Japan Guide
Hokkaidō
Rishiri-tō
The best reason to come to RISHIRI-TŌ, a circular island made up of the 1721-metre cone of Rishiri-san, is to hike up the volcano. The island is sometimes called Rishiri-Fuji because its shape resembles the famous southern volcano, but Westerners might find it looks more like a lone Swiss Alp. Even if the weather is unpromising, it's still worth making the ascent (which takes ten to twelve hours) to break through the clouds on the upper slopes and be rewarded with panoramic views from the summit.
The most straightforward route up the volcano starts some 3km south of the main port of Oshidomari, at the Rishiri Hokuroku campsite. Information and maps for the climb are available from the island's tourist information centre and climbing groups are occasionally organized by staff at the local youth hostel. Make sure you take plenty of water with you as there's none available on the mountain.