Cape Nosappu is the easternmost point in Japan that ordinary travelers can reach. The lighthouse, first built in the early Meiji era, stands above a low, cold shore looking toward the Habomai islets and Kunashiri. On clear days the geography feels close enough to touch, which makes the political distance more striking.
The cape is best early, especially if you are chasing the first sunrise in Japan. Around the viewpoint are memorials and small museums tied to the Northern Territories dispute, so the visit is not just a photo stop; it is also a sharp lesson in how remote borders shape everyday life here.