Travel across Hokkaido, visiting the northernmost island and Sapporo by public transportation
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Days required
- 3 days and 2 nights
- Main methods of transportation
- ferry, bus, plane, train, subway
[Three days, two nights] This model course is a trip to Rishiri Island and Rebun Island, the northernmost islands available for sightseeing in Japan, and Sapporo. Travel through different airports to and from the islands. By doing so, you can enjoy an extensive trip.
<Airports to be used for this trip>
Starting point: Wakkanai Airport
End point: New Chitose Airport
Check out what to wear for your trip to Hokkaido here.
- * The spots and experience menus introduced in the course are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
[START] Wakkanai Airport
There are direct flights from New Chitose Airport and Haneda Airport to Wakkanai Airport; as of December 2023, a flight departs from Haneda Airport at 10:45 and arrives at Wakkanai Airport at 12:35. An airport bus is available from Wakkanai Airport coinciding with the time of arriving flights.
For details, please check the Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd. website.
Wakkanai Ferry Terminal
Kafuka Port (Rebun Island)
[Accommodation] Kafuka District, Rebun Island
Rebun Island has hotels, guest houses, and youth hostels. If you plan to start activities early in the morning the next day, it is convenient to stay near the activity point. If you are having trouble choosing a place to stay, we recommend the Kafuka district, where the ferry terminal is located.
Rebun Island Sightseeing
There are two ways to visit Rebun Island by public transportation.
The first is to use local buses. Although there are not many buses, you can take a bus to Cape Sukoton in the north and Shiretoko in the south.
If you take the bus early in the morning, you can visit popular spots such as Cape Sukoton, Hamanaka (Rebun Lady’s Slipper Preserve), Momoiwa trailhead (near the spot for spectacular views of Momoiwa and Nekoiwa), and Canary Park by bus alone. (It will take a full day to visit all of them.)
There are also trekking courses on Rebun Island. You can take a bus to Cape Sukoton, Shiretoko, Momoiwa trailhead, and Nairo (Mt. Rebun trailhead) and enjoy trekking.
The second method is to use a regular sightseeing bus. This seasonal bus usually runs from May to September. Visitors arriving at Kafuka Port by ferry in the early morning can take the regular sightseeing bus in the morning. From the harbor, you can tour Cape Sukai, Cape Sukoton, Momodai Nekodai Observatory, and Canary Park. The tour takes about 4 hours.
The regular sightseeing bus will give you more time if you want to visit Rishiri Island after Rebun Island. It is also recommended if you want to tour around tourist attractions. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance because the bus is crowded during the high season.
Cape Sukoton
Cape Sukoton is the northernmost point of Rebun Island and the most scenic spot on the island. The cliffs on the coast are directly formed into a cape. You can see Kaibato Island in front of the cape and Cape Kanetano on the opposite shore. On a clear day, Sakhalin can be seen in the distance. The island is a difficult place for ships to navigate, and at night the Kaibato Lighthouse illuminates the route.
- Address
- Funadomari Sukoton, Rebun-cho
- Telephone Number
- 0163-86-1001
Cape Sukai
Cape Sukai is the most popular tourist attraction on Rebun Island. The cape is located at the tip of a beautiful, arc-shaped cove. The crystal clear waters are so clear that one can see through to the bottom of the ocean. The color changes subtly with the sun's rays, and in summer you can see the jade-colored sea, known as "Rebun blue."
- Address
- Funadomari Nishikamidomari, Rebun-cho
- Telephone Number
- 0163-86-1001
Momoiwa Observatory
From this lookout, you can see the huge peach-shaped Momoiwa in front of you. In the distance, you can also see Nekoiwa, which looks like the silhouette of a cat. There is also a popular trekking course called the "Momoiwa Observatory Course. From here, you can walk via the Motochi Lighthouse to the Shiretoko area at the southern tip of Rebun Island. This course is a treasure trove of alpine flora and is also known as the Flower Road. 2022 saw the designation of the Momoiwa area as a national natural monument for its alpine flora.
- Address
- Kafuka Motoji, Rebun-cho
- Telephone Number
- 0163-86-1001
Oshidomari Port (Rishiri Island)
There are two ports on Rishiri Island. Oshidomari Port has a large number of ferry services. Kutsugata Port is close to Rebun Island. Kutsugata Port may only have services during the summer.
Travel by regular sightseeing bus
Although only available in summer, there is a regular sightseeing bus that leaves from Kutsugata Port in the afternoon, and is recommended for those who want to see both Rebun and Rishiri islands in one day. The bus will take you to places of interest such as Otatomari Swamp and the Rishiri Town Museum.
Otatomari Swamp
Otatomari swamp is the largest lake and marsh wetland on Rishiri Island. It is a beautiful swamp surrounded by a virgin forest of Japanese red spruce, the northernmost in Japan. It is also a popular viewing spot from which Rishiri Fuji can be seen in the distance. There is a walking trail that takes about 30 minutes to walk around the swamp, and from June to July, kakitsubata (Japanese snowbell) flowers are in full bloom.
- Address
- Oniwaki, Rishirifuji-cho, Rishiri-gun
- Telephone Number
- 0163-82-2201
- Closed
- No access when there is snow
Rishiri Fuji
A beautiful mountain in the northernmost part of Japan
Mt. Rishiri is a 1,721-meter-high mountain located on Rishiri Island. It is also known as "Rishiri Fuji" because of its beautiful and gentle ridges like Mt. Fuji. It is the northernmost of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan and is popular among climbers. From the top, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view. You can see the entire island of Rishiri, as well as Rebun Island and the main island of Hokkaido across the sea. Alpine plants unique to this area, such as rishiri hinageshi (Papaver Fauriei) and rishiri ougi (Astragalus Frigidus), can also be seen.
