After Report
We have been delivering live tours on the theme of Japanese "culture" and "nature" from all over Japan to the world.
Our tour spot this time is Wakkanai, Hokkaido, the northernmost tip of Japan, where there are many surprises.
The navigator of the tour is "B", a cheerful French guide living in Hokkaido.
And together with Nakazawa, a local guide who has been guiding visitors to this city for many years, we explored new ways to enjoy Wakkanai while experiencing the history, nature, and food of this unexplored region.
■The 4 best things to do in Wakkanai, Hokkaido.
1. take a refreshing walk in a kimono through a snowy city
2. visit a secret spot visited by seals (very rare)
3. visit Cape Soya, the northernmost point in Japan
4. view the beautiful Rishiri Fuji.
Wakkanai is the northernmost town in Japan and Hokkaido, and is the gateway to Russia and other northern regions. From the northernmost point of Japan, Cape Soya, you can see Sakhalin Island in Russia. The place is much closer to Russia than Sapporo in Hokkaido, and the signs in town provide information not only in Japanese and English, but also in Russian.
The climate is blessed with four distinct seasons, which makes for some spectacular natural scenery. With good timing, you can spot seals, endemic Ezo deer, white-tailed eagles, and other precious animals.
■Access
By air (Wakkanai Airport): Direct flight from Tokyo (Haneda) - approx. 2 hours, Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) - approx. 1 hour
Bus: Highway bus from Sapporo - approx. 7 hours, night bus, etc.
We have limited time for this LIVE tour, so let's split into two teams.
The first team will go to the northernmost point of Japan, Cape Soya, via a secret spot visited by wild seals.
Can they get there safely in time for the live broadcast LIVE tour?
Have the second team wear kimonos and explore the city. As you watch this, you can experience both tours from where you are.
Strolling through the city in the pure white snow, wearing a traditional and gorgeous Japanese kimono, is a new way to enjoy this place. (Unfortunately, due to the delayed start of winter, there was not much snow on this day.)
You can also learn about Japanese culture by visiting the streets and shrines that remind you of Japan's ancient past and nature.
Wakkanai Omotenashi Kimono Team：https://www.wakkanai-omotenashi.net/
The starting point of the trip, this place that feels like ancient Roman architecture, is the Wakkanai Port North Breakwater Dome.
It is a huge structure with a total length of 427 meters and a height of 13.6 meters, and is made up of 70 stone pillars that support the breakwater, which was built to prevent the violent spray of waves hitting Soya Bay from splashing onto roads and railroads. These stone pillars are a sight to behold, and their beautiful design has made them a memorable photo spot for many tourists. From the top of the dome, you can see the magnificent Soya Bay. If the weather is good, you can even see Sakhalin Island in Russia about 50 kilometers away.
The team heading for Cape Soya spotted a wild seal, and we were very lucky to miraculously come across it during the one and a half hour live broadcast.
This is a special area in Japan known for the arrival of ice floes, which are drifts of frozen ice from the Amur River hundreds of kilometers away. The ice floes seem to bring the seals to Hokkaido.
●TIPS
A large amount of plankton is trapped in the ice floes, and when the ice floes melt in the spring, they flow out into the ocean. It attracts delicious fish and animals that feed on the plankton. This is one of the reasons why seals visit Wakkanai.
In Wakkanai, you can also encounter the Ezo deer, an endemic species.
It was temporarily an endangered species, but is now on the rise due to the disappearance of its natural enemy, the wolf.
Watch your step! Watch out for their droppings.
Mount Rishiri can be seen from the Oloron Line, the road leading to Cape Soya, the northernmost point of the island.Mount Rishiri, one of the "100 Famous Japanese Mountains," is an independent peak 1,721 meters high. It is also called "Rishiri Fuji" because of its resemblance to Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, as it gently extends its base from the highest point of the mountain to the sea.
We arrived at Cape Soya in time to see "Rishiri Fuji," "windmills turning slowly," and the magnificent natural scenery.
The observatory is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and with good timing, you can even see drift ice in the winter. It is a place where you can really feel the northernmost point of Japan. The tour ended with a wooden card to prove that we had arrived at the northernmost point.
