https://www.cycletheadventure.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-09-29 https://www.cycletheadventure.com/blog/capesoyamustsee monthly 0.5 2026-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/d5e4fb8c-5bb3-435e-9459-005b91bf3af4/IMG_0284+2.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/8f97c3af-3a78-480f-9d3f-035075c291da/tempImagepfFukW.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - Cape Sōya: the Northernmost Point in Japan The monument is designed in the shape of a triangular pyramid, inspired by the facets of the North Star, a symbol of the northern lands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/09b3ba46-2650-4f7d-a8d9-e85909c73a23/IMG_0284+2.jpeg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - Make it stand out 世界平和 = World Peace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/9890affc-87ae-4b7f-9f11-5cfacdbfad3a/tempImageRHfI6V.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - The World Peace Bell 世界平和の鐘 Origins: Its story goes back to 1954, when a Japanese peace advocate, Chiyoji Nakagawa, initiated the creation of the original Japanese Peace Bell following the horrific tragedy of the atomic destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, with the purpose of reminding the world of the tragedy of war and to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons. The World Peace Bell at Cape Sōya was cast in 1988 using coins and medals donated by people from 81 countries. It became the first bell in a movement intended to carry the original message of peace beyond Japan and inspire the creation of similar bells around the world. Material: The original Japanese Peace Bell was made from the copper of coins and medals from the then 65 member states of the United Nations, to which was donated in sign of peace and is now located at the UN Headquarters in NYC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/6846a065-8ed6-420d-afad-51770c4fcf8c/IMG_0287.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - 2. The Future of Our Children Bell Nearby stands another bell with an equally hopeful message: the Future of Our Children Bell. Created in 1988, it was made possible through fundraising by the citizens of Wakkanai, together with coins and medals sent from 98 countries around the world. Its purpose is beautifully simple: to express the wishes of the Japanese people for the happiness and prosperity of future generations, and for lasting peace in their families, their communities and throughout the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/695b00d5-5289-4972-bad9-ab3290cbe48f/IMG_0283.jpeg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - 3. The Prayer Monument Origins: On 1 September 1983, Korean Air Lines Flight 007, travelling from New York to Seoul, strayed into restricted Soviet airspace over Sakhalin. The aircraft was intercepted and shot down by a Soviet fighter, killing all 269 people on board. The Prayer Monument was erected by relatives and friends of the victims in memory of those who lost their lives, while also expressing a wish for lasting world peace. Meaning: Its design resembles the neck of a crane. The elongated form symbolises the long search for the truth surrounding the tragedy and the continuing hope for peace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/fb6175fe-f661-4d70-9622-8a804d5e72d6/tempImageGMkahs.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - 4. The Akebono Statue あけぼの像 Not every monument in the park is connected to war or international politics… The Akebono Statue depicts a man and a woman in working clothes, standing firmly and gazing across the wide, seemingly endless landscape of Sōya. At first glance, I assumed it was another symbolic monument connected to the history of the area. Instead, I discovered that it celebrates something much more local: Hokkaido's dairy industry. It is a reminder that the history of Sōya is not only one of explorers, borders and conflict, but also of the people who have built their lives and livelihoods in this remote corner of Japan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/5d9ccbca-e691-4072-baac-47aba0ed2aef/Screenshot+2026-09-27+at+19.18.07.png Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - 5. La Pérouse Monument The history of Cape Sōya stretches back much further than modern Japan! In 1787, French naval officer Jean-François de La Pérouse led an expedition through the waters around northern Hokkaido. During his voyage, he identified and charted the strait separating Hokkaido from Sakhalin. The waterway subsequently became known as the La Pérouse Strait, which today is best known as the Sōya Strait. This monument at the park commemorates the explorer and his contribution to the geographical knowledge of the region! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/3b05d5fd-21f6-40a4-9368-40892ccad47f/IMG_0268.