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Islands · Hokkaido

Rebun Island

礼文島れぶんとうRebun-tō

Alpine flowers at sea level on Japan's northern edge

Rebun Island (Rebun-tō) lies in the Sea of Japan off the northern tip of Hokkaido, west of Wakkanai. Its cold, windy climate lets around 300 alpine plant species flower close to sea level in early summer, earning it the name 'island of flowers'.

Elevation: 490 mArea: 81 km²National park · 1974
National park: Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

Overview

Rebun lies in the Sea of Japan about 60 kilometres west of Wakkanai, next to the volcanic cone of Rishiri. The island is long and narrow, about 29 kilometres from north to south, with gentle grassy hills on the east side and steep cliffs on the west.

Because strong winds and cool summers keep trees from growing on much of the island, plants that elsewhere in Japan grow only above 2,000 metres flower here on meadows near the sea. From late May to August the island's slopes are covered with some 300 species, including the endemic Rebun atsumorisō, a lady's-slipper orchid, and the Rebun edelweiss.

The island's small population lives mainly from fishing – sea urchin, kelp and hokke (Atka mackerel) – and from summer tourism. Ferries link it with Wakkanai and Rishiri.

Landscape and formation

Unlike neighbouring Rishiri, Rebun is not a volcano but an uplifted block of old volcanic and sedimentary rocks eroded by wind and sea. The west coast is a line of cliffs, sea stacks and small coves such as Jizō-iwa, while the east coast is lower, with the ports of Kafuka and Funadomari. The northern tip ends at Cape Sukoton, facing the small island of Todo-jima.

Highlights

  • Momoiwa

    桃岩Momoiwa

    Dome-shaped rock above the south-west coast, surrounded by flower meadows and viewpoints.

  • Cape Sukoton

    スコトン岬Sukoton Misaki

    Northern tip of the island, looking out to Todo-jima and the open sea.

  • Cape Gorota

    ゴロタ岬Gorota Misaki

    Headland on the north-west coast with views along cliffs and beaches.

  • Rebun-dake

    礼文岳Rebun-dake

    The island's 490 m highest point, with views across to Rishiri.

  • Jizō-iwa

    地蔵岩Jizō-iwa

    Tall rock pillar on the west coast near Motochi, resembling hands pressed together in prayer.

Ecology

The island's flora includes arctic and alpine species that reached Hokkaido during the ice ages and survived here in the cool maritime climate. Several are endemic or rare, and the Rebun atsumorisō is protected as a nationally endangered species with guarded colonies. Seabirds nest on the western cliffs, and seals rest on rocks off the north coast.

Flora

  • Rebun atsumorisō

    レブンアツモリソウRebun atsumorisō

    Cream-coloured lady's-slipper orchid endemic to Rebun, flowering in late May and June.

  • Rebun usuyukisō

    レブンウスユキソウRebun usuyukisō

    The island's edelweiss, flowering in summer on the grassy slopes.

  • Rebun kozakura

    レブンコザクラRebun kozakura

    Pink primrose among the first flowers of the season.

Fauna

  • Sea urchin

    ウニuni

    Harvested in summer from boats with glass-bottomed boxes; a local speciality.

  • Spotted seals

    Seen on rocks off the northern coast, especially outside the summer season.

Culture

Archaeological sites show that Rebun was settled by Jōmon people and later by the Okhotsk culture, a seafaring people of the southern Sea of Okhotsk. The Funadomari site yielded thousands of shell beads and is among Hokkaido's most important Jōmon finds. The island's name comes from the Ainu repun shiri, 'island in the offing'.

  • Funadomari site

    船泊遺跡Funadomari iseki

    Late Jōmon settlement and burial site whose finds are designated Important Cultural Properties.

  • Hokke and kombu

    Grilled Atka mackerel and Rishiri kelp harvested around Rebun are the island's signature foods.

History

  1. c. 1500 BCE

    Late Jōmon people live at Funadomari on the north coast.

  2. 5th–10th century

    The Okhotsk culture occupies coastal sites on the island.

  3. Edo period

    Herring fishing grounds are established under the Matsumae domain's trading posts.

  4. 1974

    Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park is established.

Through the seasons

Spring

Snow melts in April; the first flowers appear in May.

Summer

Peak flowering from June to July; the only season when all trails and most services are open.

Autumn

Quieter, with late flowers fading in September; rougher seas.

Winter

Snowy and very windy; ferries may be cancelled and many facilities close.

Routes and trails

  • Momoiwa Observatory course

    Walk of about 6 km from near Kafuka over the flower meadows past Momoiwa to Cape Shiretoko.

  • Cape Sukoton–Cape Gorota course

    Coastal and ridge walk along the northern headlands.

  • Rebun-dake

    Round trip of about four hours to the island's highest point.

Practical notes

  • Ferries run from Wakkanai to Kafuka in about two hours, and between Rebun and Rishiri.
  • Some trails on the west coast are closed at times because of rockfalls; check with the town before setting out.
  • Do not pick or dig up plants; many are protected.
  • Weather changes quickly; bring wind and rain protection even in summer.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see flowers on Rebun?

From late May to August, with the greatest variety in June and July.

How do you get to Rebun Island?

By ferry from Wakkanai, about two hours, often combined with Rishiri Island.

Why do alpine plants grow at sea level on Rebun?

Cool summers and strong winds create conditions similar to high mountains, preventing trees and letting alpine species thrive low down.

What is the Rebun atsumorisō?

A lady's-slipper orchid found only on Rebun, protected as a nationally endangered species.

Related

Sources

  1. 1.利尻礼文サロベツ国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省
  2. 2.礼文町 (opens in a new tab) — 礼文町
  3. 3.全国都道府県市区町村別面積調（島面積） (opens in a new tab) — 国土地理院

Editorial team · Published: