Rishiri, town in Rishiri district, Hokkaido, Japan
Rishiri is a small island off the northern coast of Hokkaido with rugged mountains, forests, and rocky coastlines. Mount Rishiri rises above the landscape with a distinctive cone shape and is visible from many locations around the island.
The island was long inhabited by the Ainu people before coming under Japanese control during the Edo period. Today it is part of a national park shared with Rebun Island, protecting the ecological balance of the northern region.
The name Rishiri comes from the Ainu language and means "high land". Fishing villages line the shore, and sea urchin and kelp harvesting remain central to local life and food traditions today.
The island is best visited from June to August when the weather is mild and wildflowers bloom. Buses run along the coast but on limited schedules, so renting a bicycle or car allows more flexible exploration of the area.
The mountain is called Rishiri-Fuji because its cone shape resembles the famous Mount Fuji. Visitors can also participate in sea urchin harvesting in shallow coastal waters or join workshops on traditional kelp processing techniques.
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