Wakkanai Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Wakkanai Roadside Station (道の駅 わっかない) is one of the prefecture's 128 roadside stations. It is located at 2 Chome Kaiun, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Wakkanai Roadside Station

Wakkanai Roadside Station details

Wakkanai Roadside Station is Japan's northernmost Michi-no-Eki (roadside station). The roadside station is connected and in a way considered a part of the JR Wakkanai Station. Wakkanai Roadside Station was registered as a roadside station last March 26, 2012, and was given Registration number 114.

Wakkanai Roadside Station - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

道の駅 わっかない

Wakkanai Pokemon manhole cover

Because it is a “part” of JR Wakkanai Station, the Wakkanai Roadside Station does not have distinct amenities, unlike other roadside stations except for the toilet area. Regardless, in a way, this can also be considered a unique characteristic as the roadside station shares amenities with the JR station.

Inside Wakkanai Roadside Station / JR Wakkanai Station

Inside Wakkanai Roadside Station

Wakkanai Roadside Station stamp and toilet location

Special NHK / BS4K display

JR Wakkanai Station stamp

Special presentations and guest speakers often perform or give talks inside the station

These are the amenities shared by Wakkanai Roadside Station and JR Wakkanai Station:

1F Wakkanai Roadside Station and JR Wakkanai Station

Wakkanai Select (Café)

Wakkanai Select (Café) / Cafe Mocha Matari

I tried the Hashed beef with rice set here during my first visit

This café serves a range of meals, including the Hayashi rice and Soya black beef hamburger sandwich, as well as drinks such as coffee and lemonade, making it ideal for waiting for the train or relaxing after a long drive.

Wakkanai Select (Souvenir Shop)

Wakkanai Select (Souvenir Shop)

Wakkanai Pokefuta stickers are also sold here

This shop sells Wakkanai-exclusive items and special agricultural and marine products from Soya Region.

Regional Exchange Center (Tourist Information Corner)

Regional Exchange Center (Tourist Information Corner)

You can rent bikes here too

Visitors can find out everything they need to know about Wakkanai right here. In addition to sightseeing information, event information, traffic information, and emergency disaster information are also disseminated through information terminals and tourist guides.

Wakkanai travel brochures

If you are coming to Wakkanai by train, make sure to drop by and get brochures or ask for the recommended itinerary before sightseeing in Wakkanai.

Fujita Shokudo

Fujita Shokudo

Itadakemasu!

Looking for a place to eat while waiting for your train? Then try Fujita Shokudo.

2F of Wakkanai Roadside Station / JR Wakkanai Station

Regional Exchange Center (Kids Room)

Regional Exchange Center (Kids Room)

This area is a place where parents can safely leave their kids while waiting for the train or resting after a long drive. Kids may play in the ball pool or try their hand at wall climbing, but most importantly, this is a terrific place for kids to make new friends. Lastly, this place is free of any admission fees.

Wakkanai Station Cinema

Wakkanai Station Cinema

Probably the northernmost cinema in Japan, it's a good place to watch the latest Hollywood / Japanese films.

Other things to see on the 2F

Train viewing deck

Gachapon area

I unknowingly visited Wakkanai Roadside Station for the first time last March 20, 2022, which was my 139th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. The funny thing was, during that visit, I only used the toilet after riding the train from Toyotomi to Wakkanai. I would find out later when I got home that it was the roadside station.

Team Nicerio visits Wakkanai Roadside Station

Regardless, I got to revisit it with my family last August 14, 2022, during the 3rd day of our 5-day Drive Up North road trip. This time, my daughter and I visited the roadside station to collect the roadside station stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. My daughter also tried out the Kids Room and met a new friend traveling from Tokyo.

Wakkanai Roadside Station Stamp

Wakkanai Roadside Station Stamp

Wakkanai Roadside Station Fees

Entering and using the amenities in Wakkanai Roadside Station is FREE. Parking is also FREE.

Wakkanai Roadside Station Operating Hours

Rest area

5:00-24:00

Regional Exchange Center (Tourist information Corner)

10:00-18:00

Wakkanai Select (Souvenir Shop)

8:30-18:00 (July-September)

9:00-18:00 (October-June)

Wakkanai Select (Café)

6: 00:00-16:00

Why visit the Wakkanai Roadside Station?

The Wakkanai Roadside Station is a must-visit if it is your first time visiting Wakkanai City. The Tourist Information Corner has all the information that you need to make your trip hassle-free and safe. You can ask about recommended itineraries for your trip and also about the weather conditions and how they affect particular areas of Wakkanai.

Getting to Wakkanai Roadside Station:

 

The Wakkanai Roadside Station is connected to the JR Wakkanai Station. The amenities are all located in one building. You can easily reach Wakkanai Roadside Station by riding the train bound for JR Wakkanai Station.

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