Visiting islands in Hokkaido

Rishiri island & Rebun island, Northernmost of Hokkaido

Rishiri: A volcanic island like Mt Fuji

Highly recommended island. You can climb Mt. Rishiri for a long one day trip.
It is actually one of the highlight of Hokkaido!

There are good bike path in northern part of this island.

Rebun: An island of flowers

Rebun island make a beautiful contrast with Rishiri island. It is relatively low and long.
Eastern coast has good trekking course called Hachijikan Kousu means it takes 8 hours.
Mt Rebun is only 490m high, however highly recommended.

Ferry

between Wakkanai, Hokkaido and Oshidomari, Rishiri island

between Wakkanai, Hokkaido and Kabuka, Rebun island

between Oshidomari, Rishiri island and Kabuka, Rebun island

between Kutsugata, Rishiri island and Kabuka, Rebun island

Higashinihonkai Ferry[J]>Rishiri Rebun[J]>Time table[J]

Okushiri island, west of Hokkaido

Restored island

This island was strongly damaged by Tsunami:A seismic sea wave in 1993. 219 people was killed or not found...

But now it is 100% restored. You can see giant embankment along the sea line now.Which stands as high as the sorrow.

Hiyama[J] > about the earthquake[J]

Ferry

between Setana, Hokkaido and Okushiri island

between Esashi, Hokkaido and Okushiri island

Higashinihonkai Ferry[J]>Okushiri[J]>Time table[J]

Teuri island & Yagishiri island, northern west of Hokkaido

Secret islands

Not many tourist visit these tiny islands. However, it is special as well. Specially east coast of Teuri island is beautiful!
Even it is small island, you can enjoy slow and quiet cycling very well. Both islands are famous as watching seabird

Haboro Y.H. has a page about this islands(in Japanese). You can see some pictures
Haboro Y.H.> About these islands[J]

Ferry

between Haboro, Hokkaido and Teuri island

between Haboro, Hokkaido and Yagishiri island

between Teuri island and Yagishiri island

Other islands in the ocean

No any passenger regular boats to other islands.

Maybe you can hire a fisherman's boat to other smaller islands.

Toshima Ooshima/Kojima

Small uninhabited islands. Western most of Hokkaido.This island is far from Hokkaido, so it must be not easy. Maybe you can see them from the ferry to Niigata or Route 228.

Kunashiri island, Etorohu island,Shikotan islands

Even though Japanese Government ague those are belong to Japan, actually Russia occupy theses islands.
Therefore, it is impossible to visit these islands.
Since 1991, the framework was established for mutual visits without passports or visas between Japanese citizens and the current Russian residents of the Northern Territories. However, it is not for tourists, so even for us, it is almost impossible to go.

You can see Kunashiri is. from Shiretoko Peninsula.

Todo-jima

Very small uninhabited island North of Rebun island.
There are no regular boats. Maybe you can charter it for a group(5 person).

Other islands in the lakes

Nakajima in Lake Tohya

Famous as a volcanic activity. In mar. 2000 , there were some eruptions, you can visit to see some damaged places, now.
You can visit easily by boats.
This place is also famous as fireworks everyday! since 28th,April to end of Oct.

Nakanoshima in Lake Shikotsu

No regular service available. But you don't have to disappointed!
You can visit by canoe in summer, and you can also visit by ski in winter!!

Kamishu island in Lake Mashu

It is prohibited to visit here. Even by canoe, it is not allowed!
Here is a really sanctuary for gods and wild life. Thank you for your understanding.