The most beautiful towns in Hokkaido, Japan, all the must-eat food and must-see attractions!
If you want to travel freely in Hokkaido, Japan, we recommend the northernmost "Wakkanai"! Here you can visit the holy places of Soya Cape and Soya Hills "White Path". You can also taste delicious Wakkanai milk, sweet and large scallops, and rich and luxurious seafood donburi! The following has compiled the must-eat foods, must-visit attractions and activities in Wakkanai for everyone. If you want to arrange the most authentic and ultimate trip to the northern tip of Japan, keep reading!What kind of place is "Wakannai"? Features and transportation times are sorted at once!
Wakkanai is a town famous for its tourism industry, fishery, and dairy farming! The Soya area, including Wakkanai, is famous for its scallop production, and the dairy industry owns the local original brand "Wakannai milk". It is squeezed through a low-temperature sterilization method to make the milk thick and sweet. Although Wakkanai is located in the northernmost part of Hokkaido, transportation is simpler than you think. If you take a domestic train in Japan, you can get there in less than two hours from Tokyo Haneda Airport! The following will help you sort out the time estimates for the main transportation methods.
【airplane】
・Haneda Airport → Wakkanai Airport: about 1 hour and 55 minutes
・New Chitose Airport → Wakkanai Airport: about 1 hour
【train】
・Sapporo → Wakkanai: 5 hours and 30 minutes
【Bus】
・Sapporo → Wakkanai: 6 hours
September 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Rishiri Rebun Sarobette National Park!
There are many scenic spots in Wakkanai City and surrounding areas. Among them, "Rishiri Rebun Sarobette National Park", located in the northernmost part of Japan and designated as a national park in 1974, will be expanded to include Wakkanai City and five other towns in September 2024. Celebrated its 50th anniversary. Part of the west coast of Wakkanai City is planned as a national park, so there are no telephone poles or wires on the coastline to obstruct the view or damage the environment, presenting pristine nature and vast scenery. On a clear day, you can clearly see Mount Rishiri from the west coast.
Must-eat delicacies in Wakkanai: scallops, seafood donburi, octopus shabu-shabu, and Wakkanai milk are highly recommended!
① The freshest seafood you must eat when visiting Wakkanai: Scallops
The Soya Strait's turbulent currents and year-round low seawater temperatures are not only perfect for growing scallops, but also lock in the fresh and sweet flavor in their meat. They taste very sweet and are delicious when eaten raw or grilled. The size, sweetness and taste all dominate Hokkaido!
② Luxurious taste that pleases your taste buds: Seafood Don
The Soya Strait facing the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk is an extremely nutrient-rich sea area. In addition to the scallops just mentioned, there are also shrimps, cod crabs, hairy crabs, octopus and other seafood that can be caught all year round. For those who have difficulty choosing, we recommend ordering a bowl of sumptuous and sumptuous seafood donburi for a satisfying and delicious experience!
③ The ultimate healthy and delicious dish: Octopus shabu-shabu
Wakkanai has the largest catch of North Pacific giant octopus in Japan. It is not only fresh, but the meat is also thick and sweet. We recommend the local original menu "Octopus Shabu Shabu". The freshly caught octopus is frozen in the freshest state and sliced into thin slices. Finally, rinse it gently to taste the original deliciousness of the ingredients. In addition, the soup base uses Rishiri kelp, and then adds vegetables and mushrooms. It is healthy, nutritious and natural.
④ Cream-like texture: Wakkanai milk
If you like milk, you must put "Wakannai Milk" on your list of delicious foods when you come to Wakkanai! The cows are bred and grown in the vast land and cool climate of Wakkanai. The raw milk is extracted using a non-stirring method, which retains the flavor like fresh cream. The mellow and rich taste will completely subvert your existing impression of milk! Due to its small production volume and short consumption period, it can be said to be a dream product in the milk industry.
Must-visit attractions and things to do in Wakkanai: White Trail, Nosampu Cape, Crab God's Lottery, and island hopping must-haves!
① A check-in holy place like a fairy tale scene: the white path
In the green grassland near Cape Soya, there is a beautiful "white path" that unfolds gently. It is a beautiful scenery whenever you take a photo. It is a very popular check-in holy place! This path is actually a road paved with ground scallop shells. In the past, shells were buried as industrial waste because they could not be decomposed. After constant thinking, the local people came up with a creative solution: laying shells on the roads as decoration, turning the waste into tourism resources and reusing them. The shells contain Salt also inhibits weed reproduction, killing two birds with one stone. When the weather is clear, Mount Rishiri seen from here is also a stunning view!
It takes about 15 minutes to drive from Soya Misaki to Shirokoji. There are not many buses running from Wakkanai Station to Soya Misaki. People who want to take public transportation are recommended to refer to the bus timetable before arranging their itinerary.
② The best place to watch the sunrise and sunset: Noshabu Cape
Nozambu Cape is only a 10-minute drive from Wakkanai Station. There are no wires or light poles that would obstruct your view. It is the best spot to watch the sunrise and sunset up close! It is recommended to arrive 30 minutes before sunrise or sunset, and leisurely watch the complete process of the sun rising or sinking into the horizon. If you are lucky, you can also overlook Rishiri, Rebun and Sakhalin Island. Since Wakkanai is located at 45 degrees north latitude, you can experience the unique scenery of the sky being bright even after the sun sets in the summer. But even in summer, the wind here is still chilly, so remember to bring extra warm clothes!
