Rebun Island sits in the Japan Sea along with Rishiri Island off the northwest coast of Hokkaido and is only accessible by ship.

To get to the island take the ferry from Wakanai Port. From spring to autumn there are 4 roundtrip departures every day each taking about one hour and 55 minutes in each direction (going via Rishiri Island takes about two hours and 55 minutes).

From neighboring Rishiri Island between spring and autumn there are two to three departures a day from Oshidomari Port and in summer one roundtrip departure from Kutsugata Port (trips take between 40 and 45 minutes).

Rebun is a long and narrow island. It is best seen by driving leisurely and visiting places you would like to see. There are many rocky cliffs on the western side and places where there are no roads. For that reason it is not possible to drive completely around the island. Taking that into consideration we will present a course you can take around the northern part for a scenic drive that departs from the Kafukako Port ferry terminal.

It takes about 40 minutes to drive to Cape Sukai from the ferry terminal. Even with stops along the way you can make a roundtrip drive in half a day.

You can either take the ferry from Wakanai with your car or rent a car on the island. For this article we opted for renting a car which for three days and two nights cost about 36,000 yen (including the cost of gasoline). Prices vary depending on the rental agency, so it is best to compare them ahead of time.

If you do not have a driver’s license or are not comfortable driving, there is no need to worry. A sightseeing bus that stops at scenic spots, such as Cape Sukoton, departs regularly from the Kafukako ferry terminal.

So let’s begin our tour!

In less than 10 minutes after setting out on Highway 40 going north from the Kafukako ferry terminal the Minai Shrine in the Fukakai district will come into view on the right. Stopping here and getting out of the car, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Mt. Rishiri on neighboring Rishiri Island and that of the shrine.

The entrance is not on the side facing the road so you need to go around to the back where there is a door. On the day we visited the door was closed. The worship hall is the building behind the shrine on the side of the road. This is where Kamui and the Inari god were worshipped according to Ainu legend.

Driving another ten minutes along Highway 40 after leaving Mina Shrine you begin to head inland. Soon Lake Kusha will come into view on the left. Situated in the Funadomari district it is the only lake on Rebun Island and also the northernmost lake in Japan.

The lake is not that large, only about four kilometers in circumference, but there is a campground on the northern shore and paths for walking making it a popular leisure spot for Rebun Island residents. The sun reflects beautifully off the lake’s surface.

Driving further and after leaving the village in the Funadomari district you will next take Highway 507 going towards Cape Kanedano. It is about a 10-minute drive from Lake Kusha.

Two capes jut out from the northern part of Rebun Island like a pair of horns. One is Cape Sukoton and the other is Cape Kanedano. We pulled over into a small parking area to admire the broad expanse of ocean.

This is also a great spot for viewing seals. On the day we visited we could see a number of them sleeping on the reef at the base of Cape Kanedano!

We next returned to Highway 507 after leaving Cape Kanedano and headed toward Cape Sukoton going through the Funadomari district.

After about 10 minutes you can see the Edoya Sando sign and here you turn left to take that mountain road.

This road offers the most scenic views of the island. During the summer the hills are blanketed with blooming flowers and the Todo Island Observation deck along the way affords a spectacular view of a broad expanse of ocean.

After leaving the observation deck and reluctantly leaving the scenic views afforded from Edoya Sando we next ventured on to Cape Sukoton. This is the northernmost tip of Rebun Island. We parked the car and went down to its edge.

Standing on this northernmost spot is very moving. From here Todo Island appears even much closer than when viewed from the Todo Island Observation Deck.

Close to the parking area is a sign indicating that this is “the northernmost lavatory”. Using it is sure to be a conversation piece!

On our return, rather than taking the Edoya Sando we took Highway 507 towards Funadomari and after about 10 minutes turned right at the first curve. The entrance to the Rebun Lady’s Slipper Orchid Field (no admission fee) is located close by.

The Rebun lady’s slipper orchid is an indigenous alpine flower that only grows on Rebun Island. The blossoms appear soft and round.

The flowers normally bloom between the end of May and early June. A path through the trees is open only at this time, so if you visit then, you should definitely take it.

A few minutes away from the field of Rebun lady’s slipper orchids we come to the end of our drive: Cape Sukai located near a cove on the west coast.

We visited Isshi no Mise, one of the three shops, to take a break and discovered the Todo Kushi!

The mistress of the shop advised taking a photo, not for posting on SNS, but as a commemorative photo, so I ordered one of the meat skewers.

Todo Kushi is red sea lion meat that has been sweetly stewed and skewered. It has a firm texture and wild flavor that is most enjoyable. There are several other interesting items that can’t be found elsewhere which are definitely worth trying!

The shop also has stuffed sea lion toys and you are free to take photos in the shop such as the one shown below which you can post on SNS.

After having a light meal we walked up the stairs to Cape Sukai to catch a glimpse of the beautiful cove.

The water here is crystal clear and it is from this that the cape takes its name as the first character in Japanese, su, means “clear”, and the second, kai, means “ocean”. Viewed from above, it is possible to see the rocks on the seabed and the seaweed. Nearby alpine flowers bloom creating a sight so exquisite the area could just as easily be called “paradise of the far north”. It is the perfect ending spot of this drive.

This course offers a drive through unforgettable scenery just waiting for you!

Rebun Island is blessed with natural beauty and wherever you drive, you are met with breathtaking scenery you will long remember. The views are especially sublime during the early mornings and evenings when the colors are in transformation. Here you will be able to view scenes worthy of storing in the photo album of your heart!

Written by Fumi