Rishiri and Rebun Islands are known as Japan's northernmost islands. In summer, festivals are held and the whole island gets into a festive mood. Why don't you participate in one of these festivals? In this issue, we will introduce a number of festivals unique to the remote islands, as well as other fun and popular souvenirs!

First, let us introduce some festivals on Rishiri Island! Rishirifuji Town will hold "Hokkai Island Festival," a big summer event on Rishiri Island, from August 3 (Wed.) to 4 (Thu.) On the 3rd, there will be a special venue near Umi-no-Eki Oshidomari (Oshidomari Ferry Terminal) with many gourmet foods such as sea urchin bowl and grilled seafood! Specialty products will be on sale at bargain prices on this day, so be sure to pick up a bargain!

On the 4th, a fireworks display will be held at the Oshidomari Port to light up the night sky! Starting with the Hokkaijima Festival, the whole island will be in a festive mood for the "Rishiri Ukishima Festival" to be held in Rishiri Town on August 5 (Fri.) and 6 (Sat.).

The Rishiri Ukishima Festival will be held in the Kutsugata district on August 5 and in the Senboshi district on August 6. You have no choice but to participate on both days! Please note that the festival will be held under countermeasures against new coronavirus infection, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

And on Sunday, August 28, "Rishiri Round-the-Island Fureai Cycling" will be held.

The event is a bicycle ride around Rishiri Island, connecting the cycling road (25km) and the public road (35km). It is a popular event, and many participants have so far cycled through the great nature of Rishiri Island to reach the goal, a hot spring resort. Participation is free of charge, with a prize and a subsidized ferry fare for cyclists (return trip), so please join us!

And on Rebun Island, the Fisheries Festival will be held on Saturday, July 23, from 11:00 to 14:00. This is also called "Umebuya Festival", and as the name suggests, a large gathering of delicious foods of Rebun Island will be held! You can't help but notice what to eat: grilled sea urchin, grilled crushed sea urchin, grilled octopus, shrimp miso soup, and much more.

There are also free activities such as sea urchin peeling and hokke tasting. The sea urchin peeling experience, limited to the first 100 visitors, is especially popular, so be sure to arrive early!

In addition, the biggest event on Rebun Island, "Rebun Furusato Festival" is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, August 10, and stalls will be set up at a special site.

The festival will be held on August 10 (Wed.), and the special venue will be lined with stalls, where you can taste Rebun Island's specialties and drink delicious drinks. A fireworks display is also planned, so many islanders are looking forward to it. However, the events on Rishiri and Rebun Islands introduced here may be subject to change depending on the infection status of the new coronavirus. Please check the official websites of each municipality frequently for the latest information.

Souvenirs are an essential part of any trip to Rishiri Island. When it comes to Rishiri Island's specialty, Rishiri kelp is probably the first thing that comes to everyone's mind. In fact, Rishiri kelp is not only from Rishiri Island, but also from northern Hokkaido, including Rebun Island and Wakkanai area. However, Rishiri kelp-related products are still popular as souvenirs from Rishiri Island.

Of course, Rishiri kelp itself reigns unchallenged as the number one souvenir. In addition, dried noodles kneaded with Rishiri kelp, soup curry using Rishiri kelp, and other products that allow you to taste the broth unique to high-grade kelp will be appreciated as souvenirs. It is likely that many people buy these products for themselves. Rishiri Ramen Ajiraku" instant noodles, which have been introduced in numerous media outlets, are also very popular!

Rishiri Island is also home to cute yurukyaras, and a variety of original goods are on sale. First of all, "Rippu-kun" and "Rippu-chan" from Rishirifuji Town are characters based on the motif of chipmunks that live in Mt. Rippu-kun and Rippu-chan are said to be brothers. And you already know what the motif of "Rishirin" from Rishiri Town is, don't you? Rishiri kelp has become a character with a mysterious and cute charm. The unique local character goods are sure to be a fun souvenir.

Also, original products are quite popular at the store of Ryokan Tanakaya Hinageshikan. The colorful and cute Mt. Rishiri goods, such as "Mt. Rishiri outdoor socks" and "Rishiri tenugui hand towel," are eye-catching. They are soft to the touch, and couples and families may want to buy them together!

On the other hand, the most popular souvenir on Rebun Island is Rishiri kelp itself. Rishiri kelp, which has been battered by rough seas along the coast, has an elegant and rich soup stock that cannot be replaced by anything else. Tororo kelp, which makes it easier to taste such Rishiri kelp, would also make a good souvenir. The package is clearly labeled "Rebun Island!

Along with Rishiri kelp, sea urchins are another specialty of Rebun Island. In addition to fresh sea urchins, frozen sea urchins, bottled sea urchins, and other various processed sea urchins are available as souvenirs, but we also recommend the slightly unusual canned sea urchins. The island's fishermen land the sea urchins and carefully remove the shells one by one, making each bite a delightful experience. You may have a hard time deciding which to buy, the purple sea urchin or the buffoon sea urchin.

Among the abundance of seafood and processed seafood products, you will often see processed Hokke. Open hokke, smoked hokke, and anna-hokke are some of the most popular products in Hokkaido. On both Rishiri and Rebun islands, while there are many things to buy as souvenirs, there are also so many things to buy for yourself that you may end up buying too many. When you return home at the end of your trip, it will be fun to relive the memories of the fun you had by tasting the local specialties you brought back home with you.