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On the summer solstice, where in Japan has the longest daylight hours? The answer is "XXX"
Hokkaido doesn't have a rainy season in the summer, and the weather is dry and refreshing. However, this summer passes in the blink of an eye. The summer solstice occurs in late June, and the days start to get shorter. Did you know that Hokkaido has the longest daylight hours in Japan on the summer solstice? We'll tell you why.
Why does Hokkaido have the longest daylight hours on the summer solstice?
The summer solstice, which marks the longest daylight hours of the year, usually occurs around June 22nd. In 2025, it will fall on Saturday, June 21st. Conversely, compared to the winter solstice, which marks the shortest daylight hours, the length of daylight changes by approximately five hours.
"Daylight hours" refers to the time between sunrise and sunset. But why does Hokkaido have the longest daylight hours on the summer solstice? The reason is that on the summer solstice, the sun rises the most northerly of the year and sets the most northerly. In other words, because Hokkaido is located the northernmost part of Japan, the hours of daylight are longer in comparison to other regions.
The place in Hokkaido where the daytime is the longest in Japan
So, where in Hokkaido has the longest daylight hours? The answer is Wakkanai, the northernmost city. Wakkanai's Cape Noshappu is also known as a spot where you can see beautiful sunsets, and many people visit to enjoy the summer solstice sunset.
By the way, many people think that the summer solstice is the day when the sun rises earliest and sets latest, but in fact, this is a slight misunderstanding. The day when the sun rises earliest is about a week earlier than the summer solstice, while the day when the sun sets latest is about a week later. This difference occurs because the movement of the sun changes depending on the season.
Hokkaido's summer travel season is just getting started!
After the summer solstice, the days get shorter as we move towards winter, but summer in Hokkaido is just getting started! The best time to see lavender will soon be here, and various events and festivals will be held all over Hokkaido. Come and enjoy the best Hokkaido summer ever!
Cape Noshappu
■Location: Noshappu 2-chome, Wakkanai City See details and maps of "Cape Noshappu" on Domingo
*Image is for illustrative purposes only.
