Over the years I’ve been visiting the city (and prefecture), I’ve become fond of referring to Kagoshima (located at the southern tip of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands) as “where Japan ends.”
Now, this is not true in a literal sense; Japan very much continues down into the Okinawa archipelago. But Kagoshima, whose Shinkansen station the “last” stop along Japan’s bullet train route, has a terminal feel to its nonetheless.
I bring this up because although Wakkanai actually is Japan’s northernmost city—it’s quite literally where Japan begins—I of approach the task of tackling all the things to do in Wakkanai much in the same way I would at the country’s opposite extreme.
Where to Stay in Wakkanai
Wakkanai is a larger city than you’re provably expecting it to be, be thankfully, most Wakkanai hotels are confined to the downtown area near the train station and ferry terminal. These include Japanese business hotel brands such as Dormy Inn Wakkanai, as well as local hotels like The Stay Wakkanai and Surfeel Hotel, the latter of which is one of the city’s most distinctive buildings.
If you rent a car (and I would almost certainly suggest you do), then you could theoretically stay outside the center of town—Pension Arumeria, which is closer to Cape Soya, could be an option. With this being said, since you are probably continuing onward to Rishiri and/or Rebun after you finish in Wakkanai, staying far away from the ferry port could potentially complicate your journey there.
My Favorite Things to Do in Wakkanai
Walk or drive the White Shell Road
I’ll be honest: I don’t know exactly why the aptly-named White Shell Road is famous, nor how precisely it formed, so high above the sea and far from it. I do know that for me, it set the stage for a captivating day in Wakkanai; I’d recommend heading here first, if only because it’s on the way to where you’re likely to go second.
Drive to Cape Soya
That place being Cape Soya, which is probably the most unsurprising entry on this Wakkanai itinerary. The northern tip of Japan, Soyamisaki is not that impressive on its own, even if your chances of seeing deer (which certainly beautify the scene) are somewhat high. Rather, the way to the Cape is a highlight for me.
Gain some perspective
Wakkanai is surrounding by mountains everywhere you look, which means that amazing views are in abundance. While I wouldn’t suggest actually going up in the Wakkanai Centennial Memorial Tower (its windows, frankly, are too dirty to see anything out of), the mountain where it’s built offers amazing vistas across the bay.
Eat fresh seafood
It should come as no surprise, given that it’s surrounded by water on all sides, that eating fresh seafood is a top example of what to do in Wakkanai. My only specific recommendation in this regard would be to keep your eyes open. My proverbial best catch was not at a fancy restaurant, but at a random roadside stand.
Continue to Rishiri and Rebun
While it’s not accurate to say that Wakkanai isn’t worth visiting without a trip offshore to Rebun and/or Rishiri, these islands certainly complete an alluring tourism trifecta. If you’re going to head this far north, then devoting a couple extra days to taking a truly comprehensive trip seems sensible.
How Long Should You Stay in Wakkanai?
Wakkanai, as I’ve already said, is bigger than I was expecting. While I was able to tick all the items I had on my list off it with just one night in the city, there’s a part of me that wishes I’d stayed longer. This is not because I could’ve necessarily seen more—again, I pretty much did go everywhere—but because I might’ve had a chance to photograph various aspects of the city in different lighting conditions.
In particularly, since I needed to return my car in the evening due to my early ferry to Rebun the next morning, I wasn’t able to photograph Mt. Rishiri rising behind the Wakkanai skyline at sunset. By contrast, if I’d been more flexible about how many days in Wakkanai I could spend, I could’ve kept the rental car (at least) overnight, and gotten some great end-of-day shots.
Other FAQ About Visiting Wakkanai
Is Wakkanai worth visiting?
Wakkanai is absolutely worth visiting—and not just so that you can say you’ve been to the northernmost city in Japan. The city is incredibly picturesque, particularly as you drive along the White Shell Road to Cape Soya (the actual northern tip of Japan), and anywhere you can see Mt. Rishiri rising above the skyline.
What is the northernmost city in Japan?
Wakkanai is the northernmost city. It’s located about five hours by road or rail from Sapporo, and is also served by twice-daily flights from Tokyo’s Haneda airport. In addition to the city itself, Wakkanai is the primary jumping-off point for visits to Cape Soya, which is the northernmost point of land in all of Japan.
Can you see Sakhalin from Wakkanai?
On a clear day, you can see Sakhalin from Wakkanai. However, as of 2025, ferries from Wakkanai to Russia are no longer running, as a result of Russia’s continuing war against Ukraine. It reminds to be seen whether international connections will ever be restored.
The Bottom Line
If you’re anything like me, you might be surprised by the variety of things to do in Wakkanai—and, especially, all the onward excursions from the city. Wakkanai isn’t Tokyo or even Sapporo, but it’s much larger and more sprawling than you might expect for someplace so remote. Certainly, it will feel this way in retrospect, as you look back on the time you spend here from Rishiri and/or Rebun, assuming that you end up traveling offshore to those islands (and I of course hope that you do). Need personalized help putting together you adventures in far northern Hokkaido? Consider hiring me to plan your trip!
