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Japan’s northernmost city of Wakkanai (稚内) is an important turning point for all tourists. In summer Wakkanai is crowded with group tourists, railway enthusiasts, hiker, bikers and cyclists. They spend a couple of time in the town and its surroundings before traveling onward.
Wakkanai has ferry connections to Rishiri-to and Rebun-to islands.
Sightseeing
Soya-misaki
宗谷岬
50min by bus from Wakkanai Station, get off at Soya-misaki
Wakkanai’s most popular tourist destination about 30km northeast of the city center, Soya-misaki is the northernmost tip of mainland Japan. The high ground Peace Park has a lot of memorial and the 1902 Former Navy Watchtower. The tourist information center BASE SOYA offers bike rentals (mid Jun-late Sep). Wakkanai Station bus terminal sells a round-trip discount ticket to Soya-misaki.
Soya Hills
宗谷丘陵
11km hike from Soya-misaki to Soya Historical Park near Soya bus stop
The hills behind Soya-misaki are the perfect spot for hiking. Start by walking up the road past the Peace Park, the pleasant track traces the countless old glacial valley like an Iceland. After a couple of hours passing through the wind and beef farms, you will arrive at Soya Historical Park (宗谷歴史公園), with a small shrine and some historic monuments. From here you can catch a bus for JR Wakkanai Station.
Wakkanai North Breakwater Dome
稚内港北防波堤ドーム
3min walk from Wakkanai Station
This 427m-long and 13.6m-height half-arched breakwater is an enduring symbol of the city near JR Wakkanai Station. Kita-Bohatei Dome has 70 cylindrical columns and was built in 1936 as Wakkanai-Sanbashi Station. From here the railway ferries connected to Odomari on Karafuto until 1945. Today it is a good place to hang out.
Noshappu-misaki
ノシャップ岬
10min by bus from Wakkanai Station, get off at Noshappu, then 3min walk
Noshappu-misaki, the western cape of the Soya Bay, is the city’s best sunset location. You will see Rishiri-to and Rebun-to islands on a clear day. Hokkaido’s tallest lighthouse (47.2m) situated on its edge. Lovely seals and fish awaits you at Noshappu Cold Current Aquarium (ノシャップ寒流水族館) – price including the adjoining science museum. From JR Wakkanai Station, frequent buses 1 and 30 run to Noshappu.
Wakkanai Park
稚内公園
20min from Wakkanai Station
Rising up the footpath from Hokumon Jinja, you will reach this hillside park overlooking the town and bay. At the top of the park, about a 50-minute walk from the train station, the 80m-tall Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower (稚内開基百年記念塔・北方記念館) has displays on the history of the city and Karafuto. The observation deck offers breaking views over the city surrounding the ocean – even as far as Rishiri-to and Rebun-to islands on a clear day. Closed Nov-late Apr.
Wakkanai Hagukumi-no-Sato
稚内育みの里
60-90min return walk from Wakkanai Onsen Dome
From the Youth Nature’s House opposite Wakkanai Onsen Dome, a spectacular scenic footpath leads to this scenic rolling hills covered with bamboo grass. You can expect fantastic views of the ocean and Rishiri-to. There is also an alternative route from Ryukai-ji (龍海寺), about 600m south of the onsen.
Wakkanai Onsen Dome
稚内温泉童夢
18min by bus from Wakkanai Station, get off at Wakkanai Onsen
Japan’s northernmost onsen facing the sea, the Dome boasts eight baths and two saunas overlooking the Rishiri-to and Rebun-to islands. Take bus 30 from JR Wakkanai Station via Noshappu.
Yamuwakkanai Onsen Minato-no-yu
ヤムワッカナイ温泉 港のゆ
15min walk from Wakkanai Station
On the 2nd of the Fukuko Ichiba market along Route 40, the Minato-no-yu has modern indoor and open-air baths overlooking the secondary port. On the ground floor, the Minato Gallery exhibits old photos of Wakkanai Station and Karafuto.
Former Seto House
旧瀬戸邸
5min walk from Wakkanai Station
Once a local fisheries master’s house built in 1952, this luxurious Japanese-style place evokes family life in the Showa period. It is located near the south side of Chuo-dori shopping street.
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Hotels
Photo: じゃらんnet
Surfeel Hotel Wakkanai
サフィールホテル稚内
3min walk from Wakkanai Station
Overlooking the harbor from the ocean-view rooms, this 12-story hotel is Wakkanai’s finest choice. A variety of comfortable rooms furnished in sea ice design. On-site restaurants offer Japanese and Western dishes using local ingredients. It is conveniently attached to the train station.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Dormy Inn Wakkanai