Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

A fleeting early-summer sanctuary where Rebun Island’s rarest orchid quietly blooms.

Discover the ethereal beauty of the Rebun Lady’s Slipper, a rare orchid that blooms exclusively on Rebun Island. Open only for a short time each year, this hidden sanctuary offers a rare chance to encounter one of the world’s most elusive flowers in its natural habitat.

Located on Japan’s northernmost offshore island, the protected site is home to the Rebun Lady’s Slipper (Rebun Atsumorisou). Known as the “Queen of Orchids,” this alpine flower is admired for its cream-white, pouch-shaped petals and is often called the “White Fairy” of the North.

A crisp early-summer breeze carries the scent of the sea as delicate ivory blossoms rise from vivid green grass. Wooden boardwalks lead quietly through the habitat, allowing close observation while preserving the fragile environment.

Once facing extinction, the orchid survives today thanks to local conservation efforts. To protect its brief blooming season, the sanctuary is open only for a few weeks each year, typically from late May to mid-June.

Walking through the misty silence, accompanied by birdsong, visitors can experience a calm, soul-cleansing moment—an intimate encounter with the resilient beauty of life in the far north.