Rishiri Island

On Rishiri, the big hike is the grueling climb to the peak of Rishiri-zan. There are two approaches, starting from either the north or the west. You can go up one and down the other or in-and-out the same way. Get supplies in town before heading out. Starting from Oshidomari in the north, walk, bus, or taxi to the Rishiri Hokuroku-yaei-jo campground. If you start after 09:00, the campground workers will give you a map and ask you to sign their hiking book. After several hundred yards, you reach the Kanronsen Spring. This is your last chance to get water, so get a lot (perhaps 3 liters). The trail gradually winds its way upward. There are a few outhouses along the way, and also an unmanned emergency-use cabin. Closer to the top, the trees get smaller and you walk up an exposed ridgeline. In the sun, this section gets hot and dry. In bad weather this section could be very dangerous, so bring appropriate gear and go down if the weather gets bad. Several minutes below the peak, the western trail forks off to the side. Continue to the summit, and you'll find a small shrine. Speed hikers have done round-trip hikes on the northern path in 6 hours, though most people take 8-10 hours.