This guide covers Mount Rishiri, the flowers and wildlife of Rishiri Island, the seasons and events around the island, and the taxi and ferry legs from Wakkanai.
Rishiri Island has Mount Rishiri, also called Rishiri-Fuji, at its centre. Mount Rishiri is a cone-shaped mountain and serves as the symbol of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. Rishiri Island lies to the west of Wakkanai.
Mount Rishiri at the Centre of the Island
Mount Rishiri stands as an independent peak. From a spot on the Kutsugata course, the Oshidomari route can be seen and the sheer ridgeline of Mount Rishiri appears.
The table below lists the elevation, a trail time and costs for Mount Rishiri.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Elevation of Mount Rishiri | 1,721 m |
| Trail through a forest of large ezo-matsu and todo-matsu trees from the Hokuroku campground trailhead | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Portable toilet set on the Mount Rishiri trail | 400 yen including tax |
| Mount Rishiri support pin badge, sold to fund trail repair and mountain conservation | 1,000 yen each |
Flowers and Wildlife on Rishiri Island
On the coast, in roadside grasslands and in wetlands, Ezo-kanzo forms colonies that colour the whole area orange. Kuroyuri is found along the coast of Kutsugata Cape Park. Kuroyuri blooms black flowers that face downward.
Rishiri-hinageshi blooms yellow flowers on gravelly ground on Mount Rishiri. Rishiri-bushi has blue-purple flowers and grows in the grassland on Mount Rishiri. Rishiri-ogi has white flowers growing on gravelly ground. Botan-kinbaiso has a red pistil in the middle of the flower.
The spotted seal has a grey back with black mottled markings and a pale grey underside with fewer markings. The chipmunk has brown fur with black stripes on its back. The hind legs of the robin are pale orange.
Seasons, Events and the Road Around the Island
Rishiri Town lies on the west side and Rishirifuji Town on the east side, and residents live along the coastline that encircles Mount Rishiri at the island's centre. The cycling course around Rishiri Island has start points to choose from.
In January the island has colours like a monochrome photograph, with a clear blue sky and Mount Rishiri covered in pure white snow. In March the snow covering Mount Rishiri loosens little by little and the mountain surface becomes mottled.
In September the pampas grass on the flatlands at dusk is dyed golden. In October autumn colours centred on ivy in the forest are at their peak. In December seals nap on the coast and eagles fly overhead.
The table below lists races and festivals held on the island.
| Event | Date and details |
|---|---|
| Island loop race | About 55 km, within 10 hours, on the first Sunday of June |
| Cycling course around the island | About 60 km, on the fourth Sunday of August |
| Salmon fishing tournament in Rishirifuji harbour | First Saturday and Sunday of October |
| Senposhi Shrine annual festival | June 21 |
| Kitamifuji Shrine annual festival in Kutsugata | June 25 |
| Kitami Shrine annual festival in Oniwaki | June 28 |
| Rishirizan Shrine annual festival in Oshidomari | July 1 |
| Hokkai Shima Matsuri in Oniwaki | Fourth Sunday of July |
Getting to Rishiri Island from Wakkanai
Heart Land Ferry sails from Wakkanai to Oshidomari on Rishiri Island. The Wakkanai Ferry Terminal parking lot is operated by Heart Land Ferry. The table below lists the taxi and ferry legs between Wakkanai, Rishiri Airport and the ferry terminals on the island.
| From and to | By | Time and cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wakkanai Airport to the Wakkanai ferry terminal | Taxi | About 30 minutes, about 5,000 yen |
| JR Wakkanai Station to the Wakkanai ferry terminal | Taxi | About 2 minutes, about 720 yen |
| Wakkanai to Rishiri (Oshidomari), second class | Heart Land Ferry | 3,590 yen one way |
| Wakkanai to Rishiri (Oshidomari), second class reserved seat | Heart Land Ferry | 4,250 yen one way |
| Wakkanai to Rishiri (Oshidomari), bicycle | Heart Land Ferry | 3,300 yen one way |
| Rishiri (Oshidomari or Kutsugata) to Rebun (Kafuka), second class | Heart Land Ferry | 1,800 yen one way |
| Rishiri Airport to the Oshidomari Ferry Terminal | Taxi | About 10 minutes, about 2,100 yen |
| Rishiri Airport to the Kutsugata Ferry Terminal | Taxi | About 20 minutes, about 3,800 yen |
| Wakkanai Ferry Terminal parking lot | Heart Land Ferry | 2,000 yen for 1 night and 2 days, with a basic rate of 1,000 yen per day |
With the crossing planned, places to stay on Rishiri Island are the next thing to settle.
Where to stay
Places to stay near Rishiri Island →
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