10 Things to Do in Wakkanai City

10 Things to Do in Wakkanai City

Wakkanai City (稚内市) is the northernmost city in Japan. Its name came from the Ainu word Yam-wakka-nay which means "cold water river". It is the capital of Hokkaido’s Sōya Subprefecture.

For those planning to visit Wakkanai City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Wakkanai City:

Wakkanai Manhole Cover

1. Take a picture of Wakkanai’s unique manhole covers. So far, I have seen 1 manhole design not counting the special Wakkanai Pokemon Manhole Cover. The colored Wakkanai manhole cover can be found at Cape Noshappu.

Wakkanai Roadside Station

2. Visit Wakkanai Roadside Station which is connected to Wakkanai JR Station. You can buy souvenirs here and also get the Wakkanai Roadside Station stamp for your stamp collection. As an added bonus, you will also find the Wakkanai Pokemon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales outside the roadside station building.

Hokumon Shrine

3. Visit Hokumon Shrine which is the northernmost manned shrine in Japan. You can offer prayers and also get a goshuin here for your goshuin collection.

Japan's Northernmost McDonald's
McDonald's Wakkanai

4. Dine in at McDonald’s Wakkanai or take a photo with Ronald outside. This McDonald's branch is dubbed as the Northernmost McDonald’s in Japan.

White Road / Path of White Shells

5. Drive, bike, or walk through the scenic White Road also called Path of White Shells. Also, don't forget to enjoy the scenic view when you reach the middle portion of the White Path. It has a fantastic view of the La Perouse Strait.

Wakkanai Park

6. Head up to Wakkanai Park which is located on top of a hill. It offers a magnificent view of the city and the Soya Strait. Aside from the view, you can also appreciate the numerous monuments installed there like the Gate of Ice and Snow memorial and the Monument to the Sakhalin Huskies.

Cape Noshappu

7. Visit the Cape Noshappu and watch the sunset. Don't forget to take a picture of the dolphin statue. 

Wakkanai North Breakwater Dome

8. Visit the Wakkanai North Breakwater Dome and see one of Wakkanai’s most famous landmarks.

Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower

9. Head up to Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower and enjoy the view of the city. As an added bonus, you can learn about the history of Wakkanai on the first and second floors of the tower.

Northernmost Point of Japan Landmark - Cape Soya 

10. Go to Cape Soya and have your photo taken at the Northernmost Point of Japan Landmark. If you visit on a clear day, you will be able to see Cape Krillon which is the southern tip of Sakhalin Island which is in Russia.


I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Wakkanai City gave you an idea and inspiration to visit the city in the near future.

#Wakkanai
#WakkanaiCity 
#WakkanaiHokkaido

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Location: Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 13, 2023 at 8:47 AM

    I really wanted to visit Wakkanai City. Thank you for this article.

    ReplyDelete

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