Wakkanai and Cape Soya

We took the long road north to see the northernmost point in Japan.

5 hours drive from Furano to the small and unassuming town of Wakkanai. Lots of big wide landscapes and a lot of the sea, accompanied by a big rainstorm.

We went into town for dinner on the tiny and delightful train that goes from Japan's northernmost station about twice a day.

Morning at Cape Soya, which is the actual northernmost point and is actually quite lovely, as long as you beat the coachloads of tourists, as we did.

It's only 26 miles to Russia, so we saw a hazy coastline on the horizon, and all the local signs are in Russian as well as Japanese and English. Probably the only time we are going to see all 3 languages that Chris can speak in one place.Read more