Here at Domingo, we've introduced the charms of Rishiri and Rebun, Japan's northernmost remote islands, from various angles. But there are still many more surprises and discoveries unique to these northern isles. This time, we're focusing on Rebun Island, bringing together all the information we've shared in past articles about its flowers, activities, souvenirs, and food, along with new attractions we haven't covered yet.

After reading this, you'll be ready to pack your bags for Rebun Island tomorrow! We hope this inspires your next travel adventure.

First, let's cover the basics of Rebun Island. Located about 60 km west of Wakkanai City, Rebun is the northernmost remote island floating in the Sea of Japan. It is said to have been separated from the mainland long ago, which is why it remains a precious island with an abundance of miraculous nature still preserved today.

The name Rebun comes from the Ainu language phrase "Repun-shiri," which means "island in the open sea." Rebun Island is also known by the beautiful nickname, the "Floating Island of Flowers." True to its name, about 300 species of alpine plants bloom in profusion from spring to summer.

Furthermore, because it is the northernmost remote island, a major unique feature is that these alpine plants can be seen at sea level. It's astonishing that flowers you would normally have to climb high mountains to see on Honshu can be found right on the coast here.

There are also many plant species endemic to Rebun Island. The photo above shows the Rebun Atsumorisou (Cypripedium macranthos var. rebunense), a species unique to the island. Doesn't it have a mysterious aura? There is a colony of Rebun Atsumorisou in the northern part of the island, which is in full bloom from late May to mid-June.

Meanwhile, the Rebun Kinbaisou (Trollius riederianus var. rebunensis) is in bloom from early to late June. As its name suggests, this is also a species endemic to Rebun Island. It was named for its appearance, which resembles a golden plum blossom. If you want to see these unique flowers of Rebun Island, checking the blooming season in advance is a must! Planning your trip around the flower season sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

If you want to experience the nature of Rebun Island, including its flowers, trekking is highly recommended. Since June 2022, a renewed challenge event called "Rebun Island Trail Seven - Conquer All 7 Courses!" has been running, attracting many participants.

Rebun Island has about 50 km of nature trails, offering seven different courses with unique charms. You can enjoy a fairytale-like course through flower fields, a course with views of the beautiful sea and coastline, advanced courses like the 8-hour course and the Rebun Falls course, and even a course for beginners like the Lake Kushu Lakeside Course.

In the Rebun Island Trail Seven challenge, participants receive presents like limited-edition merchandise of the original character (Atsumon) based on the number of courses they complete. Those who complete all courses will also receive an original T-shirt for conquering the Rebun Island Trail Seven.

For example, if you want to visit the aforementioned Rebun Atsumorisou colony, the 12.4 km Cape Tour Course is recommended. This course takes you from Cape Sukoton, the northernmost point of Rebun Island, through Cape Gorota and Cape Sukai, to Hamanaka. You can enjoy the scenic spots of the northern part of the island, including the Rebun Atsumorisou colony.

For a more advanced challenge, how about the Rebun Falls Course, which is about 4 km round trip? This course connects a branch point on the Rebun Forest Road to Rebun Falls on the west coast. While admiring the alpine plants blooming on the slopes beside the route, you can have a challenging experience descending steep slopes using ropes and crossing streams. Be sure to come fully equipped for this adventure.

The Trail Seven event ends at the end of October, but due to its great popularity, it is highly likely to be planned again next year. It's definitely something to include in your itinerary when visiting Rebun Island.

After a tiring trek, soothe your body by soaking in a hot spring. The island has accommodations with hot springs, as well as well-equipped onsen facilities with jacuzzi baths and saunas. The skin-friendly natural hot springs are sure to relax not only your body but also your mind.

Now, one of the joys of travel is, of course, the food! When it comes to local delicacies, especially from an island surrounded by the sea, expectations are naturally high. The most popular food on Rebun Island is undoubtedly sea urchin (uni).

Sea urchin is delicious on its own or in a rice bowl, but a cafe on the island offers this unique twist. It's a luxurious dish of Japanese-style omurice topped with a sea urchin butter sauce! Perhaps it's because of the abundance of seafood that such bold culinary creations are born. And of course, the taste is absolutely delicious!

If you visit Rebun Island in the summer, it's also a great idea to time your trip with festivals and events. For example, at the fisheries festival called the "Umebeya Festival," all of Rebun Island's delicious foods are gathered in one place! Seafood like sea urchin, whelk, and octopus are grilled on the net, filling the air with a savory aroma. Combined with the festive atmosphere, you'll feel like you could eat forever.

Delicious food also makes for great souvenirs. The most popular souvenir from Rebun Island is, without a doubt, Rishiri Kombu (kelp). You might wonder, "Why Rishiri Kombu on Rebun Island?" In fact, "Rishiri Kombu" doesn't just refer to kelp harvested on Rishiri Island; it also includes kelp harvested in the northern Hokkaido region, such as on Rebun Island and in the Wakkanai area. For a souvenir, the less bulky "Tororo Kombu" (shaved kelp) is a great choice.

Along with kombu, sea urchin, another specialty of Rebun Island, is also a popular souvenir. While bottled sea urchin is common, canned sea urchin is a bit of a rarity. The sea urchin is harvested by fishermen and each one is carefully shelled. Hmm, it might be too good to give away as a souvenir—you might just want to buy it for yourself!

So, what did you think? We hope you've gotten a sense of the diverse charms of Rebun Island, including its many attractions and ways to have fun. The tourist season for Rebun Island is spring, summer, and autumn. Use the information we've provided to set your goals—"I want to see this!" or "I want to do that!"—and enjoy a fulfilling trip that only a remote island can offer.