Mist, Mountains, and Sea Urchins
Rishiri Island is one of the northernmost points in Japan, lying 20 km from the northwest shores of Hokkaido. Rishiri, along with its neighbor Rebun Island, is a haven for hikers, alpine flowers, and seafood lovers and provides that hard-to-find feeling of escaping everyday life. If you’re a fan of nature and outdoor activities. Luckily, none are too hardcore, so you can choose from gentle nature walks to more challenging mountain hikes, with cycling routes and mini-hikes in between.
Rishiri Island is centered around the impressive Mount Rishiri, a 1721-meter-high dormant volcano that offers a challenging climb. The island’s name means “island with a high peak” in the native Ainu language. It’s also known as the “floating island” thanks to its often mist-covered presence. The island has around 5,000 inhabitants and relies on fishing and tourism—so visiting and eating as much as possible is basically your civic duty. If you’re not into scaling volcanoes, then you can visit the island’s beautiful pond reserves, cycle the dedicated coastal route or prepare your own kelp.
Rishiri Island is centered around the impressive Mount Rishiri, a 1721-meter-high dormant volcano that offers a challenging climb. The island’s name means “island with a high peak” in the native Ainu language. It’s also known as the “floating island” thanks to its often mist-covered presence. The island has around 5,000 inhabitants and relies on fishing and tourism—so visiting and eating as much as possible is basically your civic duty. If you’re not into scaling volcanoes, then you can visit the island’s beautiful pond reserves, cycle the dedicated coastal route or prepare your own kelp.
