Wakkanai

Komadori Ski Center
4-1-14 Komadori (こまどり4丁目1-14)
+81 0162-22-4564
Â¥1500 per day
Dec-late Mar 10AM-5PM (sometimes night-skiing until 9PM)

A small ski resort in the Wakkanai kōen makes use of the lift here - 3 relatively short runs with just 150 m elevation difference and the longest at 300 m 985 ft.

Try biking north along the coast to see the dozens of small seaweed drying family operations to know where the seaweed in your food comes from. At the northern tip a nice lighthouse and an excellent aquarium await you - with great views of Government radars on green hills - and the islands of Rishiri and Rebun and occasionally Sahkalin are visible. The Moshiripa Youth Hostel rents out bikes at ¥200 per hour or ¥1000 for the day, and also have some slightly more expensive mountain bikes. There are also two golf courses out on the countryside.

Asahi Bowling
1-2-14 Chuō (中央1丁目2-14)
+81 0162-22-0538
Â¥500
10AM-6PM, certain days until 1AM
15 min walk NW of the train station on the main road

A 16 lane bowling alley claiming to be the best in Northern Japan - but then again, they might not have much competition. In any case it's a good option for a cold or rainy day, and watching the normally introverted Japanese hit a strike is fun.

Tokkari Snowmobile Rental
Airport Park (空港公園)
+81 0162-26-2470
2 laps for ¥1000
Feb-Mar 10AM-4PM

Naturally rents out snowmobiles. Also has a snowmobile course and offers free snowshoe walking.

Onsen

onsen
Riyu Harbor Onsen
1-6-28 Wakkanai Port (稚内市港1丁目6-28)
+81 0162-22-110
Â¥1000
10AM-10PM
10-15 min walk S of the railway station along the harbour

The most expensive and exclusive of the options, boasts some large open-air baths overlooking the sea.

onsen
Suimukan Pool
1-2-3 Chuō (中央1丁目2-3)
+81 0162-23-8100
Â¥800
May-Oct Tu-F 10AM-6PM, Sa Su 10AM-9PM, Nov-Apr Tu-Th 10AM-9PM, F 1PM-9PM, Su 10AM-6PM
In the harbour, a 5 min walk from the train stn towards the breakwater dome and the ANA hotel

Not so much an Onsen, more of a traditional indoor swimming pool under an impressive double domed roof. A 25 meter basin, waterslides, jacuzzi and a gym.

onsen
Wakkanai Onsen
Fujimi (富士見4丁目1487番)
+81 0162-28-1160
Â¥600
half an hour by bus (or around 7 km from the center) on the opposite side of the cape

The town's largest Onsen sits on the west coast and would have had some impressive unobstructed views of Rishiri Mountain, were it not for a huge blunder from the architect, though it is still visible from parts of the bath. A few indoor pools, and some outdoor ones which are unfortunately fenced in by hedges.