8 DAYS NORTH HOKKADIO PRIVATE TOUR

Rebun Island is located 60 kilometers west of Wakkanai City, and is the northernmost island in the Sea of Japan. There are about 300 species of alpine plants in the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park, which is also known as the “Island of Flowers.” Here, you can enjoy delicacies such as sea urchin or flounder, as well as activities like mountain climbing and hiking.Kita no Canary Park - The park utilizes the filming location of the 2012 movie “A Chorus of Angels.” The main facility is the “Reitan Elementary School Cape Branch,” which was built for the movie. Inside the school building, you can enjoy displays of photos and costumes from the filming, as well as a virtual mannequin of the lead actress, Sayuri Yoshinaga. Additionally, one of the highlights is the breathtaking view of Rishiri Island, which appears to be floating on the sea, as seen from the park.Rishiri Island is located west of Wakkanai at the northernmost tip of Japan, across the Rishiri Strait from the Sarobetsu Plain. This island is circular, about 20 kilometers from the coast of Hokkaido, with a diameter of 63 kilometers. Mount Rishiri (1,721 meters) is the symbol of Rishiri Island; it is a beautiful conical mountain, also known as “Rishiri Fuji.”Located at the tip of Kutsugata, this popular spot offers views of Mount Rishiri and Rebun Island. Around the unique lava rocks, you can see coastal plants such as black lilies (around May), Ezo daylilies and beach roses (around June), and Chishima cranesbill (around July), depending on the season. It is also a popular spot for locals to watch the sunset. The park includes a campsite and a mini visitor center. There is also a monument to the lyricist Shigure Otoha, who was born in Rishiri Town. Because of the lyrics “don to don to don to ride over the waves” in his song “Deshū no Minato,” locals call this place “Don to Cape.” Himenuma - A mystical artificial lake surrounded by dense virgin forests, approximately 800 meters in circumference. It is known for the beautiful reflection of “Upside-down Rishiri Fuji” on its surface. The lakeside forest, home to wild birds, features a walking path that takes about 20 minutes to circle, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely walk while listening to the birds’ chirping. Nearby shops sell coffee made with spring water from Mount Rishiri, making it a great spot for a break during your walk.Shiroi Koibito Hill - It is said that the snowy mountain of Mount Rishiri depicted on the packaging of Hokkaido’s famous confection “Shiroi Koibito” can be viewed from this area. If you propose here and take a photo, you can bring it to the Rishirifuji Town Tourism Association to receive an official “Proposal Certificate” from Ishiya Confectionery. 

 Otatomari Marsh - Located in the southeast of the island, it is the largest lake on Rishiri Island. This beautiful pond is surrounded by the northernmost primeval forest of Akaezomatsu in Japan and is popular for its view of Rishiri Fuji in the distance. There is a walking path around the pond that takes about 30 minutes to complete, and from June to July, the irises bloom beautifully along the lakeshore. Minamihama Wetland - Including Menushoro Pond at an altitude of about 5 meters, it is the largest raised bog on Rishiri Island, rich in sphagnum moss. Surrounded by Akaezomatsu forests, visitors can enjoy many flowers along the walking paths. The starry sky viewed together with Mount Rishiri is also a popular photography spot.Senposhi Misaki Park is located at the southernmost tip of the island, featuring rugged lava coastlines and the beautiful ridgeline of Mount Rishiri, along with clear views of the sea. You can clearly see natural kelp and sea urchins in the water. There are several souvenir shops in front of the parking lot and within the park, making it a great spot to leisurely shop for souvenirs. Wakkanai Fukuko Market - This is a multi-purpose facility featuring restaurants where you can enjoy seafood and local gourmet dishes, shops selling fresh seafood and various Hokkaido souvenirs, and hot springs. The facility also includes the “Minato Gallery,” which recreates the old streets of Wakkanai City, and the “Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall,” which introduces the lives of the people of Karafuto. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, dining, soaking in hot springs, and learning. It is also registered as the “Wakkanai Sea Station.” 

Cape Noshappu is located at the westernmost tip of Wakkanai, jutting out into the Soya Strait, offering views of Mount Rishiri and the silhouette of Rebun Island. The name “Noshappu” comes from the Ainu language, meaning “a place where the cape juts out like a chin” and “a place where waves break.” Known for its beautiful sunsets, the entire sea turns orange, and the silhouette of Mount Rishiri emerges, creating a breathtaking view. The area is also home to the Wakkanai City Noshappu Cold Current Aquarium, the Youth Science Museum, and several souvenir shops, making it a place full of attractions.

At the heart of the Sarobetsu Plain lies the“Sarobetsu Wetland,”one of Japan’s three largest wetlands, spanning 6,000 hectares. While driving along Route 444, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery, but the recommended spot is the Sarobetsu Wetland Center at the entrance of the wetland. There is a well-maintained 1-kilometer boardwalk where you can enjoy various wetland plants and birds up close from spring to autumn. On clear days, you can see Mount Rishiri beyond the vast expanse of the wetland, offering a breathtaking view. The rest house’s specialty, “imomochi” (potato cakes), is also delicious and best enjoyed with the local specialty, Toyotomi milk. Horonobe Reindeer Tourist Farm - There are many theme parks across the country, but this is the only one specializing in reindeer. About 45 second and third-generation reindeer born in Horonobe from Finland live here. The management building offers free Santa costume rentals, allowing you to walk around the spacious park feeling like Santa, feed the reindeer by hand, and take commemorative photos together. Every year from May to June, baby reindeer are born, so if you are lucky, you might meet some adorable babies.  

Former Hanadake Banya - The largest herring fishing house in Hokkaido, where you can trace back to the prosperous past due to herring fishing.Kunimare Sake Brewery - The northernmost brewery in Japan, located in Mashike Town, which flourished as a port city during the Edo period. Benefiting from the area’s pristine water and cold climate, the famous brand sake “Hokkai Onikoroshi” has a rich flavor, embodying the essence of Japanese sake. Visitors can tour the brewery and enjoy free tastings of 16 different types of sake. The brewery also sells sweets and specialty foods made with sake lees, as well as limited-edition local sake products. 

 “The Kan Yasuda Sculpture Museum Arte Piazza Bibai” is an outdoor sculpture museum continuously created by the city of Bibai and the world-renowned local sculptor Kan Yasuda. The expansive grounds, centered around a former elementary school site, feature over 40 sculptures. The modern sculptures made of marble and bronze harmonize deeply with the surrounding trees and clear streams, captivating visitors. The wooden school building’s first floor is used as Bibai City Sakae Kindergarten. The second floor retains classrooms reminiscent of the past, now serving as a gallery displaying sculptures. The old gymnasium, reborn as an art hall, and the outdoor marble stone stage host concerts, dances, and lectures. This is a spot worth visiting multiple times, where one can simultaneously enjoy the ever-changing nature and art throughout the seasons and times of the day.