One of Hokkaido's 179 towns
Rishirifuji利尻富士町
Ferry port and trailhead for the volcano they call Rishiri Fuji
Soya region · Hokkaido's northern tip: Wakkanai, Cape Soya and the islands of Rishiri and Rebun.
Rishiri's perfect volcanic cone rises straight from the sea — climb it, cycle around it, and eat the uni that made the island famous.
Rishirifuji covers the north-eastern half of Rishiri Island, including Oshidomari, where the Wakkanai ferries dock, and the island's small airport. Mt. Rishiri, the 1,721-metre volcano that gives the island its shape and the town its name, is climbed from here, and the ponds at its foot mirror the summit on still mornings. This is the island's front door: the main trail, the hot spring and the cycling road all start here, so most visitors base themselves in this town.
- Region
- Soya (宗谷)
- From New Chitose Airport
- ~374 km · 5.7 h summer / 6.8 h winter
- From Sapporo
- ~326 km · 5 h summer / 5.9 h winter
- Best season in Soya
- Summer suits flowers and walks, but blooms and ferry conditions vary. Keep room in your plan to adjust.
Rishirifuji at a glance
Drive estimates: straight-line × 1.35, at 65 km/h (summer) / 55 km/h (winter). How we calculate
What to see in Rishirifuji
Mt. Rishiri
利尻山
One of Japan's 100 famous mountains, climbed in a long day from the Oshidomari trailhead. The path passes Kanrosensui, a spring listed among Japan's best waters, and ends with the whole island and the sea below.
Himenuma
姫沼
A small forest pond near Oshidomari, ringed by a boardwalk, that reflects the peak upside down on windless mornings. The easiest of the island's great views to reach.
Otatomari Pond
オタトマリ沼
A lake on the south-east coast at Oniwaki, where the view of the mountain across the water is one of the island's signature images. A path circles it through Sakhalin spruce and alpine plants.
Cape Peshi
ペシ岬
A steep rock knob rising right beside Oshidomari harbour. A short, sharp climb gives a view of the ferry coming in, the peak behind and Rebun to the north.
Getting to Rishirifuji
The Wakkanai ferry takes about an hour and 40 minutes to Oshidomari, and there is also a ferry link to Rebun. Rishiri Airport in the town has flights from Sapporo. Wakkanai itself is reached by air from Tokyo and Sapporo or by the Soya Main Line. On the island, a bus circles the ring road and bicycles can be rented for the cycling path.
Soya region: Reach Wakkanai by air, JR or intercity bus. Ferries to Rishiri and Rebun leave from Wakkanai port; check the operator's timetable and service status.
When to visit Rishirifuji
July and August for the mountain, when the trail is snow-free and alpine flowers line the upper slopes, and for sea urchin at its peak. June is quieter with early flowers and often the clearest skies. Late September brings autumn colour on the lower slopes; winter shuts most services.
What to eat in Rishirifuji
Sea urchin and Rishiri kelp, the same pair as the rest of the island, eaten raw over rice and carried home dried. Ramen with kelp broth is a local twist, hokke and squid come off the same boats, and the island's spring water goes into everything.
Rishirifuji in context: the Soya region
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Soya is the region at the northern tip of Hokkaido, made up of one city, eight towns and one village. Cape Soya, in Wakkanai city, is the northern end of Hokkaido's main island, marked by the Northernmost Point in Japan monument; on clear days Sakhalin can be visible across the strait. Wakkanai is also the port for ferries to the islands.