This place truly deserves its reputation as the Little Kyoto of the San'in region, tucked away in a basin surrounded by mountains.
Especially along the beautiful Tonomachi Street, one side is lined with traditional samurai residences with rustic white walls, while the other side has a crystal-clear canal.
Because there are relatively fewer tourists here, it lacks the bustle of more famous destinations. Instead, it perfectly preserves a sense of secluded elegance and tranquility. It’s an ideal place to slow all the way down and enjoy a deeper, more peaceful kind of travel.
Tonomachi Dori / Honmachi Dori (Streets) | Review by 10BRENDA
Other Reviews by 10BRENDA
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Karafuto Islanders Memorial – Gate of Ice and Snow
Located within Wakkanai Park, the Karafuto Islanders Memorial - Gate of Ice and Snow is a monument dedicated to those who lost their lives in Karafuto (now Sakhalin), which was once part of Japan. The memorial stands on ground that historically served as a vital link between Japan and Karafuto-a place where many people once came and went.
In Wakkanai Park, at Japan’s northernmost point, you’ll find not only stunning views overlooking the Soya Strait and Sakhalin, but also several memorials standing quietly throughout the park.
They silently tell the heavy history of the final days of World War II and the early postwar period—a time filled with heartbreaking separations and circumstances beyond people’s control. -
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Wakkanai Station
Wakkanai Station is the famed, northernmost railway station in Japan, located on the JR Soya Main Line. It sits just a 20-minute drive up from Wakkanai Airport, a 2-minute drive from the ferry terminal, and a 40-minute drive to Cape Soya, Japan's northernmost point. Swing by here for a smattering of different sightseeing delights, a bus terminal just off the front doorstep for routes to get you going, intercity buses to Sapporo, and regular sightseeing buses. For an added perk, check out Roadside Station Wakkanai just next door, the northernmost roadside station in Japan.
The northernmost station.
When you arrive here and walk toward the station, what greets you is definitely not the noise of a big city or crowds rushing by, but a quiet atmosphere wrapped in the sea breeze of the north and a slow, easy pace of life. -
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Ueno Farm
A garden unique to Hokkaido, adorned with plants centering on perennial grasses that grow in the northern climate. The flowers bloom with different colors dramatically according to season, hence the name “Dramatic Garden”.
Stepping into Ueno Farm feels like falling into a European fairy tale in an instant.
The owner has brought a warm English-style garden to Hokkaido, and the biggest surprise is the many little fairies hidden among the flowers and greenery. These delicate art installations add a fun, treasure-hunt-like fairy-tale charm to a walk through the garden.
Following the path up the hill, the row of colorful rainbow chairs at the top is a photo spot you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Sitting here and looking down, you can take in the patchwork-like garden and the wide-open rural scenery all at once. When the breeze blows through, being surrounded by all those colors and nature feels so soothing that it makes you want to sit there and lose track of time. -
