Rishiri District travel guide and discussion

Hello, fellow island-loving travelers✈️ This time, I’m introducing a 2-day, 1-night travel plan to Rishiri Island, departing from Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city🇯🇵✨️ If you love nature, sea urchin, or ramen, this is a must-see‼️👀 Rishiri Island is packed with charm that will make you want to visit again and again. You can access Rishiri Island by plane or ferry✈️ (departing from New Chitose or Okadama Airport). For those looking to save money or enjoy scenic views from the sea, the ferry is recommended🚢. ✅ Day 1 Near the ferry terminal! A fascinating supermarket full of surprises 📍Aizawa Food Hall Address: 3-5-8 Chuo, Wakkanai City, Hokkaido 097-0022 Hours: 9:00-19:00 It’s like the northern version of Seijo Ishii, offering bento boxes, fresh seafood, and freshly baked bread made with local ingredients. Perfect for enjoying a meal on the ferry🍞. 📍Wakkanai Ferry Terminal🚢 At the terminal shop, don’t miss the local sweets “Northman” and Wakkanai Milk🐮 (I drank it almost every day for two weeks during my stay🫶. It’s as rich as fresh cream and the best milk I’ve ever had🥇). Upon arrival, head to a popular café where travelers and regulars gather. It’s right near the car rental shop🚗³₃. 📍PORTO Coffee☕️ Address: 200 Oshidomari Port Town, Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0101 ✍️ Check Instagram for operating hours. The bread sold at the café is also very popular🥐, and all the drinks are so delicious you’ll have a hard time choosing✨️. 🚨Must-visit!!!🚨 The most difficult-to-access yet highly sought-after ramen in Japan🍜🍥 📍Rishiri Ramen Miraku Main Store Address: 67 Kutsugata Honcho, Rishiri Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0401 Hours: 11:00-14:30 (Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays) This ramen, packed with the rich umami of kelp, will captivate ramen lovers🍜. The roasted soy sauce ramen is highly recommended‼️. I gave some souvenir ramen to a friend, and they ended up visiting the store themselves✨️. Rare and unique local ice cream 📍Hokurindo Address: 4-5 Kutsugata Midorimachi, Rishiri Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0401 Innovative ice cream made with Rishiri’s sea urchin and kelp. Stir it with a kelp spoon, and it transforms into a texture similar to Turkish ice cream⁉️. You can even eat the kelp spoon😋. The ultimate souvenir spot❄⛄️ 📍Shiroi Koibito Hill (Numanoura Observatory) Address: Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0211 Did you know the motif on the Shiroi Koibito cookie box is actually Rishiri?✨️. A local izakaya serving delicious dishes made with local ingredients🍺🏮 📍Wayo Sosaku Iroha Address: 71 Oshidomari Honcho, Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0101 Hours: 17:00-22:00 (Closed Thursdays) Have you heard of “Tachikama”? It’s a rare delicacy made from pollock roe and salt, usually only available in winter. But here, you can enjoy it even in summer🥹. Enjoy the starry night sky and head to your hotel🏨. *This photo was taken with an iPhone Night Mode📸. Stunningly beautiful😍. ✅ Day 2 Indulge in a luxurious breakfast at the hotel🎶 📍Island Inn Rishiri🏨 Address: Fujimicho, Kutsugata, Rishiri Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0401 Although I usually prefer budget accommodations, I stayed here just to try their buffet🍽. Sea urchin rice, self-serve seafood bowls with unlimited salmon roe, Hokkaido asparagus... I ate so much I needed a break😂. After a rest, take a leisurely walk while admiring Rishiri Fuji🚶♀️. 📍Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park Address: Kutsugata, Rishiri Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0401 Enjoy rare plants and the flow of clouds over the mountain peak while soaking in nature🌱. You can complete the loop in about 30 minutes. Don’t forget souvenirs and trying Hamanasu & Kumazasa tea soft serve🍦. 📍Otatomari Marsh Address: Numanoura, Oniwaki, Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0211 On sunny days, the reflection of Rishiri Fuji on the water’s surface is stunning🗻. The Hamanasu flower scent and the mild Kumazasa tea flavor are distinct and worth trying👏. Highly recommended soba that impresses even the locals🥢 📍Bonten Address: Kutsugata, Rishiri Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 097-0401 Hours: 11:00-14:00 / 17:00-20:00 (Closed Mondays) The tempura here is exceptionally delicious. They also serve sea urchin bowls, perfect for treating yourself◎.

