Cape Sōya
Northernmost point of Hokkaidō, Japan, with multiple memorials.
Cape Sōya (宗谷岬, Sōya-misaki) is the northernmost point of the island of Hokkaidō, Japan, located in Wakkanai, Sōya Subprefecture.
- location
- Wakkanai, Sōya Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan
- northernmost_point_of
- Island of Hokkaidō, Japan
- distance_to_Sakhalin
- 43 kilometers (27 miles) across La Perouse Strait
- true_northernmost_point
- Benten-jima, 1 kilometer northwest
- notable_monuments
- Monument of the Northernmost Point of Japan, Tower of Prayer, Monument of Peace,
- northernmost_facilities
- Cape Sōya Lighthouse, Idemitsu Cape Sōya SS, Ōmisaki Elementary School
Lore & Background
Cape Sōya is called notetu in the Ainu language, where not means chin or cape, and etu means nose. The name Soya is theorised to come from so ya in Ainu, meaning 'Rocky shore'. The cape hosts more than ten monuments, including the Monument of the Northernmost Point of Japan, though the true northernmost point under Japanese control is the deserted island of Benten-jima, 1 kilometer northwest.
Reader's Guide
Cape Sōya holds significance as a geographical landmark and a site of memorials. Its inscription notes that old enemies met as brothers to ensure lasting peace. The cape also features the northernmost lighthouse, filling station, and elementary school in Japan.
Did You Know?
- Cape Sōya is just 43 kilometers across La Perouse Strait from Cape Crillon on Sakhalin.
- The true northernmost point under Japanese control is the deserted island of Benten-jima, 1 kilometer northwest of the cape.
- Cape Sōya hosts the northernmost lighthouse, filling station, and elementary school in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Cape Sōya located?
Cape Sōya sits at the very tip of Wakkanai in the Sōya Subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan. It marks the northernmost tip of the Hokkaidō island itself.
Can you see Russia from Cape Sōya?
On a clear day, the island of Sakhalin is visible across La Perouse Strait, which measures only about 43 kilometers (27 miles) at that point. The nearest Russian landmark is Cape Crillon on Sakhalin's southern tip.
What memorials and monuments are at Cape Sōya?
The cape hosts a monument marking the northernmost point of Japan, a Tower of Prayer, a Monument of Peace, and a statue of the Edo-period explorer Mamiya Rinzō. Together they make the site a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Is Cape Sōya truly the northernmost point of all of Japan?
Cape Sōya is the northernmost point of the Hokkaidō island, but the absolute northernmost point of Japan is the tiny islet Benten-jima, roughly one kilometer to the northwest. The cape still carries the widely recognized 'northernmost' designation for the main landmass.
What other notable facilities are at Cape Sōya?
Beyond the memorials, the cape is home to the Cape Sōya Lighthouse, the Idemitsu Cape Sōya Service Station, and Ōmisaki Elementary School. It is one of the few spots in Japan where a full cluster of 'northernmost' facilities is gathered in a single area.
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