Port of Wakkanai


The Port of Wakkanai is a major port located in the Municipality of Wakkanai, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Sakhalin lies about 62.81 kilometers 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. In 2007, the port was registered as Minato Oasis, and it was named "Minato Oasis Wakkanai" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Lanes

These lanes depart from Wakkanai International Ferry Terminal. It is located in the Port of Wakkanai.
Lane NameViaDestinationCompany
Wakkanai-Oshidomari LineNonstopRishiri IslandHeart Land Ferry
Wakkanai-Kafuka LineNonstopRebun IslandHeart Land Ferry

Lane NameViaDestinationCompanyNote
Sakhalin LineNonstopKorsakov, Sakhalin OblastSakhalin Shipping CompanySuspended in 2019

History

Wakkanai Port originated when the Matsumae Domain Lords established facilities for paying taxes during the Edo era of Japan. 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.

Sakhalin lane

In 1989, the lanes, was commenced operating for the first time after World War II, were bound for Kholmsk where is known as "Maoka" in Japanese. In 1991, the lanes exclusively for tourists departed for Korsakov, known as "Ōtomari" in Japanese. 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. 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. Efforts to reintroduce such services ended in 2022.

Ground transportation

There is a bus stop located in front of the Wakkanai Ferry Terminal, connecting it to the rest of Hokkaido.
NameViaDestinationCompanyNote
Hamanasu & Wakkanai Non stopSapporo StationHokuto Kotsu
Soya Bus
Airport busWakkanai StationWakkanai AirportSoya BusGet on the bus at 700 yen once
Soya Misaki·Kuko LineWakkanai Station·Cape SoyaWakkanai AirportSoya BusRuns only during Summer

Surrounding area

It takes about 7 minutes to travel from the port to Wakkanai Station on foot.