Rishiri Island

Rishiri

Native name: 利尻島, Rishiri-tō
Rishiri Island
Rishiri Island (Japan)
Geography
Archipelago	Japanese archipelago
Area	183 km2 (70.7 sq mi)
Coastline	63 km (39.1 mi)
Highest elevation	1,721 m (5,646 ft)
Highest point	Mount Rishiri
Country
Japan
Prefectures	Hokkaidō
Subprefectures	Sōya
District	Rishiri
Demographics
Population	5638
Density	30.81 /km2 (79.8 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Ainu, Japanese

Rishiri Island (in background)

Von Karman vortices being formed by the peak of Mount Rishiri in April 2001.

Rishiri Island (利尻島, Rishiri-tō) rises out of the Sea of Japan off the coast of Hokkaidō, Japan. The island is formed by the cone-shaped extinct volcanic peak of Mount Rishiri. Along with Rebun and the coastal area of Sarobetsu, Rishiri forms the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. The main industries of Rishiri are tourism and fishing. The island is about 63 km in circumference and covers 183 km².

Other features of Rishiri Island include:

• Cape Peshi on the East side of the port Oshidomari
• Cape Senhoshi
  • Neguma (Sleeping Bear) Rock
• Jimmen Rock
• Ponmoshiri Island
• Hime Marsh
• Menūshoro Marsh
• Otatomari Marsh

Communities

The island and its communities belong to the Rishiri District and Rishirifujiin Sōya Subprefecture. The districts consist of the towns of the same name:

• Rishiri Town
• Rishirifuji Town

These towns include the following communities, listed from the North side of the island, clockwise around:

• Oshidomari
• Himenuma
• Oniwaki
• Numaura
• Misaki, Rishiri
• Senposhi
• Kusure
• Randomari
• Kutsugata
• Shinminato, Rishiri
• Motodomari

Transportation

• Ferry service to Rebun, Wakkanai, and Otaru
• Air link to Wakkanai

A bus runs the circuit route around the island.

Rishiri Airport is located in Rishirifuji.

History

• Ranald MacDonald landed on Rishiri in 1848.

External links

• Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park travel guide from Wikitravel