Over time I’ve been visiting the town (and prefecture), I’ve grow to be keen on referring to Kagoshima (situated on the southern tip of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s 4 main islands) as “the place Japan ends.”
Now, this isn’t true in a literal sense; Japan very a lot continues down into the Okinawa archipelago. However Kagoshima, whose Shinkansen station the “final” cease alongside Japan’s bullet prepare route, has a terminal really feel to its nonetheless.
I deliver this up as a result of though Wakkanai really is Japan’s northernmost metropolis—it’s fairly actually the place Japan begins—I of strategy the duty of tackling all of the issues to do in Wakkanai a lot in the identical means I might on the nation’s reverse excessive.
The place to Keep in Wakkanai
Wakkanai is a bigger metropolis than you’re provably anticipating it to be, be fortunately, most Wakkanai motels are confined to the downtown space close to the prepare station and ferry terminal. These embrace Japanese enterprise lodge manufacturers similar to Dormy Inn Wakkanai, in addition to native motels like The Keep Wakkanai and Surfeel Lodge, the latter of which is likely one of the metropolis’s most distinctive buildings.
For those who lease a automotive (and I might nearly actually recommend you do), then you may theoretically keep exterior the middle of city—Pension Arumeria, which is nearer to Cape Soya, may very well be an possibility. With this being stated, since you’re in all probability persevering with onward to Rishiri and/or Rebun after you end in Wakkanai, staying distant from the ferry port might probably complicate your journey there.
My Favourite Issues to Do in Wakkanai
Stroll or drive the White Shell Street
I’ll be trustworthy: I don’t know precisely why the aptly-named White Shell Street is legendary, nor how exactly it shaped, so excessive above the ocean and much from it. I do know that for me, it set the stage for a fascinating day in Wakkanai; I’d advocate heading right here first, if solely as a result of it’s on the way in which to the place you’re more likely to go second.
Drive to Cape Soya
That place being Cape Soya, which might be probably the most unsurprising entry on this Wakkanai itinerary. The northern tip of Japan, Soyamisaki just isn’t that spectacular by itself, even when your possibilities of seeing deer (which actually beautify the scene) are considerably excessive. Somewhat, the way in which to the Cape is a spotlight for me.
Acquire some perspective
Wakkanai is surrounding by mountains in every single place you look, which implies that superb views are in abundance. Whereas I wouldn’t recommend really going up within the Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower (its home windows, frankly, are too soiled to see something out of), the mountain the place it’s constructed affords superb vistas throughout the bay.
Eat contemporary seafood
It ought to come as no shock, on condition that it’s surrounded by water on all sides, that consuming contemporary seafood is a prime instance of what to do in Wakkanai. My solely particular suggestion on this regard could be to maintain your eyes open. My proverbial greatest catch was not at a elaborate restaurant, however at a random roadside stand.
Proceed to Rishiri and Rebun
Whereas it’s not correct to say that Wakkanai isn’t price visiting with no journey offshore to Rebun and/or Rishiri, these islands actually full an alluring tourism trifecta. For those who’re going to go this far north, then devoting a pair further days to taking a really complete journey appears wise.
How Lengthy Ought to You Keep in Wakkanai?
Wakkanai, as I’ve already stated, is greater than I used to be anticipating. Whereas I used to be in a position to tick all of the objects I had on my checklist off it with only one evening within the metropolis, there’s part of me that needs I’d stayed longer. This isn’t as a result of I might’ve essentially seen extra—once more, I just about did go in every single place—however as a result of I would’ve had an opportunity to {photograph} numerous elements of the town in numerous lighting circumstances.
In notably, since I wanted to return my automotive within the night resulting from my early ferry to Rebun the subsequent morning, I wasn’t in a position to {photograph} Mt. Rishiri rising behind the Wakkanai skyline at sundown. In contrast, if I’d been extra versatile about what number of days in Wakkanai I might spend, I might’ve stored the rental automotive (at the least) in a single day, and gotten some nice end-of-day photographs.
Different FAQ About Visiting Wakkanai
Is Wakkanai price visiting?
Wakkanai is completely price visiting—and never simply so as to say you’ve been to the northernmost metropolis in Japan. The town is extremely picturesque, notably as you drive alongside the White Shell Street to Cape Soya (the precise northern tip of Japan), and anyplace you possibly can see Mt. Rishiri rising above the skyline.
What’s the northernmost metropolis in Japan?
Wakkanai is the northernmost metropolis. It’s situated about 5 hours by highway or rail from Sapporo, and can be served by twice-daily flights from Tokyo’s Haneda airport. Along with the town itself, Wakkanai is the first jumping-off level for visits to Cape Soya, which is the northernmost level of land in all of Japan.
Are you able to see Sakhalin from Wakkanai?
On a transparent day, you possibly can see Sakhalin from Wakkanai. Nonetheless, as of 2025, ferries from Wakkanai to Russia are not working, because of Russia’s persevering with conflict in opposition to Ukraine. It reminds to be seen whether or not worldwide connections will ever be restored.
The Backside Line
For those who’re something like me, you could be stunned by the number of issues to do in Wakkanai—and, particularly, all of the onward excursions from the town. Wakkanai isn’t Tokyo and even Sapporo, but it surely’s a lot bigger and extra sprawling than you would possibly anticipate for someplace so distant. Definitely, it is going to really feel this fashion on reflection, as you look again on the time you spend right here from Rishiri and/or Rebun, assuming that you find yourself touring offshore to these islands (and I after all hope that you simply do). Want personalised assist placing collectively you adventures in far northern Hokkaido? Take into account hiring me to plan your journey!