Rishiri-To ( Island ), Hokkaido

Rishiri-To ( Rishiri Island ) is an island located about 20km northwest of Hokkaido ( as above ). "Rishiri" in Ainu language means an island which has a high mountain, while there in the center of the island is Mount Rishiri, which is handsome. There are some lakes around the mountain. Visitors would enjoy walking around the island in a rich natural environment. The island is a part of Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park.

It is possible to fly to Rishiri-To. However it is also recommended to go to the island by a ferry which departs from Wakkanai port. It takes 1 hour 40 minutes to go to Rishiri-To from Wakkanai by a ferry, from which travelers could enjoy viewing the island ( as above ).

There are scheduled buses, regular sightseeing buses, rental cars and taxis in the island. However rental bicycles are also recommended. It is easy to find rental bicycle shops around the port after getting off the ferry. In addition, there are cycling roads in the island. Rental bicycles and cycling roads ( above ) help visitors go around without being disturbed by engine sound and exhaust gas. The island is about 63km in circumference.

In Rishiri-To, there are some lakes, ponds and swamps which have walking paths. The above shows Himenuma Lake and Mount Rishiri. Tourists could walk around the lake on a path while enjoying landscapes. Himenuma, located at an altitude of 130m, has a circumference of 800m. The path is closed through November-April.

Some people would like to walk a path up Mount Rishiri ( also called Rishiri Fuji ), which is 1,721m above sea level. Though I failed to climb up to its top, I enjoyed some of the mountain trail ( above ).

There is no toilet in the mountain. So visitors are required to bring portable toilets to protect the environment. Portable toilets are sold in mountain climbing office management building, convenience stores and hotels/inns.

Tourists walking around Rishiri-To island could see pretty residents such as a Shimarisu ( Chipmunk - above ) whose length is about 20-30cm including tails, weight about 100g. Also there are some possibilities to see sesame seals, Steller's sea eagles, white-tailed eagles and so on.

In the island, some endemic plants grow wild. The above photo shows Rishiri-Hinageshi, a kind of field poppy, which is one of species endemic to the island. The flowers bloom in early-mid July. Designated an endangered IB (EN).

It is worth walking around the port. The above photo shows Cape Peshi, a rocky mountain at an altitude of 90m, located in Oshidomari port. There is a path to walk up to the top where visitors could enjoy viewing landscape of surrounding areas including Mount Rishiri, Rebun island and the mainland of Hokkaido. Closed in winter.

Before getting on a ferry, it is worth having lunch in a restaurant near Oshidomari port. The above is Nama-Uni Don ( a bowl of rice topped with raw sea urchin ), one of local specialty dishes. Rishiri-To island is famous for sea urchin. The above photo was taken in a restaurant named "Isoyakitei" which is open through 10:00am - 5:00pm ( April-October ).

The island is also famous for Kombu ( edible kelp ). Various Kombu products are sold in souvenir shops around the port.