Bordered by both the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea, this area is
home to the northern most point in Japan as well as large open pastoral
leases. It is a favorite area for trekking and bird watching and
home to the two islands of Rishiri and Rebun, which are known for their
spectacular natural beauty and large variety of wildlife. Also well
known is the road running along the coast from Sapporo to Wakkanai which
delivers some of the best sunsets in Japan. Hot spring areas in this
region include the Toyotomi Hot Spring and Wakkanai Hot Spring.
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. Top
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. Top
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. Top
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. Top
Admission
-
Opening Hours
-
Closed
-
Getting There
-
Phone
-
CHOOSE BY MAP
For More Information;
Click An Area On The Map.
JOIN FREE
New User?
Join our free forum for
all
the latest help & info. Join Now!
If your looking for great
images of Japan or want to
share your images or photos
then join our photo club.
It's free. Join Now!
Link to Us!
If you're a web site operator
why not link to us?
Hokkaido Guide has a free
reciprocal link program. Join Now!
English
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. 
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. 
