Trip Report

Japan Far North: Day 3 (Wakkanai to Seihoshi-Misaki, Rishiri Island)

Posted on Aug 13, 2013
3

Posted on Aug 13, 2013

We got to the Wakkanai ferry terminal at around 8:30am, and paid our 3,800yen each for a ferry ticket to Rishiri Island. We were lined up with a straggle of other drivers, many heading over to the island just for the day; the island is only about 60km in circumference.

Last updated Oct 14, 2018

 

Waiting at the Wakkanai Ferry Terminal for ferry to Rishiri Island, with bicycles (Hokkaido, Japan)The ferry doesn’t take long, something like an hour and a half. It was smooth sailing, with a pleasant cover of cloud to keep the heat of the day at bay.

Ferry from Wakkanai to Rishiri Island, Hokkaido, JapanThe ferry, carrying all manner of transport modes.

Bicycles on the on the ferry from Wakkanai to Rishiri Island, Hokkaido, JapanBicycles on the on the ferry from Wakkanai to Rishiri Island, Hokkaido, JapanOnce on the island, the first job was to find the famed around-Rishiri cycle road. It was well worth the effort: pure cycle-path bliss.

Rishiri Island cycle path (Hokkaido, Japan)

This must have cost a mint to make. Dedicated bridges spanning massive gorges.

Rishiri Island cycle path (Hokkaido, Japan)

One of the reasons people come to Rishiri Island is to see the jagged volcanic Mt. Rishiri. Essentially, the entire island is a volcano, jutting out of the sea. We had to wait until well into the afternoon to catch a glimpse of the majestic peak, and even then, it was only for an hour or so.

View of Mt. Rishiri reflecting in pond in Hokkaido, Japan

It was getting late before we managed to find a free campsite called Seihoshi-Misaki campground. By all indications, it was no longer a campground, however. Only remnants remained, but at least there was a picnic table, and enough clear ground for a tent and tarp. The view was breathtaking.

Camping on Rishiri Island, with Mt. Rishiri in the background (Hokkaido, Japan)More photos from today can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/14degrees/sets/72157635202068821/

 

 

 

Comments | Queries | Discussion

3 thoughts on “Japan Far North: Day 3 (Wakkanai to Seihoshi-Misaki, Rishiri Island)”

  1. We visited in August 2019. Packing our bikes in their bags saved us an extra fee on the ferry. Great tip!
    We camped by the lighthouse at Kutsugaya. A woman came around to collect the fee. There’s a shelter with a coin laundry, and an onsen in a nearby hotel.
    We ate lunch at this Michelin-rated ramen place https://livejapan.com/en/in-hokkaido/in-pref-hokkaido/in-sapporo_chitose/article-a1000151/
    Go early or be prepared to queue. It was awesome. Perhaps the best ramen you will ever eat.
    There’s also a very pleasant cafe in the same street, with kombu/kelp flavoured ice cream. Do try it.

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Japan Far North: Day 3 (Wakkanai to Seihoshi-Misaki, Rishiri Island) Difficulty Rating

Category

Grade

Points

Strenuousness

Vertical Gain

D

25

Time ascending

D

0

Technicality

Altitude

D

0

Hazards

D

Navigation

D

Totals

25/100

GRADES range from A (very difficult) to D (easy). Hazards include exposure to avalanche and fall risk. More details here. Rating rubric adapted from Hokkaido Yukiyama Guidebook 北海道雪山ガイド.