I woke up at 4:00 AM today to a brisk 18°C outside. Had breakfast right on the dot at 4:45 AM (my first time staying at a hotel that serves meals this early). At 6:30 AM, I took a leisurely 10-minute stroll to the ferry terminal. I caught the 7:15 AM ferry from Wakkanai Port and arrived at Rishiri Island (Oshidomari Port) at 8:55 AM. Right outside the ferry terminal exit, I hopped onto the sightseeing bus I had pre-booked on the official Soya Bus website. We departed at 9:05 AM and returned to our starting point by 12:15 PM. (There was absolutely no way to catch the 12:05 PM ferry back to Wakkanai, and the next one wasn't until 4:40 PM. Honestly, it feels like a deliberate move to keep visitors on the island for a few extra hours to boost local tourism spending?!) Rishiri Island is a circular volcanic island floating in the Sea of Japan, northwest of Hokkaido. It is famous for its stunning natural landscapes and premium seafood—especially its kelp and sea urchins. The entire island is part of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. With a circumference of about 63 kilometers, it only takes 1 to 1.5 hours to drive or take a bus around it, making it a highly popular destination for eco-tourism and island hopping. Standing proudly in the center of the island is Mount Rishiri, an extinct volcano reaching an elevation of 1,721 meters. Its striking resemblance to Mount Fuji has earned it the nickname "Rishiri Fuji." I took the ferry back, arriving at Wakkanai Port at 6:20 PM. I couldn't stop thinking about the sea urchin bowl on Rishiri Island—it was barely enough for a bite! Fukuko Market was already closed, but thankfully, the Aizawa Supermarket next to Wakkanai Station was still open. The star of my dinner was Wakkanai-produced sea urchin, accompanied by beef, striped shrimp, and a Hokkaido-exclusive beer. This dinner was absolutely fantastic! Note: I walked 4,940 steps today.

"Tsuginova" is a facility that utilizes the former Kutsugata Junior High School, which was closed on Rishiri Island, a remote island in Hokkaido. There is a co-working space, a cafe lounge, and a multi-purpose studio space that uses the old music room as a place to discuss relocating or settling in Rishiri Town and to connect people on and off the island. Not only islanders, but also people who stop by for sightseeing or work can feel free to use it☕️ Tsuginova Address: 55 Hinode-cho, Kutsugata, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 Closed: Open every day (except for New Year's holidays, etc.) #RishiriIsland #RishiriTown #Hokkaido

Rishiri Island Cafe Kitarindo Luxurious use of sea urchin and Rishiri kelp from Rishiri Island Kitarindo is famous for the phrase "Aisu Rishiriyama" served with a Rishiri kelp spoon There are other menu items using local specialties from Rishiri Island. · Rishiri kelp dashi salt soft serve 480 yen · Mountain grape smoothie 480 yen There are many other original souvenirs of Rishiri's specialties. They can also ship to other areas. There are many items that are sure to be well received as souvenirs, such as precious kelp salt and sea urchin delicacies. If you come to Rishiri Island for a trip, please stop by. Access information · Address 4-5 Kutsugata Midoricho, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido · Business hours 10:00-17:00 · Closed days Thursdays and other temporary closures Check the official website and Twitter · Access 15-minute walk from Kutsugata Ferry Terminal 17-minute drive from Oshidomari Ferry Terminal 12-minute drive from Rishiri Airport #Domestic travel #Rishiri Island #Rishiri #Remote island travel #Remote island travel #Rishiri travel #Rishiri tourism #Hokkaido tourism #Hokkaido travel #Hokkaido remote islands #Rishiri kelp

Rishiri Island Cafe Kitarindo Luxuriously uses sea urchin and Rishiri kelp from Rishiri Island Kitarindo is famous for the phrase "Aisu Rishiriyama" served with a Rishiri kelp spoon There are other menu items that use local specialties from Rishiri Island. · Rishiri kelp dashi salt soft serve 480 yen · Mountain grape smoothie 480 yen The dashi salt soft serve has an exquisite match of vanilla sweetness and saltiness, making it a soft serve that can only be enjoyed here! The mountain grape smoothie is also delicious, as if you were eating the whole fruit. If you are traveling to Rishiri Island, please stop by. Access information · Address 4-5 Kutsugata Midoricho, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido · Business hours 10:00-17:00 · Closed days Thursdays and other temporary closures Check the official website and Twitter · Access 15-minute walk from Kutsugata Port Ferry Terminal 17-minute drive from Oshidomari Port Ferry Terminal 12-minute drive from Rishiri Airport #Domestic travel #Rishiri Island #Rishiri #Remote island travel #Remote island travel #Rishiri travel #Rishiri tourism #Hokkaido tourism #Hokkaido travel #Hokkaido remote islands #Rishiri kelp

