Wakkanai is a city located in Sōya Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital of Sōya Subprefecture. It contains Japan's northernmost point, Cape Sōya, from which the Russian island of Sakhalin can be seen.
Clockwise from top: View of Wakkanai from Wakkanai Park, Cape Sōya monument, Wakkanai Lighthouse in Cape Nossapu, Wakkanai Train Station, North Breakwater Dome, Cape Sōya Wind Farm, Wakkanai Ice Snow Gate
Chihaku ferry "Aniwamaru" of Japanese Governmental Railway, touching down the north pier of Wakkanai port. Chihaku ferry had connected Wakkanai in Hokkaido and Odomari in Sakhalin, until the ferry ceased its operation in 1945.
Shore of Wakkanai
The northernmost point in Japan monument (on land) in Cape Sōya
Hokkaido is the second-largest island of Japan and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel.
Satellite image of Hokkaido by Terra, May 2001
Former Hokkaidō Government Office in Chūō-ku, Sapporo
The samurai and the Ainu, c. 1775
Matsumae Takahiro, a Matsumae lord of the late Edo period (December 10, 1829 – June 9, 1866)