Wakkanai Park

So I've driven back to the Hotel Saharin at Wakkanai. After a breather, there's still some time left in the day. Wakkanai Park is close(ish) by, so around 5 I walk on in.

I hadn't realized that the park is on a hillside so it's a bit of a climb to reach different stages of the park. The entrance of the park is fronted by the Hokumon Shrine (a Shinto shrine) and shortly after that I walk past a small group of deer grazing on park vegetation. There is a fence between them and me, but a largeish stag is close to the fence. Easy, big fella, I don't want any trouble 🤐

Some of the views over Wakkanai are magic. There's also sadness in some of the monuments over the loss of Japanese lives during the Russian WWII annexation of Sakhalen Island.

I'm in a sober state of mind heading down from the park. I pass another grazing deer, it can't be more than 3 metres away. It's been one of the best days I've had in Japan as far as photos go, also one of the most affecting days. Vale ...Read more