Wakkanai Airport — Wakkanai, Japan

Wakkanai Airport (WKJ) is located on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, near the city of Wakkanai, which sits closer to Russia's Sakhalin Island than to Tokyo. The airport connects this remote northern outpost to Sapporo and other Japanese cities, serving residents, fishing industry workers, and tourists drawn to the region's rugged coastal scenery and views toward Rebun and Rishiri islands. Wakkanai's subarctic climate brings harsh winters that test the airport's operations, yet WKJ remains a crucial year-round link given the area's isolation. The airport also holds strategic significance due to its proximity to Japan's maritime border, supporting both civilian travel and regional monitoring functions.