Memoirs of Aleisha

On day 2 of our northern Hokkaido road trip, we were up early and on the road again by just after 8am. We woke up in our hostel and checked out the view over Wakkanai. I was surprised by how big the town was. I was expecting a tiny nothing town.

From Cape Soya

Sea views. Not bad for a youth hostel.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

The hostel looked run down from the outside but was pleasantly nice and modest on the inside. For 20buks (2100yen), can’t really complain.

From Cape Soya

Packed up the car and we were on our way.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Wakkanai town, it’s only a 30minute drive to Cape Soya – which is the most northern point in Japan. Can’t get any more norther than that! It was nice scenic drive along the coast line.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

We saw a lot of fishermen out in shallow waters, all in full body wetsuits collecting some kind of seafood. These northern coastal towns have a thriving fishing industry.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

And then finally we reached our destination! Cape Soya. The most northern point in Japan. Woo hoo! That’s what I’m talking about.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

We got to the peak probably a tad before 9am. It was beautiful sunny day, although a little fresh.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

It was rather exciting to be standing there at the point. We could also see out to Russia – Sakhalin. We could make out the land mass beyond the sea. Sakhalin is only 43km from this Cape.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

Along with all the other people, we waited our turn to get the obligatory photo standing at the tip of Japan.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

It doesn’t get much north than this. Literally some rocks, and then the ocean out to Ohktohsk sea and you’re on your way swimming to Russia.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

Japan meets Russia:

From Cape Soya

For a bit of extra novelty, here are the most northern toilets in the whole of Japan. Unfortunately, I did not leave a piece of me behind.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

There is also of course, a souvenir shop.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

At 9:30am it was 12 degrees. And the coordinates of our location were displayed out the front, showing that we were indeed at the most northern point in Japan. We then went for a walk atop of the hill to look out onto the sea and get a higher view of the cape. There’s a little peace memorial park with some monuments atop of the hill.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

We saw a fox up there which was pretty cool. It’s leg was a bit injured because it limped about, which is why I was able to get photos of it without the fox running away.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

So much excitement for one day, or rather one hour. Our day had barely begun. More photos at the top. A few cool monuments to check out and great views out to sea.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

You can faintly make out the outline of Russia in the distance in this photo. Better seen with the naked eye than through a camera lens though.

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

From Cape Soya

There’s also a tiny little shrine at the Cape as well.

From Cape Soya

That was our morning at Cape Soya (Soya misaki). Not even 10am yet and I had checked off another item off the Japan bucketlist. Drove on back down to Wakkanai for the next part of our Hokkaido adventure.