This time our destination is the Port City of Wakkanai on the northern Island of Hokkaido. We signed up for a 3 day group tour and when we arrived at Haneda Airport our guide informed us that it was so windy in Wakkanai our flight might either be delayed, rerouted to another city in Hokkaido or maybe be canceled. Our flight's departure was delayed about 40 minutes and we were told when we took off that it was still not determined if it was safe to land at Wakkanai, the pilot would decide what to do when he got close to Wakkanai. Well, bless the Pilot, he managed to land us in Wakkanai but it was a bumpy ride until we had wheels on the ground.
At the airport everyone gathered their luggage and we proceeded to the tour bus. Our first stop of the adventure would be Cape Noshappu (Noshappu-misaki), the second northern most point in Japan. FYI: Cape Soya (Soya-misaki) is the famous northern most point in Japan and we'll be visiting it on our last day (day 3) of the tour.
We have arrived at Cape Noshappu. On the right-side of the picture is our tour bus. In the center of the picture is Noshappu Misaki lighthouse.
Everyone got off the bus and we were greeted by the strongest blast of wind I can remember. We all huddle in the shelter of a public rest room as the guide told us all about Cape Noshappu. Then she turned us loose to be beaten by the merciless wind.
Fun fact time: Per the guide This red-and-white lighthouse (42.7 m above sea level) is the second highest in Japan; it's one of the symbols of Noshappu Point. The first lighthouse of Noshappu Point was built in 1900 on a hilltop, 900m south from this point, and the present one was built in 1966.
This is the famous Cape Noshappu Dolphin Clock. As one can see its almost 2:00pm.
I wanted to take more pictures but the wind was blowing saltwater on us and I was protecting my camera from getting wet.
A look out at the wind blown sea.
One last look back and then it was time to get on the bus and go to Hokumon shrine.
Hokumon Shrine is the northernmost shrine in Japan with a resident Shinto priest.
I think this shrine is the guardian of the North (or something like that).
It's not shown in the picture but higher up on the hillside are several deer.
There's a baby fox between the paws of the mother fox. This is very rare and Emi happily pointed this out to me.
Antarctic observation dog Taro and Jiro. They were left behind in the South Pole for one year by unavoidable circumstances. The people who came back to South Pole base one year later were able to meet them again. This story was considered to be a beautiful story in Japan hence they are commemorated on a manhole cover at the entrance to the shrine.
Walking down the hill and heading for the bus.
Next stop: Wakkanai North Breakwater Dome (it's on the right-hand side of the picture.
This breakwater is amazing and I'll go into more detail about it further down the page.
From the park by the breakwater we can see ferry boats and the ferry terminal on the other side of the port.
There's also a monument here for Sumo wrestler Taihō Kōki. You can read all about him "here"
This park is also right in front of our hotel where we will soon be going to check in.
And now, here we are in the hotel lobby; pretty nice, yes!
Day 2: The next morning our tour bus wasn't departing until 10:00am so after breakfast Emi and I walked back to the Wakkanai North Breakwater Dome.
On one side of the breakwater it's rough and windy, on the other side it's... still very windy.
The entrance to the Dome.
Rising to a height of 13.6 meters (45 ft) above the sea and extending some 427 meters (1,401 ft), with seventy columns.
This is incredible. Please take the time to read about it "here" at Wikipedia.
On the inboard side of the breakwater the sea is much calmer.
There's even a couple of guys fishing here.
There's also a Japanese Coastguard ship moored here.
Well, time to walk back to the hotel and get on the tour bus; there's plenty more to see and do today!
Part 2 will be coming soon!
Thanks for stopping by!
Mike
Bonus shots!
