Cape Sōya, Northernmost headland in Hokkaido, Japan
Cape Soya is a rugged point of land at the northernmost edge of Hokkaido, where the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea converge. The site is surrounded by low coastal scrub and rises only a few meters above sea level.
During World War II, the Japanese navy used this point as an observation station to monitor ship movements between Japan and Sakhalin. After the war ended, local residents erected several memorials and developed the area into a place of remembrance and quiet reflection.
The name Sōya comes from an Ainu word describing its position by the water. Visitors follow a short path to a viewing platform where, on clear days, they can spot the Russian island of Sakhalin across the strait.
Strong winds sweep over the point, especially during autumn and winter, so warm clothing is recommended even on summer days. A small parking area near the cape offers toilets and an information board with guidance for navigating the coastal surroundings.
Signs at the outermost point display the straight-line distance to several world cities, including Tokyo and Moscow. During summer months, fishermen spread long strips of seaweed across rocks near the shoreline, drying them in the salty breeze.
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