Find comfort and peace in the Japanese port of Wakkanai

Though the recent earthquake and its resulting complications have scared away some travelers, there is no denying that the island nation has a serene and wonderful aura that lends itself to calm meditation. Though urban centers like Tokyo and Kyoto may be more popular destinations, travelers seeking an ideal place to meditate for personal growth should cast their sights north to the port city of Wakkanai.

The northernmost city in the country, Wakkanai is a small but special town in the Soya district of the island of Hokkaido. The town has remained popular as a stop along the route to Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobestsu National Park, yet many of its own attractions are also lovely for travelers seeking peace and calm.

Wakkanai Park, for example, is a hilly plot of land that offers excellent views, a wealth of great hiking trails and several statues and monuments that will surely catch the eye and send the mind soaring. During the blooming season, the park is especially beautiful, as rows upon rows of cherry trees light up the sky with their bright pink petals.

Visitors can also reflect on the accomplishments of man by visiting the northernmost point monument on the nearby island of Soya. In addition to a series of plaques detailing many great strides in Japanese culture, there is large statue of Mayima Rinzo, the explorer who first discovered the island.

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