A white road stretches straight through the lush green grass.
Follow it, and you will find the azure sea .......

This fantastic scenery is located in Wakkanai, the northernmost prefecture in Japan.
The white road continues for 3 km, delighting the eyes of visitors.
How in the world did such a single road come to be?

And what is the true nature of the white color?
Let us explore these questions.

The white path is located in the "Soya Hills Course" of the "Wakkanai Footpaths.
Footpath means "path for pedestrians," and "footpath walking" originated in England. Footpaths have been established in various parts of Hokkaido, and the "Wakkanai Footpath" was born in the Soya Hills of Wakkanai. The White Path is the last 3 km of the "Soya Hills Course.
Walking along the White Path, you will see a group of 57 large windmills, come across Soya black cows grazing leisurely, discover pretty alpine plants, and encounter a variety of other things. The 3-km path alone will allow you to experience the natural splendor of the rolling ridges of the Soya Hills.
Now, as to the identity of the white color you may be wondering about, look closely at your feet and you will see it. It is a scallop shell. Scallops harvested in this area are a local specialty, certified as Wakkanai brand. In 2011, the shells were crushed and scattered on the road to make effective use of them, and this was the beginning of the white road.

(Photo by Wakkanai Tourism Association)

The scattering of shells reduced the burden on the feet of people strolling along the path and also helped control weeds. Above all, the white paths create a fantastic sight and are now a popular tourist attraction. We hope you will add this extraordinary experience to the pages of your trip. However, please note that the road is closed when it snows.

<Cooperation for the report and thumbnail photo provided by
Wakkanai Tourism Association
Location: Kitakara 1F, 3-6-1 Chuo, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0162-24-1216
Official website: http://www.welcome.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp