Japan's northernmost Backcountry - Mt. Rishiri Backcountry Tour

The group will meet at Sapporo station at 7:00. After spending a short time getting to know each other, they start on their way to Rishiri island. Firstly, the group takes a train to Wakkanai station from Sapporo station at 7:30. Each of the participants will be responsible for taking their own lunch on the train. The train arrives at Wakkanai station at 12:42. The group will change transportation to ferry, departing from Wakkanai port to Oshidomari port at 13:55. The ferry arrives at Oshidomari port at 15:25, and the group finally lands on Rishiri Island. There will be a private bus to RERA MOSIR (accommodation facility) which is run by the backcountry guide.  Participants will then be free to prepare for the next day’s backcountry tour or enjoy hot springs for the rest of the day. The group will have a dinner at RERA MOSIR and enjoy local cuisine and meeting island locals at the same time.

The group will have breakfast at RERA MOSIR. Either Japanese or Western cuisine will be served, using fresh ingredients from the island.

At 8:00, the group and the backcountry guide, Mr. Watanabe, meet at RERA MOSIR. The group will board a private bus to the starting point of  the backcountry tour. The location and the course of the tour will be decided by the guide, depending on the condition of the weather,  participants, etc. The order of the backcountry tour is as follows:

・A snowmobile pulls you to the starting point of your climb.

・Climb on foot with snowshoes / ski skins

・Start descent under the direction of the guide.

・Drop off back at RERA MOSIR at about 16:00

(Duration: 6-8 hours)

Enjoy backcountry skiing on pristine trails in the northernmost part of Japan without the hustle and bustle of more known areas. Rishiri has an elevation of 1,700 meters. Due to the nature of the island, the backcountry skiing is enjoyed amidst the best scenery, which upon descent gives the feeling of descending right down to the sea. Through Mr. Watanabe, a specialist on Rishiri Island, and a native resident himself, the group will learn not only about backcountry skiing, but also about the history and nature of Rishiri Island. After the backcountry tour, the group will have a dinner at a local restaurant “和洋創咲いろは” and enjoy the interaction with locals.

The group bids farewell to their local guide at 8:30 a.m. and departs RERA MOSIR to board a ferry. The ferry departs Rishiri Island (Oshidomari Port) at 9:05 a.m. The ferry arrives at Wakkanai Port at 10:45. The train departs Wakkanai Station at 12:35, arriving at Asahikawa Station at 16:19. The group changes trains at Asahikawa Station and boards the 16:30 train bound for Sapporo Station, arriving at 17:55. The group disbands at Sapporo station bidding farewell to their tour guide, Mr. Aoki.

(Available to arrange a backup day depending on the weather conditions)