Mt. Rishiri

Mt. Rishiri rises 1,721 meters directly from the Sea of Japan, forming the entire island of Rishiri off the northern tip of Hokkaido. The dormant volcano's near-perfect conical silhouette is so striking that it graces the packaging of Shiroi Koibito, Hokkaido's most famous souvenir cookie. The summit hike takes 10-12 hours round trip and rewards climbers with panoramic views of Rebun Island and the Sarobetsu wetlands on the Hokkaido mainland. In summer, alpine wildflowers carpet the lower slopes, while the coastal roads offer gentle cycling routes past fishing villages and kelp-drying racks. The island's kombu (kelp) and uni (sea urchin) are considered among the finest in Japan.