Japan's northernmost point offers quintessential Hokkaido scenery
WAKKANAI, Hokkaido -- It has been nearly a year and a half since I began living in Hokkaido. In winter, ice and snow make long drives difficult. This
Wakkani, located in the northernmost part of Hokkaido, Japan, offers breathtaking scenery that is quintessential of the region. Despite living in Hokkaido for nearly a year and a half, the writer had not yet visited the area. One of the top destinations on their list was Cape Soya, situated about 280 kilometers from Sapporo in a straight line. In late August, the writer embarked on a journey to reach this northernmost point of Japan.
Upon arriving at Cape Soya, a monument marking the very tip of Japan stood tall amidst the stunning sunset. The Soya Strait, separating the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, was visible in the distance, with the island of Sakhalin (Karafuto) clearly distinguished. The writer reflected on the rich history, noting the presence of a statue of Mamiya Rinzo, an explorer from the Edo period (1603-1868), who had journeyed to the island.
The Soya Hills, created during the ice age through periglacial terrain, stretched behind the cape. Forests had been ravaged by wildfires during the Meiji era (1868-1912), leaving behind vast grasslands. The writer encountered Soya Black Cattle grazing peacefully amid the rolling hills, with hay bales resembling oversized Go stones dotting the landscape.
Following a sign indicating a seven-kilometer journey to the "White Path," the writer set off in their car. The White Path, paved in 2011 using crushed shells from locally harvested Soya scallops on a municipal road, offered a unique experience. Driving on the road, the writer felt as though they had entered a postcard, with the pale crimson hue of the road bathed in the evening sun.
The next day, the writer revisited the White Path. The morning sunlight emphasized the sharp contrast between the green grass and the road, creating a picturesque scene. A couple from Tokyo, Keiko Nose and Shinichi, along with their 24-year-old son Masami, joined the writer for a day of exploration. Shinichi expressed their desire to experience Hokkaido away from the typical tourist hotspots, stating, "This is quintessential Hokkaido."
The writer concluded that the expansive and beautiful scenery of Hokkaido is indeed present in Cape Soya, fulfilling the writer's quest for an authentic experience.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