Cape Peshi on Rishiri Island, Hokkaido. Cape Peshi is a cape located in the southeastern part of Rishiri Island, Hokkaido, in Rishirifuji Town. It is a rocky cape with an altitude of 93m near the Oshidomari Ferry Terminal, the gateway to Rishiri Island. It is also called "Gorilla Rock" because the shadow and shape of the rock look like a gorilla from afar. There is an observation deck near the top of the cape, where a white lighthouse stands, and you can see Oshidomari Port below and Rebun Island and Wakkanai across the sea. It is also popular as a spot where you can enjoy the sunrise over the Sea of ​​Japan. The road is well maintained, so it is easy to walk. There were some steep sections on the time-saving steep slope. I went there around 11:00 on a weekday, and there were several groups at the top. The weather was good, so I could see Rebun Island beautifully. It is a highly recommended spot, so please visit it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 📍Location: Cape Peshi Oshidomari, Rishirifuji-cho, Hokkaido #Hokkaido #Rishiri Island #great view #great view spot

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip It's good for parents and children, but I want to go with my spouse or partner I feel like I've been purified by walking I want to go again

Himenuma is an artificial lake with a circumference of about 1 km, located in the Oshidomari area of Rishiri Island and surrounded by pristine forests. On clear days, you can enjoy the enchanting view of "Upside-down Rishiri Fuji" reflected on the lake's surface. A walking trail is well-maintained around the lake, making it a popular and easy 20-minute stroll. Birdwatching and seasonal flowers from spring to autumn are also highlights. At night, it becomes a beautiful stargazing spot. The nearby shop sells coffee made with water from Mount Rishiri and postcards. Note that restrooms are located in the parking area. 【Tourist Information】 📍Location: Oshidomari Bay, Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido 🕰️ Operating Period: May to October (Closed from November to April) 💰 Admission: Free 🚗 Access: About 10 minutes by car from Oshidomari Ferry Terminal, or a 20-minute walk from the "Himenuma Entrance" bus stop ・Parking: Available (Free, with restrooms) Duration: Approximately 20 minutes for the walk

📍Hokkaido, Hime-numa A walking trail of about 1 km has been developed around Hime-numa, making it a course where you can easily stroll through the virgin forest. At night, it is a spot where you can see a beautiful starry sky. During the Taisho era, spring water was dammed and three swamps that existed at the time were combined into one to form Hime-numa. The name comes from the fact that Himemasu salmon were released into the pond. At the shop (rest house), we sell photos and postcards of the scenery, flowers, and birds of Rishiri and Hime-numa, as well as coffee made with spring water from Mt. Rishiri. There are no toilets on the shores of Lake Hime-numa, so be sure to use the toilets in the parking lot beforehand! #0yentravelJanuary2025

Rishiri Island ✨ Oshidomari Port 🚢 Ferry Terminal The gateway to Rishiri Island is Oshidomari Port in Rishirifuji Town 🚢 The Oshidomari Port Ferry Terminal is located in a natural harbor jutting out from Cape Peshi ✨🚢✨ This is the port where Heartland Ferry's Rishiri Route (Rishiri-Rebun Route) departs and arrives 🚢✨ It is about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Wakkanai Ferry Terminal and about 45 minutes from Rebun Island Kafuka Port 🚢 It is the base for sightseeing on Rishiri Island ✨ There is also the "Oshidomari Sea Station," which is recommended for souvenirs ✨✨✨ 🚢✨ Oshidomari Port 🌏✨ 45 Oshidomari Port, Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District, Hokkaido #Hokkaido Tourism #Recommended #Rishiri Island #Heartland Ferry #Oshidomari Sea Station #Remote Island Travel

In front of Oshidomari Ferry Terminal PORTO COFFEE A cafe that opened in July 2020. Porto means port in Portuguese. It is located opposite the Oshidomari Ferry Terminal, but it is a little hard to find. However, you may notice it when you walk past it because of the delicious aroma of coffee! In addition to espresso and cafe mocha, they also offer rich flavored cafe lattes such as hazelnut, almond, and vanilla. They apparently imported their coffee machine from overseas, so you can enjoy authentic coffee on Rishiri Island. Oshidomari uses spring water from Mt. Rishiri for its tap water, so you can enjoy coffee brewed with delicious water that has been selected as one of the 100 famous waters in Japan. Other teas available are Darjeeling, Earl Grey, chai, and rooibos tea. They also have caramel milk and almond roca milk. They also have freshly baked, crispy croissants, pizza, cinnamon rolls, pretzels, and cheese rolls. How about some delicious coffee and bread to commemorate your visit to Rishiri Island? · Location 200 Oshidomariminatocho, Rishirifuji-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido. · Closed Days Irregular · Please check the official Instagram for details. · May not be open during the winter season from the end of October onwards. · Opening Hours 7:30-17:00 *May change depending on ferry operating hours. Please check the official Instagram. #HokkaidoTrip #HokkaidoTourism #RishiriIsland #RishiriTourism #RishiriTrip #RemoteIslandTrip #RishiriGourmet #CafeHunting #RishiriIslandCafe

