Japan's Far North 5 Day Hiking Tour

Celebrating reaching the highpoint of the hike

The breathtaking mountains and wild coastline of Japan’s northern frontier will quench your thirst for adventure on this island hopping multi-day guided hiking tour.

This tour is perfect for adventurers who dream of deep exploration into remote corners of Japan that most travellers would never have the opportunity to visit. Mountains meet the ocean on these unique islands.

The tour takes place in the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park, which sits at the very top of Hokkaido and is the northernmost national park in Japan. The southern tip of Sakhalin Island (Russia) is only 40kms away - this is as far north in Japan as you can get!

The islands have a distinct ecosystem with striking Siberia-like landscapes in close proximity to the ocean. Leave the sticky summer heat behind and enjoy the refreshing summer hiking in this subarctic region!

Tour Highlights

Island hop in Japan’s northernmost National Park

Discover why these islands have their own individual charms - despite being neighbours.

Hike on the “floating flower garden” – Rebun Island

See alpine flowers growing along the seashore and search for endemic orchids.

Hike on Mt. Rishiri, a stratovolcano towering above the ocean

The imposing peak stands at 1721m and is listed as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains.

Savour the Northern Islands’ seafood-oriented cuisine

The waters around the islands are teaming with seafood, from scallops to konbu kelp and you won't find it any fresher than at the restaurants in the local fishing ports.

Itinerary

Day 1

Meet in Wakkanai City & Ferry to Rebun Island

This tour kicks off in Wakkanai, the northernmost city in Hokkaido and Japan. Once everyone is together, we will hold a short meeting to introduce ourselves and brief everyone on the upcoming adventure. We then catch the ferry to Rebun Island at around 2:00 pm and in just under 2 hours we will arrive on Rebun, nicknamed the ”floating flower garden”.

Japanese flower lovers flock to this island each June to admire the rare alpine flowers that can be found at unusually low elevations. Later in the season, we are still able to enjoy our island adventure without the crowds but the remnants of summer can still be felt in the warm water and long twilight.

After getting off the ferry, we’ll set off to our accommodation on the coast, where we’ll settle in for the next two nights.

Day 2

Hike on Rebun Island

Today we will explore the northern part of Rebun Island starting from Cape Sukoton. The cape is at the northernmost end of Rebun Island, overlooking small rocky islands dotted in the blue ocean extending to the north. On a clear day, you will be able to catch sight of Russia’s Sakhalin Island over La Pérouse Strait. This is as far north as you can get!

We’ll enjoy walking on the scenic coastal trail exploring Cape Gorota and Cape Sky. The blue sea that hugs rocky coves and the fishing villages here and there provide a unique island hiking experience.

Once we complete the walk, we will travel by van to hopefully see more of Rebun’s flora and fauna. Cape Kaneda-no-misaki is our favourite location to spot wild seals, which are often seen sunbathing on rocks on a fine day.

Hike 9 km with 190 m climbing
Day 3

Hike on Rebun Island & Ferry to Rishiri Island

This morning we will explore the southern part of Rebun Island, hiking along the Momoiwa Trail. The trail starts near the ferry terminal and takes us down to the southern tip of the island. This popular trail provides unique scenery combining the ocean, rugged coastline, neighbouring Rishiri Island and colourful flowers along the trail.

Once we finish the walk, we will have lunch near the ferry terminal before catching an early afternoon departure for Rishiri Island. The forty-minute ferry ride takes us to a completely different landscape; Rishiri is literally an island volcano with a summit of 1,721m above sea level.

We will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the native conifer forest at the foot of Mt. Rishiri and Hime Numa, a famous little lake that reflects Mt. Rishiri on its mirror-like surface.

Hike 6 km with 250 m climbing
Day 4

Hike on Mt. Rishiri

If the weather permits, we’ll take on the challenge of climbing the 1,721m high Mt. Rishiri, also known as Rishiri-fuji. The island climate makes Rishiri-fuji a difficult peak to reach as it can be extremely windy and cold at any time of the year. Japanese hikers who are determined to conquer the peak often stay on the island for a week, waiting for the ideal weather conditions to hike the mountain.

If the weather is not fit for climbing Mt. Rishiri we will aim to summit Mt. Chokan, just below 1,200m , before retreating to the onsen hot spring at the foot of the mountain.

Tonight we dine out at a local izakaya bar-restaurant to celebrate our final night on the island.

