Port of Wakkanai
Port in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Port of Wakkanai (稚内港) is a major port located in the Municipality of Wakkanai, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Sakhalin lies about 62.81 kilometers (39.03 mi) to the north. Many ferries that go/come to/from Rishiri Island, Rebun Island and stop in Sakhalin in Russia. It is also a distribution center for industrial materials and essential items for residents in the North of Hokkaido. Otherwise, the port is a base for inshore and offshore fisheries, and the port plays a role in Sakhalin-III.[1] In 2007, the port was registered as Minato Oasis (みなとオアシス), and it was named "Minato Oasis Wakkanai" (みなとオアシスわっかない) by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.[2][3]
| Port of Wakkanai | |
|---|---|
View of Wakkanai Port from Wakkanai Park | |
 Interactive map of Port of Wakkanai | |
  Port of Wakkanai Location in Japan | |
| Location | |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Wakkanai, Hokkaido Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 45.415156°N 141.682957°E |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1948 |
| Owned by | Wakkanai |
| Type of harbour | Seaport |
| Size | 1,800 ha |
| No. of wharfs | 5 |
| Statistics | |
| Vessel arrivals | 6,260 |
| Annual cargo tonnage | 1,577,538 |
| Passenger traffic | 333,716 |
| Website Port of Wakkanai | |
Lanes
These lanes depart from Wakkanai International Ferry Terminal (also known as Wakkanai Ferry Terminal).[4] It is located in the Port of Wakkanai.
| Lane Name | Via | Destination | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wakkanai-Oshidomari Line[5] | Nonstop | Rishiri Island | Heart Land Ferry |
| Wakkanai-Kafuka Line[6] | Nonstop | Rebun Island |
| Lane Name | Via | Destination | Company | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sakhalin Line[7] | Nonstop | Korsakov, Sakhalin Oblast | Sakhalin Shipping Company | Suspended in 2019 |
History
Wakkanai Port originated when the Matsumae Domain Lords established facilities for paying taxes during the Edo era of Japan.[8] In the Meiji era, the port was regarded as an example of the cultivation of Hokkaido. Moreover, the port helped in developing the neighboring city of Wakkanai, which provided access to Karafuto after the Russo-Japanese War.[9]
Sakhalin lane
In 1989, the lanes, was commenced operating for the first time after World War II,[10] were bound for Kholmsk where is known as "Maoka" (真岡) in Japanese. In 1991, the lanes exclusively for tourists departed for Korsakov, known as "Ōtomari" (大泊) in Japanese.[11] However, the lanes have not been operated since 1995, and was discontinued in 2015. A new public-private sector ferry company was established by Wakkanai and the Sakhalin Shipping Company in 2016.[12] That ferry lane has been operated between August and September.
International ferry services across the Soya Strait between the two towns were suspended since 2019.[7] Efforts to reintroduce such services ended in 2022.[7]
Ground transportation
There is a bus stop located in front of the Wakkanai Ferry Terminal, connecting it to the rest of Hokkaido.[13]
| Name | Via | Destination | Company | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamanasu & Wakkanai (express bus)[14][15] | Non stop | Sapporo Station | Hokuto Kotsu Soya Bus |
|
| Airport bus[16][17] | Wakkanai Station | Wakkanai Airport | Soya Bus | Get on the bus at 700 yen once |
| Soya Misaki·Kuko Line[18] | Wakkanai Station·Cape Soya | Wakkanai Airport | Runs only during Summer |
Surrounding area
It takes about 7 minutes to travel from the port to Wakkanai Station on foot.