- Address
- Oniwaki, Rishirifuji-cho, Rishiri-gun
- Telephone Number
- 0163-82-1111
Senhoshimisaki Park
This is a nature park located at the southernmost tip of Rishiri Island. It is a viewing spot where you can see the crystal clear sea and the majestic Mt. Rishiri. When Mt. Rishiri erupted, lava flowed into the sea. Many oddly shaped rocks and stones formed by the lava can be seen here. Natural sea urchins and kelp can be seen at the observation site on the shore.
- Address
- Senboshimisaki, Rishiri-cho, Rishiri-gun
- Telephone Number
- 0163-84-2345
[Accommodation] Rishiri Island
Rishiri Island has hotels and guest houses near two ports.
Rishiri Airport
Flights to Okadama Airport (Sapporo) depart twice daily on weekends in summer. Please check the JAL website for flight times as they change depending on the season.
If you have finished sightseeing in Rishiri Island by the previous day, flights departing in the morning are also available. There is also a bus that goes past Rishiri Airport, but if the time does not suit you, you can walk from the nearby Hondomari bus stop.
Okadama Airport
Sightseeing in downtown Sapporo (night view)
The night view of Sapporo is famous as one of the most beautiful night views in Japan. It can be viewed from various observatory facilities in Sapporo. All of the spots are easily accessible, so visiting them is recommended.
Sapporo Night View Spots
- Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway
- The Sapporo Mt. Moiwa Ropeway is a popular spot for beautiful night views of Sapporo. It is one of Japan's new top three nightscapes. During the daytime, you can view the beautiful cityscape of Sapporo. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere at sunset and the night view as well. The observatory at the top of the mountain offers a beautiful 360-degree view. The "Fortune Bell," which is considered a sacred place for lovers, is located here, making it a popular date spot. There is also a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while viewing the night view.
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/spot/detail_10008.html
- Okurayama Observation Lounge
- From the Okurayama Observation Lounge, you can enjoy the cityscape of Sapporo, which has been selected as one of the "New Three Great Night Views of Japan." The night view shining at the foot of the mountain is a scene that can only be seen from the Okurayama Observatory.
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/spot/detail_10524.html
- Sapporo TV Tower
- The tower stands at the east end of Odori Park and is 147.2 meters high. There is also an observatory from which visitors can enjoy the scenery of Sapporo. It is a landmark tower loved by many citizens and tourists.
- https://www.visit-hokkaido.jp/en/spot/detail_10011.html
[Accommodation] Sapporo
Sapporo Central Wholesale Market Curb Market
A market where you can buy fresh Hokkaido products at reasonable prices.
The Sapporo Central Wholesale Market brings in fresh produce from all over Hokkaido every morning. The Curb Market is located adjacent to the outside of the market and is readily accessible to the general public and tourists. There are about 60 stores selling marine products, agricultural products, and restaurants. Seafood such as crabs and scallops, and fresh produce such as melons, potatoes, and corn are available for sale. You can buy them at reasonable prices.
- Address
- Kita 11 Nishi 21-23, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Telephone Number
- 011-621-7044
- Open
- 6:00-17:00 (varies by store)
- Closed
- Varies by store
Maruyama Park
Citizens' Park for Rest and Recreation
Maruyama Park is located on the north side of the Maruyama Primeval Forest, a natural monument. It is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Sapporo. The park is also home to a zoo, a baseball field, and tennis courts. The park is crowded with many citizens. The Hokkaido Jingu is also located next to the park.
- Address
- 3 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Telephone Number
- 011-621-0453
Hokkaido Jingu
Popular as a power spot in Hokkaido
Hokkaido Jingu is located next to Maruyama Park. Located in a lush green forest, the shrine attracts many visitors from all over Japan. There are three shrines within the precincts of the shrine, which enshrine figures who have contributed to the development of Hokkaido. The vast precincts of the temple cover an area.
- Address
- 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
- Telephone Number
- 011-611-0261
- Open
- (Summer) 6:00-17:00
(Winter) 7:00-16:00
(Prayer) 9:00-16:00 - Closed
- Open all year round
Ganso Ramen Yokocho Sapporo
Sapporo's must-visit gourmet spot
This spot is said to be the birthplace of Sapporo's gourmet food, "Sapporo Miso Ramen." Around 1951, there was a "Koraku Ramen Meitengai" in Sapporo City. The shopping street was crowded with stores and restaurants. As the ramen stores in them flourished, the stores in the shopping street were replaced one after another by ramen stores, and finally all of them became ramen stores. Today, the area is still full of famous stores that support the culture of Sapporo miso ramen.
- Address
- Minami 5-jo Nishi 3-6, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Sapporo Beer Museum
Enjoy limited-edition beers while tracing the history of Sapporo Beer
It is the only museum about beer in Japan. The brick building was built in 1890 as a sugar factory. This building is designated as a Hokkaido Heritage Site.
The museum introduces the history of Sapporo Beer, which developed along with the development of Hokkaido, and the history of the beer industry in Japan in an easy-to-understand manner through panels and other exhibits. Visitors who participate in the premium tour can sample limited-edition beer only available here.
- Address
- Inside Sapporo Garden Park, 9-1-1 Kita 7-jo Higashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo
- Telephone Number
- 011-748-1876
- Open
- 11:00-18:00 (last admission 17:30)
- Closed
- Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a holiday), The New year's holiday, and temporary closing days
[Goal] New Chitose Airport
There are flights from New Chitose Airport to various domestic destinations.
For details, please visit the Hokkaido Airports Co. Ltd. website.