Wakkanai

Hokkaido used to be closely connected to southern Karafuto (by ferry), but was lost to Russia around the end of WWII (and is presently Sakhalin). Wakkanai Park contains a number of memorials to those who lost their lives or livelihoods as a result. On a clear day, you can see Sakhalin from here (it’s about 27 mi away). I saw it from the plane, but not from the ground.

Another interesting memorial at Wakkanai Park was one of thanks to the Sakhalin huskies trained here before an important expedition to the South Pole. Unfortunately, the relief team was delayed due to bad weather, and the huskies were left in Antarctica… but the lead dogs, Taro and Jiro (two littermates), were miraculously found one year later.Baca lagi