③ Draw cute god lottery tickets and meet cute deer: Kitamon Shrine, Wakkanai Park
Many people draw lots when visiting Japanese shrines. The "Kitamon Shrine", about a 10-minute walk from Wakkanai Station, has a shrine-exclusive crab lottery. Those who like to visit shrines and temples must come and check it out. It is also recommended that you take a walk along the path next to the shrine to Wakkanai Park. If you are lucky, you may have a chance to encounter wild deer! The observation deck here offers a panoramic view of Wakkanai City, and you can eat "Sanshiro Bamboo Ice Cream" in the facility (closed from November to April). Come here to take a leisurely break when you are tired of shopping.
④ Those who love outdoor sports: ride a bicycle and head straight to Cape Soya!
If you are a cyclist, we recommend the 77-kilometer round-trip Cape Soya Route, which leads all the way north to dominate the northernmost part of Japan. Many local cyclists and motorcycle riders in Japan also long for this route with stunning natural scenery! The Wakkanai Tourist Association in Wakkanai Station provides bicycle rental services from the end of April to the end of October from 9:30 to 17:00. For more information, please refer to the Wakkanai Tourist Association website. In addition, we also recommend the Cape Noshabbu route, which is about 10 kilometers round trip along the coastline. You can ride while looking at the blue sea and seagulls, which is very soothing to your body and mind! .
⑤ Take a look at the hot spring with a view of the northernmost harbor: "Minato no Yu"
"Minato no Yu", a scenic hot spring overlooking the northernmost harbor, will open in October 2022. Come here and enjoy the hot springs in the covered scenic hot springs while overlooking the open sea view. The lounge is also equipped with hammocks, massage chairs, comics areas and other equipment, where you can relax and have a rest. It is very suitable for recharging during the trip!
"Minato's hot spring"
・Address: No. 6-28, Port 1-chome, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido
・Charge: 680 yen (tax included)
・Business hours: 10:00～22:00 (last admission at 21:30)
・Regular holidays: No fixed holidays
⑥ Anyone can easily participate: "Outdoor Sauna" & "Canoe Experience"
At the "Onuma Bird Observation Hall" there are two activities you can easily participate in, "outdoor sauna" and "canoe experience." There is a self-service steam sauna and a glass dome for rest. You can relax, enjoy and experience an authentic sauna in nature in a private space. "Canoe Experience" has corresponding itineraries to choose from whether you are experienced or not, allowing you to watch wild birds and other animals and plants in Wakkanai's cool climate while swimming leisurely in Onuma's environment. There’s no problem if you want to participate in two activities at once, and you can enjoy Onuma to the fullest with nothing!
Onuma Wild Bird Observatory
・Address: Daizishengwen Village, Zishengwen Wilderness, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido
・Experience period: sauna from April to November and February; canoe from mid-June to late September (Both are fully reservation-based)
・Official website
⑦ Travelers who travel for a long time: It is recommended to travel to Rishiri Island and Rebun Island!
If you have the opportunity to arrange a longer trip, it is recommended to include Rishiri Island and Rebun Island in your itinerary. It is also recommended to stay one night on each island to enjoy the unique and brilliant starry sky of the northernmost island. Both islands can rent motorcycles and bicycles, and there are also island-wide buses to choose from!
Rishiri Island
Everyone who comes to Hokkaido will definitely buy the popular souvenir "Shiroi Koibito". In fact, the scenery on the package is the Shiroi Koibito Hill located on the south side of Rishiri Island! Here, I secretly tell couples who have planned to commit to each other for life, as long as you propose here and provide photos to the Yuanbo Port Ferry Terminal information desk, you will receive a special proposal certificate! OTATOMARI Numa next to Shiroi Koibito Hills is the largest lake on Rishiri Island. It overlooks the beautiful mountain scenery of Mount Rishiri. If you are tired of shopping, you can go to nearby shops to taste delicious grilled scallops and ice cream.
If you like to experience the itinerary, Rishiri Island also offers activities such as sea urchin hunting and seal feeding. In addition, in the Daxing area on the west side of the island, there is a wooden building with a history of more than 130 years, "Island Station". In addition to enjoying delicious food, you can also experience seaweed embossing, which is suitable for a leisurely cruise around the island all day long.
Rebun Island
Rebun Island is known as the "Floating Island of Flowers". There are several routes on the island, which are very suitable for walking. You can enjoy various and precious alpine plants. If you want to see the scenery full of flowers in bloom, the best time to see them is around early June. period. When the weather is good, you can overlook Sakhalin Island from Cape Suguton, the northernmost tip of Rebun Island, and wild seals appear from time to time! From Chenghai Cape on the west coast, you can enjoy the clear blue sea and cliffs, and the coastal scenery is very diverse.
If you continue to explore the north of the island, you can also discover a secret "beach coast" near the boat mooring ruins. This place is full of shells that were eaten by other shellfish and left holes in their shells. When the islanders were young, they would pick up natural holes on the coast. Shells, made into accessories. When you take a walk here, in addition to enjoying the vast sea view, you can also pick up your favorite shells with holes and take them home as a souvenir for your arrival on the island!
Wakkanai in Hokkaido is blessed with blessings from nature. Whether it is the northernmost Cape Soya, the white path that combines beautiful scenery and environmental awareness, or the paradise-like Rishiri Island and Rebun Island, the vast natural scenery is refreshing! If you still want to know what fun, delicious, and beautiful places there are in Wakkanai, in addition to continuing to follow "Easy Shopping! Japan", you are also welcome to refer to the Wakkanai tourist information website and "Taiwanese Life at the Northernmost Point of Hokkaido"!
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