Click here for the full version of this virtual tour (recorded video)
YouTube
How was your virtual tour of Wakkanai?
Wakkanai, Hokkaido, the northernmost point of Japan, has many surprises. I hope you will visit this place and discover new ways to enjoy it.
Now, which place should we go next?
TIPS
There are souvenir stores and restaurants around Cape Soya, where you can eat the famous "scallop ramen". “Scallop Ramen" is one of Wakkanai's specialties! It's also a good idea to ask the locals for their recommendations on the best restaurants to eat at. Just be careful not to overeat and miss out on another food you wanted!
Wakkanai hosts a variety of festivals. In mid-February in winter, you can enjoy the exotic music festival of Sakhalin, Russia, the ensemble "Lusky Terem". The ensemble's glittering Russian traditional costumes, powerful performances and dances are a precious experience that allows you to experience Russian culture in Japan.
Description
■Tour Info
Time: Starts at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 11th, Japan Standard Time
Check your Local Time
Length: The tours are usually between 1h and 2h depending on conditions and Virtual travelers participation
Price: It’s FREE !
Who can participate: Everyone! The tour is family friendly and interesting for all ages.
Language: English
Necessary equipment: Any internet capable device with a steady connection.
■ Introduction of the program
Amazing northernmost point of Japan.
The 4 best things to do in Wakkanai, Hokkaido.
We are bringing LIVE tours from all over Japan to people around the world who are eagerly waiting to visit Japan.
This time, let's go to the northernmost part of Japan where there are many wonders.
Walking boldly in the white snow wearing a kimono is a popular new way to enjoy this city.
View the beautiful winter mountains, visit secret spots where you can see seals and other rare animals, and get proof that you have reached the northernmost point of Japan.
It will be available in English (10:00 Japan time), Taiwanese (13:00 Japan time), and Thai (15:00 Japan time).
Thai https://live-travelers.com/products/wakkanai01
■LIVE Navigator
BERTRAND THIERRY M
B" is a cheerful French guide who has been living in Japan for more than 14 years and has been coordinating trips for overseas travelers from adventure to nightlife.
B", a cheerful French guide who has been coordinating trips for overseas travelers from adventure to nightlife for over 14 years, will guide you in English.
He lives in Hokkaido, but doesn't like cold places.
■Local guide
Hitomi Takeuchi, Wakkanai Kimono and Hospitality Committee
While working to promote the culture of wearing kimonos through the snow-covered streets of the city
She also provides tours for people visiting Wakkanai from overseas to experience the culture and history of Wakkanai.
■Tour Highlights
1. take a refreshing walk in a kimono through a snowy city
2. visit a secret spot visited by seals (very rare)
3. visit Cape Soya, the northernmost point in Japan
4. view the beautiful Rishiri Fuji.
■Wakkanai, Hokkaido
Wakkanai is the northernmost town in Japan and Hokkaido, and is the gateway to Russia and other northern regions.
From the northernmost point of Japan, Cape Soya, you can see Sakhalin Island in Russia.
The place is much closer to Russia than Sapporo in Hokkaido, and the signs in town provide information not only in Japanese and English, but also in Russian.
■How to join the trip
・Select "Attending" on the event page. Possible up until the day before the trip.
・Gather on the "LIVE" page 10 minutes prior to departure.
・Once it's time for departure, the trip will begin.
・You can directly ask the tour guide questions through text comments during the trip.
・Once the trip is over, a broadcasting a summary of the trip through this account is planned.
・After the virtual travel experience has finished, please let us know what you think via a survey!
・You don't need a ticket to join our tour, but you do need access to an internet connection.
■Points to be aware of
・Usable devices: PC / smartphones / tablets
・Necessary connection environment: More than 1.5Mbs / 1.5Mbs (Upload/download)
・Depending on the state of the connection at the destination, unexpected images, or unclear sound may occur
・Reuse or distribution of this content is strictly prohibited.
・Live streaming will begin 10 minutes before the departure of the virtual tour. Please confirm your local viewing conditions before departure.
・If the stream doesn't begin even after the scheduled departure time comes, please try reloading the page.