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - 6. Rinzō Mamiya Statue 間宮林蔵の立像 Another monument recalls the achievements of a Japanese explorer: Rinzō Mamiya. In the early nineteenth century, Mamiya travelled north from the Sōya region towards Karafuto, the Japanese name then used for Sakhalin, explored and mapped the island. His expedition helped establish that Sakhalin was an island rather than a peninsula connected to the Asian mainland. The strait was later named “Mamiya Strait” in his honour. His statue stands at Cape Sōya, looking across towards Sakhalin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/013246cc-3072-49ea-bef7-31922b4505be/IMG_0277.jpg Blog - Cape Sōya: more than just the Northernmost point of Japan - 7. The Monument of Peace 平和の碑 Perhaps the most striking reminder that history is rarely as simple as one side versus another is the Monument of Peace. Origins: During the Pacific War, the American submarine USS Wahoo attacked and sank a number of Japanese vessels in waters around Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan, resulting in significant loss of life. The submarine was later hunted down and sunk by Japanese forces in 1943. Meaning: The monument commemorates the Japanese and American lives lost in these wartime events, regardless of nationality, expressing a wish for reconciliation and peace. https://www.cycletheadventure.com/blog/howtogettowakkanaiwithyourbicycle monthly 0.5 2026-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/56f75d39-6540-4c28-93fa-9b9f0edb32a1/IMG_0294.jpg Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - You are dreaming of bike-packing across Japan from North to South, from the wild northern coastline of Cape Sōya to the sunlit shores of Cape Sata. Welcome Sign at Wakkanai Airport https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/7caaa856-fb89-48e6-87b8-b7afc97f38ff/IMG_0026+2.jpg Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - So you have landed in Japan. Immigration is done, your bicycle is back in your hands and the adventure is officially calling. Your next goal? Wakkanai, the northernmost city in the country! So how do you make your way there with a bike after landing in Tokyo? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/0af7b0e2-72f7-4caf-ad55-c9757f519a6a/IMG_0117.jpg Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - The easiest and fastest way to reach the north of the country is definitely by Airplane! All Nippon Airways (ANA) operates daily flights from Tokyo to Wakkanai Airport, making it a stress-free option, especially when travelling with a bicycle. Cost: A one way ticket is about €200. Yes, it can feel expensive, but: Bicycle: Included as checked baggage. Great news! Experience: Excellent service and a smooth, comfortable journey, with complimentary drinks, onboard Wi-Fi and personal entertainment screens. I really enjoyed the flight, I highly recommend it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/077d2f51-ec44-4423-9265-bf3db4f7b2c9/toyota-jpn-taxi-tokyo-japan-january-modern-car-ntp-city-street-358887879.webp Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - For a transfer from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport for one passenger with a bicycle box (140 × 70 × 30 cm), the following quote was provided in February  2026: Base fare: 27,900 JPY Meet service (driver waiting at the arrival gate with a name sign): 6,000 JPY Total amount: 33,700 JPY Optional service: English‑speaking driver: +5,000 JPY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/f1b40f70-70f5-4d6c-b7a2-fba4e6beecf3/941fe3cf-9d3a-4690-bf24-b2ea4f9a5bfd_narita-international-airport-limousine-bus-transfers-large.webp Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - Before flying to Japan, I contacted the bus company and sent them the dimensions of my bike box. They confirmed in advance that it would be accepted and on the day everything went smoothly. I bought my ticket at the counter, as I was not sure exactly when I would reach the bus stop. When boarding, the Limousine Bus staff asked me to sign a non-responsibility form in case of damage, but they handled the bike box with exceptional care when putting it in the luggage hold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/fca4862f-6591-4283-862f-4400b92dda11/Screenshot+2026-02-11+at+23.15.16.png Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - Another option! If you are not in a rush to start your adventure when you land in Japan, you can use a luggage delivery service to ship your bicycle from the airport directly to Wakkanai. However, please keep in mind that deliveries to Hokkaido may take longer than usual, so be sure to allow extra time for it to arrive and doublecheck with the delivery company. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6963ef3f73ef6f7acce66c16/8f1ebbc9-fd36-4356-b07b-211557a1e905/service__img_service_baggage_storage.jpg Blog - Getting to Wakkanai from Tokyo with Your Bicycle - These are the facilities I used upon arriving in Japan and also when leaving: Terminal 2 B1F - Paid 1,100 JPY per day when collecting the luggage - very nice and friendly. 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