Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The monument to the northernmost point of Japan, erected at the tip of Cape Soya, is based on the motif of a single ridge of the North Star. The "N" in the center indicates north, and the circular shape of the base represents "peace and cooperation. On clear days, the shadow of the island of Sakhalin can be seen in the distance. Japan's northernmost cape is a favorite spot for travelers.

"Path of White Shells" is paved with crushed scallop shells, a specialty of the area. The contrast between the blue sky and the white road is beautiful and has become a hot spot on SNS. Surrounded by a landscape of pastures and windmills in the Soya Hills, visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

*"Path of White Shells" has priority for pedestrians. Please be careful when passing by car.

The boat ride from Wakkanai to Rishiri takes about 100 minutes. Rishiri Fuji," which can be seen when the weather is fine, looks like a mountain floating on the sea. It is a mysterious sight that makes you want to take a picture of it.

Otatomari Swamp is a scenic spot where Rishiri Fuji, the symbol of the island, can be seen beautifully. In season, lovely alpine plants bloom along the swamp's shores, providing a beautiful view. It is said that the package of "Shiroi Koibito," one of Hokkaido's famous sweets, depicts the view from here.

Kamui Kaigan Park is a hands-on tourist facility where you can "pick sea urchins. Visitors can enjoy picking sea urchins in the same way as local fishermen. You board a boat and use a net and box glasses to look into the water. The sea urchin should be cracked open immediately and eaten while it is still fresh. Sea urchins grown on Rishiri kelp are superbly delicious.

After enjoying Rishiri Island in the morning, we will next head to Rebun Island.

Rebun Island is also known as the "Floating Island of Flowers. There are about 300 kinds of flowers blooming on the island. Rent a car and start your trip Rebun Island.

Standing at the tip of the narrow cape jutting out into the sea, the azure ocean spreads out before your eyes. From the observatory, you can also see the uninhabited Todo Island floating in front of you. This is also the starting point of the "Cape Tour Course," about 13-km trekking tour from Cape Scoton to Cape Gorota , Cape Sukai, and other points.

From the cape, one can look out over the clear, blue ocean. A colony of the alpine plant Leven atsumoris is also located nearby. The best time to visit is from late May to mid-June. The area is a gathering spot for flower lovers.

Here, visitors can enjoy the "sea urchin peeling experience" while receiving a detailed lecture from the staff. The taste of sea urchin that has grown up eating Rishiri kelp and processed by yourself is exquisite.

Chanchan-yaki is a local Hokkaido dish of grilled fish and grilled vegetables cooked with miso and other seasonings. Salmon is usually used, but here on Rebun Island, hokke (salmon roe) chanchan-yaki is a specialty.

Kafuka Fisheries Cooperative is also proud of its fresh Kaisen-don, a bowl of rice topped with fresh seafood.

Drive to the Momoiwa Observatory parking lot and continue on foot along the Rebun Forest Road. You can view a variety of alpine plants. Along the way, there is a colony of the Leontopodium Discolor, a species endemic to the island. It is a pretty white flower. It is a member of the same family as the Alpine edelweiss and has a gentle, felt-like texture.

At the Kitano Canary Park, the elementary school used for the filming of the movie "Canaries of the North" is open to the public and displays photos and costumes. Visitors can also take pictures with a panel of the actors at the entrance of the school building.

The view of Rishiri Fuji from the schoolyard is spectacular.

At Kaisendokoro Kafuka, which we also visited on the second night, we will next have a bowl of sea urchin rice topped with Rebun Island sea urchin. Kafuka boasts the freshness that only a restaurant directly managed by the Kafuka Fisheries Cooperative Association can provide. The sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture is the ultimate delicacy! Eating a wide variety of seafood dishes is another pleasure of traveling.

How was your trip to the northernmost part of Japan? We hope you will make many memories.