Wakkanai is known for its variety of seafood. Catching and selling sea-dwelling creatures (fish, crab, octopus, et cetera) and drying of seaweed may be considered the industry in Wakkanai. Some of the best restaurants are the local ones located around Minami-Wakkanai station. If its all just too much to cope with there is a McDonalds to rescue you from starvation.
Bukkakedon (ぶっかけ丼), 1-6-28 Wakkanai Port (稚内市港1丁目6-28) (In the Minato-market, S along the harbour), ☎ +81 0162 29-0829, . 11AM-8PM. Serves nice bowls (dons) of seafood and rice as well as soups and some packed lunches you can take on trips. No, the name is not a joke, it actually just means pouring something over something¥750-1600. �
Densuke (でんすけ), 2-8-7 Daikoku (大黒2丁目8-7) (Across from Minami-Wakkanai stn, near the Grand Hotel), ☎ +81 0162 22-4411, . Nice place dishing up homey seafood, quirky decoration with wooden figures and Buddha watching over you so you don't choke on the fish bones. �
Harunaie (はるな家), 3-2-24 Suehiro (末広3丁目2-24) (10 min S of the station along the railway), ☎ +81 0162 24-5882, . 11AM-3PM and 5PM-7PM, closed Tu and open until 8PM on F Sa. Soba shack with handmade noodles that brands itself as the northernmost soba shop in Japan, has its own organic farm for growing the buckwheat. Tasty! �
Irohanihoheto (いろはにほへと), 1-6-28 Wakkanai Port (稚内市港1丁目6-28) (In the Minato-market, south along the harbour), ☎ +81 (0162) 0162-24-6061, . 11-23. Part of a national chain, but it's actually quite nice, and the menu has pictures of nearly all the items. A good place if you are fed up with seafood. Western fare with a Japanese twist. ¥700-2500. �
Masujo (ます助), 2-9-31 Chuō (中央2丁目9-31) (Near the main railway stn, just a few blocks W), ☎ +81 0162 22-2221. Good beef tongue sets is the specialty, try the charcoaled ones, or you could go for the liver? Also has a good selection of spirits to kill your own. ¥800-2600. �
Rupon (るぱん), 2-2-33 Daikoku (大黒2丁目2-33), ☎ +81 0162 22-2275, . 5PM-1PM. Another place near Minami-Wakkanai station. Small, cozy Izakaya style eatery, with a long desk to eat at and lots of wood everywhere. Freshly caught seafood from local fishermen. Try the sea urchin tofu "Hot-pot" or the miso marinated squid.¥500-1000. �
Tongarashi (とんがらし), 2-7-37 Daikoku (大黒2丁目7-37), ☎ +81 0162 23-6008, . Near Minami-Wakkanai stn. Has a nice poster outside with pictures of the dishes if the Kanji's are daunting. Mainly seafood but not exclusively. �
Kamui (カムイ), Daikoku (大黒2丁目2-22), ☎ +81 0162 22-0070, . 5PM-1PM. Some nice casseroles and pots here with both seafood and meat, as well as a la carte fish and beef.¥400-1600, some seafood up to ¥4000. �
Pechka (ペチカ), Fukukou Ichiba (Minato 1chome/港1丁目), . A Russian restaurant located outside of the Fukukou Ichiba complex. Offers generous set menus and a seasonal menu. If you're lucky, you'll get hear restaurant owner Nina sing in Japanese and Russian. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Wakkanai
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Wakkanai - updated Mar 2024
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