Domingo has introduced the charms of Rishiri Island and Rebun Island, the northernmost remote islands of Japan, from various angles. However, there are still many surprises and discoveries that are unique to the northernmost islands. So this time, we will focus on Rebun Island and provide a summary of the flowers, activities, souvenirs, food, etc. of Rebun Island that we have written about several times in the past, along with the charms that we have not been able to tell you about until now.

After reading this, you will definitely want to go to Rebun Island tomorrow! Let this be your travel inspiration!

First, let's get some basic information about Rebun Island. Rebun Island is the northernmost remote island in the Sea of Japan, located about 60km west of Wakkanai City. It is said to have been separated from the continent a long time ago, which is why it is a precious island with many miraculous natural features still remaining.

The name Rebun Island comes from the Ainu word "Repun-siri," which means "Okino-shima." Rebun Island is also known by the beautiful nickname "Floating Island of Flowers." As its name suggests, about 300 species of alpine plants bloom in full glory from spring to summer.

Furthermore, because it is the northernmost remote island, alpine plants can be seen at 0 meters above sea level, which is a major feature unique to this island. It is surprising that flowers that can only be seen by climbing high mountains in Honshu can be seen here, right on the coast.

There are also many flowers endemic to Rebun Island. The photo above shows the Rebun Lady's Slipper, an endemic species to Rebun Island. Doesn't it have a mysterious aura? There is a colony of Rebun Lady's Slipper in the northern part of the island, and the best time to see them is from late May to mid-June.

Meanwhile, the best time to see them is from early to late June: the Rebun buttercup. As the name suggests, this is also an endemic flower that grows only on Rebun Island. It was named after its appearance, which resembles a golden plum blossom. If you want to see this flower that is unique to Rebun Island, it's a must to check the flowering season in advance! It would be nice to plan your trip to coincide with the blooming of the flowers.

If you want to experience the nature of Rebun Island, including its flowers, trekking is the best option. In June 2022, a new challenge called "Rebun Island Trail Seven - Conquer all seven courses!" was launched, and many people have been participating.

There are 50km of nature trails on Rebun Island, with seven different trails to enjoy, each with its own unique charm. These include a fairy-tale-like course through flower fields, a course overlooking scenic views of the beautiful ocean and coastline, advanced courses such as the 8-hour course and the Rebun Falls course, and even beginners can enjoy the easy-going Lake Kushu course.

At Rebun Island Trail Seven, participants will receive gifts such as limited edition merchandise featuring the original character (Atsumon) depending on the number of trekking courses they walk, and participants who walk all of the courses will receive an original Rebun Island Trail Seven Complete Conquest T-shirt.

For example, if you want to visit the colony of Rebun Lady's Slipper mentioned above, we recommend the 12.4km long Cape Tour Course . This course starts at Cape Sukoton, the northernmost point of Rebun Island, and passes through Cape Gorota and Cape Sukai before heading to Hamanaka. You can enjoy the scenic spots in the northern part of the island, including the colony of Rebun Lady's Slipper.

For more advanced hikers, how about the Rebun Falls Course , a round trip of about 4km? This course connects the fork in the road 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 also enjoy the challenging experience of descending steep slopes on ropes and crossing streams. Make sure you are fully equipped and give it a try.

Trail Seven will finish at the end of October, but due to its popularity, it is likely to be continued next year and beyond. If you are visiting Rebun Island, this is definitely something you should include in your itinerary.

After your trekking, relax and soothe your tired body with a relaxing soak in the hot springs. There are accommodations on the island with hot springs, as well as hot spring facilities with a full range of facilities, including jacuzzis and sauna rooms. The natural hot springs are gentle on the skin and are sure to relax not only your body but your mind as well.

Well, one of the joys of traveling is, of course, the food! When it comes to local delicacies, especially the specialties of islands surrounded by the sea, expectations naturally rise. The most popular food on Rebun Island is sea urchin.

Sea urchin is delicious whether eaten as is or in a rice bowl, but at a cafe on the island, they also serve this unique dish. A luxurious Japanese-style omelet rice topped with sea urchin butter sauce! Perhaps it is because of the abundance of seafood that boldly arranged dishes are created. Of course, the taste is undeniably delicious!

Also, if you visit Rebun Island in the summer, we recommend timing your visit to coincide with festivals and events. For example, at the Umebeya Festival, a fishery festival, a huge gathering of delicious foods from Rebun Island is held! Seafood such as sea urchins, whelks, and octopus are grilled on a grill, and the fragrant smell fills the air. Combined with the festival atmosphere, you'll feel like you can eat as much as you want.

Delicious foods make great souvenirs. The most popular souvenir from Rebun Island is undoubtedly Rishiri kelp. You may wonder, "Why Rishiri kelp on Rebun Island?" In fact, Rishiri kelp does not only refer to kelp harvested on Rishiri Island, but also includes kelp harvested in the northern part of Hokkaido, such as Rebun Island and the Wakkanai region. Among them, we recommend the "Tororo kelp" which does not take up much space as a souvenir.

Sea urchin, one of the specialties of Rebun Island along with kelp, is also a popular souvenir. Bottled sea urchin is quite common, but canned sea urchin may be a little rare. Fishermen bring the sea urchins to land and carefully peel them one by one. It would be a shame to give them as souvenirs, so you might want to buy one for yourself!

What do you think? We hope you were able to feel the diverse charms of Rebun Island, including how to enjoy it and what it has to offer. The tourist seasons on Rebun Island are spring, summer, and fall. Using the information we have introduced so far as a reference, set goals for yourself, such as "I want to see this!" and "I want to do that!" and enjoy a fulfilling trip that only a remote island can offer.