Rishiri-Zan is a picture-perfect dormant volcano on the Island of Rishiri. Rishiri Island is located 40km west from the city of Wakkanai in northwest Hokkaido, Japan.

ROUTES

There are 2 routes to choose from. The Oshidomari Route begins in Oshidomari on the north side of the island. The Kutsukata Route begins in Kutsukata on the west side of the island. The Oshidomari Route is the most popular.

Getting There

BY TRAIN

From Sapporo
There are 3 trains a day direct from Sapporo to Wakkanai and 3 trains a day direct from Wakkanai to Sapporo. The journey takes 5 hours and costs 10,370yen. The ferry terminal in Wakkanai is a 5 minute walk from Wakkanai station.

Sapporo > Wakkanai
DEPARTURE TIMES [08:30] [12:37] [17:48]

Wakkanai > Sapporo
DEPARTURE TIMES [07:10] [13:45] [16:51]

BY CAR

From Sapporo

From Abashiri

From Wakkanai you must take a ferry to Rishiri Island. The ferry is operated by Heart Land Ferry. The journey costs 1,980yen one-way and takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Booking ahead is not essential. The times listed below are for the 2008 summer season from May 1st to September 30th.

Wakkanai > Rishiri Island
DEPARTURE TIMES [06:30] [07:50] [11:10] [15:30]

Rishiri Island > Wakkanai
DEPARTURE TIMES [08:40] [11:00] [16:00] [17:30]

Heart Land Ferry has an excellent English website. Be sure to check ferry times.

Getting To/From The Hike

If staying in Oshidomari and climbing Rishiri-Zan by the Oshidomari Route finding your way to the trailhead is straight forward. Follow the signs for Rishiri-Fuji Onsen and continue on past the onsen for 3km. The trailhead is at the end of the road.

KutsuKata > Oshidomari Ferry Terminal
DEPARTURE TIMES [06:45] [09:25] [11:50] [15:05] [16:35] [17:45]

If staying in Oshidomari but ascending by the Kutsukata route you first need to get yourself to Kutsukata. The bus times below are for Monday through to Saturday. On Sunday all bus times are the same EXCEPT the first bus leaves Oshidomari Ferry Terminal at 08:20.

Oshidomari Ferry Terminal > KutsuKata
DEPARTURE TIMES [07:45] [09:50] [11:40] [14:10] [17:20]

Caution

Places To Stay

WAKKANAI

Camping

Youth Hostel

There are 2 youth hostels in Wakkanai. The Wakkanai Youth Hostel is 3 minute walk from Wakkanai Station. A night costs 3300yen without meals.

Wakkanai Youth Hostel: 0162-23-7162

Wakkanai Moshiripa Youth Hostel: 0162-24-0180

RISHIRI ISLAND

Camping

A short walk from Oshidomari town centre is Rishiri Island Family Campground. Camping costs 500yen per person per night. The campground is right across the road from the excellent Rishiri Fuji Onsen making it an ideal location after a hard days hiking.

Youth Hostel

The Rishiri Green Hill Youth Hostel is the only youth hostel in Oshidomari. A 15 minute walk from the ferry terminal. A night costs 3360yen without meals.

Rishiri Green Hill Youth Hostel: 0163-82-2507

External Links

HEART LAND FERRY