Japan Diaries 4: Day 286

Day 286: August 14, 2022

Sunday - Drive Up North Day 3

Early morning stroll around Wakkanai Forest Park Camping Ground

After the drizzle early this morning, we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. For today’s itinerary, we would stay in Wakkanai City (稚内市) and explore Central Wakkanai and other nearby tourist spots on the outskirts of the city.

A quick stop at Gate of Ice and Snow

Gate of Ice and Snow (氷雪の門)

After packing up our tent, we left Wakkanai Forest Park Camping Ground and drove down to Central Wakkanai City. Before leaving the hill, we quickly stopped at the Gate of Ice and Snow for some pictures.

Northernmost McDonald’s in Japan

Time for breakfast

We didn't miss taking photos with the Northernmost Mcdonald’s in Japan marker

Since the tourist spots in the city are still mostly closed, we decided to eat breakfast first at the Northernmost McDonald’s in Japan. We got to take photos with Ronald McDonald and the inscription that we are in the northernmost McDonald’s in the country.

We drove back to the city center

Wakkanaishi Port Service Center

Cheap but quality bath at Wakkanaishi Port Service Center

After eating breakfast, we drove to the Wakkanaishi Port Service Center for cheap but quality baths. 

Heading out of the city center

Next stop: Wakkanai Animal Land

It was fun interacting with the numerous animals in Wakkanai Animal Land.


We then continued our trip by driving eastward to Wakkanai Animal Land. Ella had fun interacting with the animals and I enjoyed taking photos of them.

Driving along Fukuko Dori going to our next destination

Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall

Ella had her usual manhole cover shot here

RX-78-2 Gundam manhole cover

Inside the Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall

Wakkanai Fukuko Market

From there, we went back to Central Wakkanai. We first visited Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall and checked out the Wakkanai Fukuko Market for souvenirs. I learned a lot about the history of Karafuto Prefecture after visiting the Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall.

We wanted to try La Seine but it was fully booked

Wakkanai Roadside Station / Wakkanai JR Station

We found the Wakkanai Pokemon manhole cover

We looked for a nearby place to eat but were disappointed that the restaurant of our choice was fully booked when we arrived. Hence, we drove to Wakkanai Roadside Station as there are more choices of restaurants in the area.

Lunch at Fujita Shokudo 

Ella had some playground time at the free playground on the 2nd Floor of the Wakkanai Roadside Station building

We settled at the Fujita Shokudo for lunch. It is inside Wakkanai Roadside Station. The food was just OK and was enough to fill our stomachs. We then spent some time in the Wakkanai Roadside Station waiting for the 3 PM check-in of The Stay Wakkanai where we will spend the night. Luckily, there was a free playground there to keep Ella entertained. We also met a Tokyoite family we were coincidentally also waiting for their check-in in The Stay Wakkanai. Ella and their children instantly became friends.

Our home for the day - The Stay Wakkanai

We bought bento for dinner at the Seicomart near the station

When we got to check into our room, we spent some time resting before heading out to buy bento dinner at the Seicomart across the street from our place.

Wrapping up the day at Room 103

Overall, even though we planned to camp the whole trip, we needed to check in today as most of our devices were already drained including our 2 portable chargers. Aside from that, it’s a great feeling to finally lie down in a soft bed.

Well then, it's time for us to call it a night! See you on the 4th day of our Drive Up North road trip!


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