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When travelling, I like attempting to get off the overwhelmed path. So when the chance to journey to Wakkanai Hokkaido, probably the most northerly metropolis in Japan, arose I used to be joyful to sure to the journey. Whereas not visited by loads of overseas vacationers, Wakkanai is well-known for a fairly a number of causes.
To begin with, it’s house to Cape Soya, probably the most northerly level in all of Japan and simply 40km from the Russian Island of Sakhalin. It additionally the additionally the primary place in Japan to see dawn on New Years Day, which implies many individuals camp up right here within the freezing chilly New Years Eve.
The area can be house to gorgeous Nationwide Parks, Wetlands, Volcanic Islands and an everyday ferry that connects Japan with Russia – excellent for overland travellers searching for an epic journey.
Whereas I solely had 2 quick days in Wakkanai, I made probably the most of my time and ticked off as most of the many Wakkanai vacationer websites as potential. Right here’s my decide of the highest issues to do in Wakkanai together with out of doors adventures, chilling our in onsets and signing up for a singular Kimono Expertise. Planning to go to the area with the little ones? This information to Hokkaido with children ought to assist or you may learn my listing of the high locations to go to within the Hokkaido area.
As talked about, Wakkanai is probably the most northerly metropolis in all of Japan. which makes it fairly distant. Because of glorious public transport and low-cost flights, it’s nonetheless simple sufficient to get to though it does take time. We flew to Sapporo then took a 6 hour prepare trip from Sapporo prepare station in Wakkanai – with one fast cease to vary prepare in Asahidake. There’s additionally an airport in Asahidake that you could possibly fly to, after which it’s solely a 4 hour prepare trip.
There’s a very small airport in Wakkanai, with 1 day by day flight from Tokyo and two day by day flights from Sapporo – however I believe the prepare trip from Sapporo may be very lovely so wouldn’t suggest flying that route.
Getting Round
Whereas there are public buses and trains that may take you to, or close to, a few of the fundamental vacationer websites, having your individual transport offers you a lot extra freedom.
You’ll be able to both lease a automobile for a day or two and discover by your self, or the taxi affiliation does excursions of both 4 hours or 8 hours the place you may lease the taxi (and driver) to take you to all the primary sights for a massively discounted worth. This may be my first alternative because the roads could be tough to drive on when lined in snow and all of the signal posts are written in Japanese!
Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu Nationwide Park
Driving alongside the coast south of Wakkanai metropolis is mesmerising. You’ll move the rugged Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu Nationwide Park, a protected stretch of shoreline from Wakkanai to Horonobe, which appears spectacular in winter when the complete shoreline is roofed with an ideal blanket of snow. In summer season, you may go to a few of Japan’s most lovely seashores right here and in addition go to the remainder of the Nationwide Park which incorporates the volcanic mountain on Rishiri Island – which many says appears like an island floating within the sea and the close by Rebun Island.
We saved eager to cease the automobile to take pictures, mesmerised by the dramatic shoreline and delightful snow-covered seashores. I might positively like to return in summer season to see the distinction.
Sarobetsu Wetlands
The wetlands are literally a part of the Nationwide Park however are additionally, in a approach, a separate and should go to attraction. House to a whole bunch of birds and wildlife, together with owls, foxes, white rabbits, mendacity squirrels and possibly even a uncommon crane. In winter, the customer centre organzies snow shoe adventures throughout the wetlands – in search on animal footprints and studying concerning the fascinating formation of the Wetlands over hundreds of years or searching for an Eagle sighting.
In summer season, the programme is analogous, with lengthy walks across the wetlands as an alternative of snow shoeing and views of the spectacular fields full of untamed flowers and lengthy grasses.
We had a lot on their snow shoe journey – which included a enjoyable cease within the center o the snowy forest to have scorching chocolate and naturally Japan’s favorite snack – Package Kats! The centre offers each the snow footwear and heat, ski clothes and boots so that you don’t should deliver your individual.
Toyotomi Onsen Village
Onsen villages are one in every of my favorite issues in Japan! Toyotomi Onsen was truly based by chance when miners have been drilling for petroleum within the space and found the recent spring water. Additionally they discovered petroleum, and the 2 combine collectively to make a therapeutic (particularly for pores and skin issues) if not barely headache-inducing spa – the place the recent spring water smells like petrol however leaves you with silky easy pores and skin!
There two completely different bathing areas, and a small sauna inside the big onsen. The view out into the snow was lovely with ground to ceiling home windows giving an actual calming impact. The onsen within the village additionally has a small little restaurant with a alternative of noodle dishes, soups, good friend pork cutlet and a dish distinctive to the realm described beneath.
The city can be a ski resort, and whereas we didn’t go snowboarding whereas right here, it will be a enjoyable place to stick with a heat onsen assured after an extended day on the slopes! There are 7 onsets to select from within the village – so you could possibly even go to a special one every day!
