycle and car touring groups head this way. From the coastal road it is possible to see Mt. Rishiri Fuji, rising from the sea to a height of 1,721 meters. The national park consists of sand dunes and seasonally changing wild flowers and some magnificent sunsets on good days. A must see for nature lovers.
Wakkanai Airport Park & Recreation Area // The area around Wakkanai’s Airport has been greatly improved and redeveloped over the years. This area is now a large park and recreation area. Inside the park there is a ballpark, a motocross course, a rifle range, a golf course, a small zoo, a rest house, a boardwalk to Meguma Pond, and cabins for overnight camping. There is also access to another large pond known as Ohnuma Pond. This pond is now becoming a regular stopping area for swans and migratory waterfowl and more recently the occasional white-tailed eagle and / or sea eagles. A wild bird observation pavilion has been built to help protect and enhance the area. The birds are most abundant in the spring and autumn.
Wakkanai Park & Central District // Located on the western side of Wakkanai City, Wakkanai Park has several interesting monuments built in it. Monuments include "Hyohsestsu No Mon" or “the Gate to Ice and Snow” which commemorates the former Japanese settlements on Sakhalin before it was ceded to the Russians at the end of WWII. There is also the “Monument to Nine Ladies” which commemorates the nine young female telephone operators who committed suicide at the post office on Sakhalin at the end World War II. Another monument commemorates two sled dogs by the names of Taro and Jiro. These two dogs were used in Japanese Antarctic explorations. The two dogs were abandoned in Antarctica for more than a year and survived the experience. The final monument is located at the highest point in the park and is called “The Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower” which commemorates the 100th year since the founding of Wakkanai. The tower commands an excellent 360° panoramic view of Rebun and Rishiri Islands, Sakhalin, and Cape Soya. In winter there is also a ski course here for some winter enjoyment.
PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT….
North Breakwater Dome // This unusual sea wall is the symbol of Wakkanai and is located very near the sea terminal for ferries to Sakhalin, Rebun and Rishiri Islands. Named “The North Breakwater Dome”, it is 427 meters in length, has 70 pillars and there is also a walkway inside. The dome was built to protect the port from the strong winds and waves that are almost constant in this area. The dome was used as a pier for boats servicing the islands from 1923 to 1945, and now the dome is a popular tourist attraction and the main area for some of Wakkanai’s yearly events / festivals.
Cape Soya & Wakkanai West Coast // Cape Soya is the most northern point in Japan and is marked by a small monument commemorating the north and the northern frontier spirit. From here, on clear days it is possible to see the Russian Island of Sakhalin which is only 43 kilometers away. Cape Soya is also part of Japanese northern exploration history and a monument to one of Japan’s famous explorers is here. This site is quite amazing and very beautiful. In winter huge ice flows from the north pass by and It is possible to take boat rides on various kinds of ice breakers to enjoy the spectacle more. Located on top of the cape above the area for the most northern pont, there are several monuments and a small lighthouse. One of them is "The Bell for World Peace", which is a replica of the bell situated in the garden in front of United Nations Building in New York City. Another is the “Tower of Prayer”, which was built as a memorial to the passengers of a Korean Airlines flight which was shot down by the Soviet Union just north of the cape. Along the sea of Japan, the coastline running north and south of Wakkanai, is known as “the Wakkanai Western Coast”. This seaside highway which commands ocean views and views of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park area is an extremely popular driving course and many motorcycle and car touring groups head this way. From the coastal road it is possible to see Mt. Rishiri Fuji, rising from the sea to a height of 1,721 meters. The national park consists of sand dunes and seasonally changing wild flowers and some magnificent sunsets on good days. A must see for nature lovers.
Wakkanai Airport Park & Recreation Area // The area around Wakkanai’s Airport has been greatly improved and redeveloped over the years. This area is now a large park and recreation area. Inside the park there is a ballpark, a motocross course, a rifle range, a golf course, a small zoo, a rest house, a boardwalk to Meguma Pond, and cabins for overnight camping. There is also access to another large pond known as Ohnuma Pond. This pond is now becoming a regular stopping area for swans and migratory waterfowl and more recently the occasional white-tailed eagle and / or sea eagles. A wild bird observation pavilion has been built to help protect and enhance the area. The birds are most abundant in the spring and autumn.
Wakkanai Park & Central District // Located on the western side of Wakkanai City, Wakkanai Park has several interesting monuments built in it. Monuments include "Hyohsestsu No Mon" or “the Gate to Ice and Snow” which commemorates the former Japanese settlements on Sakhalin before it was ceded to the Russians at the end of WWII. There is also the “Monument to Nine Ladies” which commemorates the nine young female telephone operators who committed suicide at the post office on Sakhalin at the end World War II. Another monument commemorates two sled dogs by the names of Taro and Jiro. These two dogs were used in Japanese Antarctic explorations. The two dogs were abandoned in Antarctica for more than a year and survived the experience. The final monument is located at the highest point in the park and is called “The Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower” which commemorates the 100th year since the founding of Wakkanai. The tower commands an excellent 360° panoramic view of Rebun and Rishiri Islands, Sakhalin, and Cape Soya. In winter there is also a ski course here for some winter enjoyment.
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