After the Australian group left Hokkaido we headed further up north to Rishiri & Rebun Islands off Wakkanai for research. Rishiri was so cycling friendly, it's a cyclist's paradise!The islands are part of Rishiri, Rebun, Sarobetsu National Park.
オーストラリア人を見送った後、利尻&礼文島へリサーチしに行ってきました。天気には恵まれなかったけれど、サイクリングは格別でした！
Wakkanai is the northen most city of Japan. Rishiri is a 2 hour ferry trip away from Wakkanai. It is possible to take bikes on board, we just walked in from the back of ferry and had a comfortable sea trip to the island.稚内からのフェリーには自転車を持って乗船。
What makes the island so special is the 25km of cycling road. The normal road goes all around the coast of island, which is about 60km including the cycling path. We allowed a whole day for cycling, with a plenty of time to stop and look around.周囲約60kmの島ですが、そのうちの約25kmはサイクリングロードになっています。道路脇のガードレールに自転車模様が入っていたり、自転車専用の駐輪所があったり、サイクリストにとてもフレンドリーな島です。
The cycling road was great, not only because there was no car, but also because there were a few bridges built high over deep gorges where normal roads for cars don't go near. There you have a great sea view on one side and forest view on the other.サイクリングロードは走りやすいだけではなく、景色も最高でした！フェリーのりばから内陸側に見える橋、写真はありませんが、あの山の中にそびえる橋は一般車両用の道路から離れていて、車窓からは見ることのできない景色も味わえます。自転車乗りの心をぐっとつかむような要素がいっぱい・・・本当にスペシャルなんです。
The view was great all day along while cycling. There was a section that goes through a flower field, and you always have sea and mountain views. Mt Rishiri, so called Rishiri-Fuji (as the shape resembles Japan's highest Mt Fuji) is located in the centre of island and is always in your sight. (It's hidden in clouds on the above photo...)お花畑がしばらく続き、海、山が一日中視界にあります。島一周すれば利尻岳を360度から見渡せます。
You can also hike up to Mt Rishiri, it takes a day to complete the whole hike. We didn't have enough time to walk all the way up to the top but walked to a look-out point called "Pon" hill.利尻岳、風が強く、時間もあまりなかったので、途中までしか登れませんでしたが、帰り道に大ポン山へサイドトリップ。
The view from Pon. 短時間で登れて景色もよく、サイクリングと組み合わせるのもいいかも。
We also went to a neighbour island Rebun Island. It's about an hour ferry trip from Rishiri Island. Again the weather wasn't great but we enjoyed a half day hike. There is an 8 hour walking track which starts from the north top and finishes at the south end. By walking the track you will see everything of the island, flowers, forests and ocean. If Rishiri is for cycling, Rebun is for hiking!Cycling in east Hokkaido is great but this area is as good as Shiretoko... Well I personally like the islands better as there are less people! I'm looking forward to going back there, with a group of cyclists next time!
日帰りで礼文島にも行ってきました。礼文島では半日ちょっとしか時間がなかったので、香深井あたりから西海岸へ渡るコースを歩きました。次回はスコトン岬からずっと島を南下する8時間コースを歩くのも良さそうです。今回は天気があまり良くなかったので、またリベンジしたいです、ってまた遊びに行くための言い訳みたいですが、でもこれは外国人向けにツアーを組んだら楽しそうです。日本最北の島のサイクリングツアー、楽しみです！
