Soya Hills, Periglacial landform heritage site in Wakkanai, Japan.
Soya Hills is a periglacial landform in Wakkanai marked by gentle rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 20 to 400 meters (65 to 1,300 feet). The landscape consists of grasslands and open meadows spread across a broad area.
During the last glacial period, around 20,000 years ago, repeated freezing and thawing cycles shaped the distinctive rounded ridges and branching valleys. Forest fires in the Meiji period later transformed the densely wooded terrain into the grasslands visible today.
The name comes from an Ainu word meaning "large," referring to the sprawling terrain. Today, the open grasslands and pastures shape the character of this region, reflecting generations of human use and settlement patterns.
The area is accessible through marked footpaths, including a white shell-paved road made from crushed scallop shells that links observation points. The gentle rolling terrain makes walking relatively easy, with views of the surrounding landscape from elevated spots.
The site hosts a major wind farm with 57 turbines operating alongside pasture areas for Soya Black Cattle, a regional beef specialty. This blend of modern renewable energy and traditional grazing creates a distinctive landscape character.
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