Hike 13 km with 1440 m climbing
Day 5

Ferry to Wakkanai & Farewells

We have our final meal together at our hotel then board the ferry departing for Wakkanai in the morning. We will say our goodbyes at Wakkanai Ferry Terminal at around 2:00pm.

If you wish to extend your stay on Rishiri Island, perhaps to enjoy guided sea kayaking or a fishing tour, we can help to arrange your post-tour accommodation and other activities. Please indicate if you would like to extend your stay at the time of booking.

Dates & Prices

+¥19,000pp - +¥28,000pp for single room
  1. June 05, 2023 - June 09, 2023
    Closed
  2. July 10, 2023 - July 14, 2023
    Closed
  3. September 06, 2023 - September 10, 2023
    Fully Booked
  4. October 02, 2023 - October 06, 2023
    from ¥247,000pp
    Open
    Enquire
  5. May 20, 2024 - May 24, 2024
    from ¥247,000pp
    Open
    Enquire
  6. July 26, 2024 - July 30, 2024
    from ¥247,000pp
    Open
    Enquire
  7. August 05, 2024 - August 09, 2024
    from ¥247,000pp
    Open
    Enquire
  8. August 28, 2024 - September 01, 2024
    from ¥247,000pp
    Open
    Enquire
  9. September 30, 2024 - October 04, 2024
    from ¥247,000pp
    Open
    Enquire
  10. Enquire About a Private Departure

Travel Style

This hiking tour is a series of day hikes; either return, loop or traverse routes. We always come back to our van at the end of the day and transfer to our accommodation. This means your overnight luggage can stay in the van and you can experience the best of Japan’s Far North hiking with just a light day pack!

The group with Rishiri Fuji in the background
The group with Rishiri Fuji in the background
Stopping for a group photo along the Momoiwa trail
Stopping for a group photo along the Momoiwa trail
Rebun Lady's Slipper Orchid
Rebun Atsumorisou (Lady's slipper orchid)
Wild Rebun lady's slipper orchids growing by the sea
Wild Rebun lady's slipper orchids growing by the sea
The dramatic coastal views on Rebun island
The dramatic coastal views on Rebun island
Momoiwa and the sea cliffs on Rebun rise dramatically from the sea
Momoiwa and the sea cliffs on Rebun rise dramatically from the sea
Views of Mount Rishiri, or Rishiri Fuji, from the trail on Rebun
Views of Mount Rishiri, or Rishiri Fuji, from the trail on Rebun
Guide Tobaji pointing out the days hiking route on Rebun island
Guide Tobaji pointing out the days hiking route on Rebun island
Seafood on the islands
Seafood on the islands
The northernmost point of Rebun and our Japan's Far North tour
The northernmost point of Rebun and our Japan's Far North tour
The sea views make the climb worth it
The sea views make the climb worth it
Celebrating reaching the highpoint of the hike
Celebrating reaching the highpoint of the hike
The group dwarfed by the scale of the cliffs
The group dwarfed by the scale of the cliffs
Descending to the shoreline on Rebun
Descending to the shoreline on Rebun
Looking back along the cliffs from Gorota Beach, Rebun
Looking back along the cliffs from Gorota Beach, Rebun
Impressive cliffs at the end of the Misaki Meguri trail
Impressive cliffs at the end of the Misaki Meguri trail
A local made lunchbox
A local made lunchbox
A group of seals sheltering from the wind
A group of seals sheltering from the wind
Seal watching from the road on Rebun
Seal watching from the road on Rebun
A nature guide points to the summit of Mt Rishiri, which still has a few remaining snow patches, from the ferry between Wakkanai and Rishiri.
Guide Tobaji explaining the route to the top of Mount Rishiri, or Rishiri Fuji
Hiking through the pine forest on Rishiri Island
Hiking through the pine forest on Rishiri Island
Guide Tobaji describes the forest management
Guide Tobaji describes the forest management
Hokke Chanchan yaki, Atka Mackerel topped with miso and spring onions is a speciality of the islands
Hokke Chanchan yaki, Atka Mackerel topped with miso and spring onions is a speciality of the islands
Mt Rishiri-Fuji reflecting on Hime Numa
Mt Rishiri-Fuji reflecting on Hime Numa
Expansive ocean views from Mt Rishiri
Expansive ocean views from Mt Rishiri
The crystal clear waters of Rishiri are home to kombu kelp
The crystal clear waters of Rishiri are home to kombu kelp
A group of hikers walk through low lying green vegetation on Rebun island. There are no trees and the hikers have an unrestricted view of Mt Rishiri across the sea.
The trails on Rebun have some of the best views of Mount Rishiri