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Visiting Hokkaido? Aim for the Edge! Cape Soya in Wakkanai, the Northernmost Point of Japan
The northernmost point of Japan is Wakkanai City.
And at the northern tip of Wakkanai lies Cape Soya.
Let's take a little peek at what you'll find when you actually go to Cape Soya, and what kind of place it is.
Cape Soya is the northernmost point of mainland Japan, accessible to anyone without any special permits. It is located at latitude 45 degrees, 31 minutes, and 22 seconds north. When Cape Soya is featured on TV, the monument that almost always appears on screen is the "Monument of the Northernmost Point of Japan." The sky-piercing triangle is modeled after a single ridge of the North Star, and the circular base is said to represent "peace and harmony."
Looking out to sea from Cape Soya on a clear day, you can see Bentenjima Island, about 1.2 km offshore to the northwest. Bentenjima is the northernmost island within the territory effectively controlled by Japan. It is also a landing spot for Steller sea lions, so if you're lucky, you might be able to see them.
Now that you've set foot on the northernmost point of Japan, you'll surely want a memento of your visit. As it turns out, there's a perfect item called the "Certificate of Arrival at the Northernmost Point of Japan."
You can purchase it at "Kashiwaya," a long-established souvenir shop right next to the monument mentioned earlier. Additionally, if you refuel at the "Yasuda Sekiyu" gas station, just 200 meters from the monument, you will receive a "Certificate of Fueling at the Northernmost Point of Japan." If you're visiting by car, how about getting one as a souvenir?
Besides this, you can encounter various "northernmost" things throughout Wakkanai City. While visiting Cape Soya, it might be fun to search for other northernmost spots.
▼For more details, please see the Domingo spot page
Monument of the Northernmost Point of Japan
<Interview Cooperation & Thumbnail Photo Provided by>
Wakkanai Tourism Association
Location: 1F KITAKARA, 3-6-1 Chuo, Wakkanai, Hokkaido
Phone: 0162-24-1216
Official Website: http://www.welcome.wakkanai.hokkaido.jp
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Hokkaido Tourism Camera-Writer
Team Buchineko
We are "Team Buchineko," with many connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We will continue to share the charm of this wonderful Hokkaido.