How to go from Asahikawa to Wakkanai ?

Published on : 06/10/2017
by : Japan Experience

Soya super service

©By MaedaAkihiko - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110575501

Access to the most northern city in Japan

The route is covered by the Soya Service, a limited express train which runs between Sapporo and Wakkanai and the Sarobetsu Service, which runs between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.

The route is covered by the Soya Service, a limited express train which runs between Sapporo and Wakkanai and the Sarobetsu Service, which runs between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.

Limited Express Soya between Asahikawa and Wakkanai

0 KM - Asahikawa station

54 km - 0H28 - Wassamu station

Within the vicinity of the station you can find a small ski area and South Hill Forest Park with a lake for canoeing and fishing. You can also visit the former residence of Miura Ayako, a Japanese novelist who published over 80 works. Her debut novel was published in 1964 and won the Asahi Shimbun’s Ten Million Yen Award that year.

76 KM - 0h54 - Nayoro station

The vast sunflower fields make it a nice spot to visit in late July to mid-August. It has attracted the attention of various media, and the city was used as the filming location for the movie Hoshi Mamoru Inu (Star Protector Dog).Very snowy winters mean incredible snow sculptures area part of the Nayoro Snow Festival each year. The town is also home to the Kitasubaru Nayoro Astronomical Observatory. The observatory’s exhibition-space displays real-time solar telescope images, showcases the previous planetarium’s projector and provides information about Hideo Kihara (1911–1993) – a key figure in the development of astronomical observation in Nayoro.

98 km - 1H15 - Bifuka station

This is home to the Bifuka Sturgeon Museum, a small facility which maintains eight species of sturgeon fish.Sturgeon were found in the Teshio River as far as Bifuka, until the Meiji Period.

199 km - 2h46 - Horonobe station

The word Horonobe originates from Poro-Nup. InAinu language, poro means large and nup means grassland. The north 45° latitude passes through this town and is marked bya monument. Horonobe is also known for its reindeer; you can visit the Reindeer Ranch (398-1 Hokushin, Horonobecho, a 5-minute taxi ride from the station), and its wind turbines located on the beaches.

216 km - 3H - Toyotomi station

This is an access point to visit the Sarobetsu Plain.The plain is a marshy floodplain on the Sea of Japan, formed by the Teshio River and the Sarobetsu River. The Sarobetsu Plain was added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in 2005. They are home to more than 100 kinds of flowers and offer beautiful and much photographed scenery.

259 KM - 3H46 - Wakkanai station

199 km - 2h46 - Horonobe station

216 km - 3H - Toyotomi station

Soyamisaki, Wakkanai, Hokkaido

©Inunami,https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/flicker/,CC BY 2.0,https://www.flickr.com/photos/94693136@N05/8678522052/

Rishirifuji, Hokkaido

©houroumono,https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/flicker/,CC BY 2.0,https://www.flickr.com/photos/hourou/7820700788/

Discover Wakkanai

What to see ?

Soya-misaki

Thirty kilometers from Wakkanai, this cape is mainland Japan’s most northern point. The cape is also a good spot for bird watchers. There are four return buses each day,departing from JR Wakkanai Station (one hour each way, ¥2430).

Rishiri-rebun-sarobetsu National Park

These two islands, Rishiri-to and Rebun-to, are the main attraction of the area, featuring native wild flowers, beautiful landscapes andfantastic hiking for all levels of hiker. To get to Rishiri or Rebun, take a ferry from Wakkanai (2nd class one way tickets to Rishiri or Rebun, ¥2200).

Wakkanai Koen

This is a large park on the grassy hills west of the town, from where you can get good views of the sea. Thereare nice walking trails to explore. If you are here during Hanami, there are more than 4 000 wild cherry trees in the park. To getan even better view you can go to the top of the 70-meter-high Motoe Hiraku Centennial Memorial Tower (daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jul-Sep, until 9 p.m.) for a 360° view. You can sometimes even see Sakhalin in Russia.

Where to Stay ?

Dormy Inn Wakkanai (Aka Tenpoku No Yu) 天然温泉天北の湯ドーミーイン稚内

4 minutes on foot from WakkanaiStation. It is reasonable, comfortable and a great location.Enjoy the hot spring on the top floor.

2-7-13 Chuo, Wakkanai, Hokkaido, 097-0022

Tel : 01-6224-5489/ www.hotespa.net/hotels/wakkanai

Crowne Plaza Ana Wakkanai 稚内全日空ホテル

Only 3minutes on foot from Wakkani Station. The rooms face the oceangiving a good view.

1-2-2 Kaiun, Wakkanai, Hokkaido, 097-0023

Tel: 01-6223-8111/ https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/reservation

Where to eat ?

Pechika ペチカ

A small but popular Russian restaurant, whoseproprietor will often sing in both Japanese and Russian.Located south, down the main street from Wakkanai Station.

Open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., closed Tuesdays.

Tel: 01-6223-7070/ http://www.wakkanai-fukukou.com/pechika/index.html

Sushi Ryu 寿司竜

Fresh sushi located really close to Wakkanai Station. From the station, walk east; it is across the road from the post office.

Open daily, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tel : 01-6223-5631

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