Wakkanai, Japan

Wakkanai is the northernmost city in Japan. It has a population of about 42,000, and is in the subdistrict of Soya in northern Hokkaido. Wakkanai has a variety of stores and bars, a shopping mall, and a bowling alley. It does not have a movie theater, probably due to the fact that it is a small city, and movie theaters in Japan are expensive, one ticket costing 1800 yen (about 15-16 American dollars). Try biking north along the coast to see the dozens of small seaweed drying family operations to know where the seaweed in your food comes from. At the northern tip a nice lighthouse and an excellent aquarium awaits you - with great views of Government radars on green hills - and the islands of Rishiri and Rebun and Sahkalin visible. Wakkanai, Japan's most northern mainland city, is closest to the island's two most northern capes, Noshappu and Sôya, and that's the biggest tourist draw. Depart here for Rishiri-to and Rebun-to, islands off the coast, and, further off, Russia's Sakhalin Island. It's a quiet town whose economy depends on kelp fishing and tourism. The views of the water and its fishing boats are very picturesque all year round, and many brave the bitter cold to see the frozen bay in the dead of winter, a majestic (but chilly!) scene. In late February Wakkanai hosts the Japan Cup National Dogsled Races (). As the name implies, it's the biggest dogsled race in Japan. People come from Tokyo or Osaka to watch or compete – though where someone from Osaka practises their mushing is a bit of a mystery. For those with a plucky pooch of their own, their is the wan-wan-dash, where audience dogs can show their speed.