Tour Duration: 5 days
Price : 550,000yen/person
Departure Location: Wakkanai Airport
Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu, the most northern national park in Japan, is a veritable treasure trove of off-the-beaten-path experiences and Hokkaido’s particular natural beauty. Japan’s northern border will satiate your need for adventure with its untamed coasts and mountainous terrain—this is an experience of a lifetime! No other location in Japan offers the chance to experience the strikingly Siberian-like scenery so near to the water, fishing communities, and rural areas. This trip is ideal for adventurers who dream of deep investigation into obscure regions of Japan that the majority of tourists will never have the chance to see.
Day 1 Discover rich ocean life while sea kayaking and fishing off Rishiri Island
The northernmost city in Japan and Hokkaido, Wakkanai, is where our excursion begins. Around 1:30 pm, your group will assemble in Central Wakkanai. We will have a quick meeting after everyone is present to introduce ourselves and inform everyone of our forthcoming experience before taking a ferry to Rebun Island. We will be in Rebun, often known as the “floating flower paradise,” in less than two hours. Each June, Japanese flower enthusiasts travel to this island to view the rare alpine flowers that can be seen at lower elevations.
The last traces of summer can still be sensed in the warm sea and the protracted darkness in September, so we will be able to enjoy our island experience in solitude. Before arriving at our accommodations in time for sunset, we will go north to visit the picturesque Cape Sukoton and its rugged shore. Our first evening meal together is at our lodging, which is situated on a seaside road with views of the ocean. The lunch will be served in a manner akin to Kaiseki Ryori, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal, and will include raw and cooked seafood, vegetables, rice, and soup.
Day 2 Hiking on the “floating flower garden” – Rebun Island
We start our first hike, a three-hour climb on the Momoiwa Trail, after eating the customary Japanese breakfast at our lodging. Given that the trailhead is close to the ferry dock, this is one of Rebun Island’s most well-known and convenient hiking routes. The trail extends to the southernmost point of the island and offers spectacular views of the ocean, a rocky shoreline, and the twin islands of Rishiri and Fuji that rise out of the water about 20 kilometers (12 miles) distant. There will be numerous opportunities to learn about the flora, animals, and life on Rebun Island as we hike under the guidance of the island’s resident hiking guide.
After the trek, we will be transported by van to the ferry dock so we may board the early afternoon sailing to Rishiri Island. Since Rishiri is an actual island volcano with a peak measured at 1,721m/ 5,646ft, the forty-minute ferry voyage transports us to an entirely different landscape. After settling into our three-night residence, we have the choice of taking a short stroll to Cape Peshi, a tiny peninsula that protects the port and rises to a height of 90 meters (295 feet). Our host will prepare dinner for us at our lodging using local, fresh seafood that has been harvested. The proprietor of our lodging, Mr. Toshiya Watanabe, is an outdoor guide who was born and raised on Rishiri Island and is quite familiar with the entire area! Over the next two days, he will tell us about his travels and his favorite playground.
Day 3 Island hopping in Japan’s northernmost National Park Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu
Our half-day sea kayaking and fishing excursion will be led by Toshiya, the proprietor of our lodging, who will use his fleet of three double kayaks that have been modified for fishing. We’ll break up into two groups today; one group will walk in the afternoon and do sea kayaking in the morning, and the other group will do the same things but in the opposite sequence. We won’t need to venture far offshore to catch fish, so we’ll stay close to the shore and explore the rocky coast. The water life near Rishiri is abundant and diverse. At the base of Mount Rishiri-Fuji, on land, we will hike for about four hours to reach the renowned Himenuma, a little mirror lake that reflects the outline of Rishiri-Fuji on its surface. We go out to eat tonight at a neighborhood bar restaurant to check out the nightlife on the island.
Day 4 Savour the Northern Islands’ seafood oriented gastronomy
Rebun Island is a hiking lover’s delight, while Rishiri is a cyclist’s utopia! The coastal road circles the island’s diameter, which is little under 60 kilometers (37 miles). Even more unique are the specially designed bike trails, which span about 25 km (15 miles) and include multiple viaducts offering breathtaking views of the valleys and ocean. The paths’ height and abundant width come from their original use as a tsunami evacuation route for locals; fortunately for us, this also makes them ideal bicycle infrastructure.
Cycling on this island is made twice as enjoyable by the sight of Mt. Rishiri, commonly known as Rishiri-Fuji due to its likeness to Mt. Fuji. We have a farewell supper at our lodging to mark the end of our Northern Island hopping journey.
Day 5 Ferry back and head to Wakkanai Airport
Our final day is also a transfer day today. We will board a ferry at 8:30 am, and it will arrive at Wakkanai at 10:10 am.