Cape Peshi, Rishiri Island and History and Culture When you come to Rishiri Island, seafood is the best thing to do, but since it's a historic island, we hope you'll also be interested in its culture. When you're taking the ferry from Oshidomari Port Ferry Terminal, we'd like to introduce you to some tourist spots and cultural spots that you can visit at the end of your trip! The best tourist spot that you can walk to from Cape Peshi is Cape Peshi Observatory. About a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal. 90m above sea level. It takes about 40 minutes to climb up and down. If it's sunny, you can see Sakhalin! The stairs are well-maintained, so you can climb even if you don't have sturdy shoes. However, it is often windy, so you may need to be careful with skirts. After seeing Cape Peshi Observatory, take a short break at PORTO COFFEE. A shop selling freshly baked bread and authentic coffee in front of the ferry terminal. Why not try some coffee made with Rishiri's spring water? One of the best things about Rishiri Island is getting a takeaway coffee and enjoying the sea breeze in the park in front of the Rishiri Fuji Kanko Hotel. There are also many checkpoints for the limited-time "Rishiri Island Quest" near the Oshidomari Ferry Terminal. Clear the quest at the end and enter the lottery for a prize #HokkaidoTourism #HokkaidoTrip #Rishiri #RishiriIsland #RishiriTrip #RishiriTourism #RemoteIslandTrip

Oshidomari Ferry Terminal A ferry terminal with a ferry tariff between Wakkanai and Rishiri Island What you should definitely check out here Commemorative stamps for coming to the island Original Rishiri goods at the information counter Only Oshidomari Ferry Terminal has three types of commemorative stamps. Also, many of the original goods at the information counter are only available at Oshidomari Ferry Terminal. If you come to Rishiri Island for a trip, be sure to check them out! · Location Oshidomari Ferry Terminal, Oshidomari, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun · Opening hours Ferry tariff operating hours · Please check the official website as they vary depending on the season · May not be open during the winter season. Please check in advance. #HokkaidoTourism #RishiriIsland #RishiriTourism #RishiriTrip #RemoteIslandTrip #RemoteIslandTrip

Kitarindo is located along the road in Kutsugata. The shop is marked by a soft serve ice cream sculpture. It used to be located near the ferry terminal at Kutsugata Port, but it seems to have relocated. It has a wide variety of menu items using local ingredients, and is famous for its soft serve ice cream topped with dried sea urchin and grated kelp, which is eaten with a kelp spoon, and its beloved Rishiri Mountain and octopus cutlets. The dashi salt soft serve and smoothies made from Rishiri mountain grapes were also delicious. There is also an eat-in area and a souvenir sales area, so be sure to stop by. Kitarindo Address: 4-5 Kutsugata Midoricho, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido 097-0401 Business hours: (irregular holidays) 10:00-16:00 #Local ice cream #Sweets #Eating out #Local gourmet #Hokkaido tourism

Hokkaido Hokkaido Tourism I went to Rishiri Island, a remote island in the north of Hokkaido If you come to Rishiri Island, you can't miss it I went to the souvenir shop Rishiri Kameichi, so I'll share it with you 📍 Rishiri Kameichi 📍 182 Oniwaki Numaura, Rishirifuji-cho, Rishiri-gun, Hokkaido Rishiri Kameichi is a souvenir shop in front of Otatomari Swamp, a tourist spot on Rishiri Island! Here you can eat 📍Bafun sea urchin gunkan nigiri 📍Murasaki sea urchin gunkan nigiri and more! Another famous product is 📍Rishirikko, an original product of Rishiri Kameichi that you can buy! Rishirikko is a furikake made from the finest grated kelp, carefully shaved from Rishiri kelp, and squid and krill, an original blend created by Rishiri Kameichi! This is the best if you put it on rice #Hokkaido #Hokkaido trip #Wakkanai #Wakkanai sightseeing #Wakkanai trip #Rishiri Island #Rishiri #Otatomari Swamp #Rishiri Island Rishiri Kameichi #Rishiri Kameichi #Hokkaido sightseeing #777

Oshidomari Port is the ocean gateway to Rishiri Island, an isolated island in the north of Hokkaido. The ferry terminal is a large two-story building, and there are rental car shops and souvenir shops nearby. Pick-up and drop-off for hotels on the island is mainly handled here and at Rishiri Airport. On the first floor there is a souvenir shop, ticket office, and tourist information center. On the second floor there is a waiting room, restaurant, and coffee stand. It's the perfect place to wait for someone or to reminisce about the upcoming boat trip. #DomesticTravel #Hokkaido #RishiriIsland