Drive to Cape Soya
Whereas Cape Soya might be probably the most well-known landmark in Wakkanai, the drive there was truly a spotlight for me. On a transparent day the views are spectacular, trying throughout to small rocky islands lined in seals or out to Rishiri Island with its dramatic volcano floating within the ocean.
As soon as at Cape Soya, there’s a monument to take pictures at, a small reward store the place you should purchase souvenirs and a enjoyable certificates to say you made it Japan’s most northerly level, an outdated lighthouse, a windmill up on the hill and what appears like an outdated navy look out. This outing is finest executed on a transparent day so if the climate appears anyway clear, leap in a automobile (or lease a taxi for the day) and make your solution to Cape Soya.
Sundown at Cape Noshappu
Cape Noshappu, which is only a quick drive from Wakkanai metropolis, is the preferred sundown spot within the area. There’s this lovely dolphin sculpture and the sunsets at a precise angle that the sunshine shines by means of the dolphin sculpture. Individuals love travelling on this area as a result of you may see dawn at Cape Soya then sundown at Cape Noshappu all in the identical day.
Only a quick stroll from right here is the stripey pink and white Wakkanai Lighthouse – a enjoyable place to cease off for a photograph earlier than heading again to town or persevering with your journey down the coast. It’s additionally the second highest lighthouse in all of Japan!
Wakkanai North Breakwater Dome
An architectural masterpiece, the North Breakwater Dome is by far one of many high locations acquired go to in Wakkanai. Initially constructed as each a breakwater to guard the harbour throughout storms and as a passageway for individuals to stroll beneath linking the prepare station with the ferry terminal. Years later the station was moved to a brand new location close by and never as many individuals have been travelling by ferry from right here – so the connecting passageway is not used as a lot. It’s a wonderful constructing and a enjoyable place to {photograph}.
Keep in a resort with a view
I stayed in Lodge Surfeel Wakkanai and it got here with this unimaginable view of the harbour out my bed room window on the eighth ground. It’s strolling distance from some nice eating places (listed beneath) and in addition lower than 5 minutes stroll from Wakkanai Practice Station and the cool North Breakwater Dome. Oh, and their breakfast was probably the greatest I had in Japan!
Enjoyable Kimono Expertise
Our resort provided a really distinctive Kimono Expertise the place by you decide a standard Japanese Kimono from a collection of colors, then the girl will come to your resort room to assist put it on you (which takes about 20 minutes) after which she takes you out to some cool locations round city just like the shrine beneath to take pictures. It’s such a wonderful and iconic merchandise of clothes and I felt so grateful to have the chance to put on it.
Extremely suggest signing as much as this if in Wakkanai – the pictures in opposition to the backdrop of the snow have been fairly particular. The associated fee, per particular person, is $50 for the two hour expertise.
Kimono pictures because of Clara from Wild Street Journey Weblog.
Kimono Expertise Video
Participate in a tea ceremony
Whereas nonetheless wearing our Kimonos, we took half in a standard tea ceremony inside a mansion home turned museum. Mr Seto’s Home, as soon as owned by a wealthy fisherman in Wakkanai, is now a small museum that additionally gives a tea ceremony expertise – the place they educate you the normal strategies and etiquette. I did discover it fairly formal and struggled to take a seat on the ground in the appropriate place – however it was an interesting expertise and one I’m grateful I acquired to do.
It’s additionally cool to wander round the home, to see what a standard Japanese home appears like, particularly one that’s frozen in time.
What To Eat in Wakkanai
Attempt Genghis Khan – A Hokkaido Speciality
One of many meals specialities in Hokkaido is “Genghis Khan” – sure named after the person himself – and in some cities in Wakkani they use a really conventional dish for cooking the meal at your desk. The greens are cooked in water in a “moat” surrounding the recent plate, and the steam from the veggies cooking is definitely what cooks the meat on high. We tried deer and sheep meat and it was one of many tastiest dishes I ate in Japan.
This scrumptious grilled meat dish is often known as Jingisukan – so in the event you see indicators for Jingisukan eating places, remember to head straight in! That is very distinctive to Hokkaido and a must-eat meals in Wakkanai!
Octopus Shabu Shubu at Kurumaya Genji
On our first night time we indulged slightly an excessive amount of, munching down this scrumptious fried beed and an enormous plate of octopus shabby Shaun – a well-known hotpot dish very talked-about in Japan. It was a welcome meal contemplating how chilly it was outdoors that night time!
Sushi cease
As with all large city or metropolis in Japan, nice sushi is all the time only a quick stroll away. We ate right here on our final night time in Wakkanai – and the restaurant additionally had a variety of beer, sake and non-fish-based dishes together with noodle salad and steak!
I hope you’ve loved my Wakkanai Journey Information! In the event you assume I’ve forgotten something, or have any questions, please depart a remark or be at liberty to get in contact. This journey was made potential because of the native tourism board in Wakkanai internet hosting me for two days.
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