Cape Sōya

Cape Sōya is the northernmost point of Japan located in Wakkanai on the island of Hokkaido, marked by monuments that denote its extreme latitude. It sits at the entrance to the Soya Strait facing the Russian island of Sakhalin.

The headland features lookout platforms and monuments marking the northern extremity of Hokkaido and Japan’s main islands, and it is a local focal point for photographers and day-trippers. The area is also used for seasonal birdwatching and coastal observation.

The site has postwar and modern memorials and markers associated with regional maritime history and border proximity; it functions primarily as a civic landmark rather than a historic fortress or settlement.

Positioned at the northern tip of Hokkaido near the city of Wakkanai, Cape Sōya faces the Soya Strait and is accessible by road from the city.

• Views to Sakhalin: Clear days offer views across the Soya Strait toward Sakhalin and Russian territory to the north.