Hokkaido offers sights you can only encounter in Hokkaido. Interacting with its diverse nature is one of the true pleasures of traveling through this northern land. And when it comes to Rishiri and Rebun Islands, there are countless flowers that can truly only be seen "here"! Don't you think visiting these islands to meet these flowers is a wonderful reason for a trip?

Let's introduce some of the representative flowers that will greet you.

First, let's look at the flowers found on Rishiri Island. Rishiri Island is home to Mt. Rishiri, the island's symbol, and various flowers appear as you ascend the mountain. As it is a high mountain at a high latitude, there are precious flowers that are rarely seen on Japan's main island of Honshu.

There are also many flowers that are "endemic species to Rishiri Island," so it would be a shame to miss them! After all, a flower blooming at your feet during a hike could be one that grows nowhere else in Japan. Be sure to do some research beforehand so you don't miss your once-in-a-lifetime encounter with these flowers.

Botan-kinbaiso

For example, this vibrant golden-yellow flower. This is the "Botan-kinbaiso," an endemic species of Rishiri Island that blooms in the grasslands above the 8th station of Mt. Rishiri. Its name, which compares it to a peony (botan), comes from its numerous sepal "petals," which number between 9 and 16. Another characteristic is the red stamens in the center. The best time to see them is from late June to early August.

Rishiri-hinageshi

The "Rishiri-hinageshi" is another endemic species of Rishiri Island, found above the 8th station of Mt. Rishiri. It has a paler yellow color than the Botan-kinbaiso and grows to a height of about 10-20 cm. It is the only poppy native to Japan and is designated as Endangered (EN) on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List. The best time to see them is from late June to early August.

Rishiri-genge

Near the summit of Mt. Rishiri, you can find the "Rishiri-genge." It's amazing that such a delicate flower can bloom in a gravelly area covered with sand and small stone fragments, on a windswept landscape where even trees struggle to grow due to strong winds. The flowers are a pale, yellowish-white. The best time to see them is from late June to July.

Rishiri-ougi

This "Rishiri-ougi" also blooms in the gravelly areas near the summit, similar to the Rishiri-genge. It grows to a height of about 15-30 cm. While it looks a bit like the Rishiri-genge, a key difference is that the Rishiri-genge's flowers bloom facing upwards, while the Rishiri-ougi's flowers bloom facing downwards. The best time to see them is from July to August.

Rishiri-bushi

In the grasslands near the 9th station of Mt. Rishiri, you can see the "Rishiri-bushi," which has bluish-purple flowers. It is a variety of Aconitum sachalinense, but the Rishiri-bushi has larger flowers and more of them, giving it a more splendid appearance. However, be careful as it is a member of the Aconitum (monkshood) family and is poisonous. The best time to see them is from July to August.

These flowers can also be seen at the Alpine Plant Display Garden in Rishirifuji Town.