Native name:
利尻島 Rishiri-tō | |
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  Rishiri
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| Geography | |
| Archipelago | Japanese archipelago |
| Area | 183 km2 (71 sq mi) |
| Length | 19 km (11.8 mi) |
| Width | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Coastline | 63 km (39.1 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,721 m (5646 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Rishiri |
| Administration | |
| Prefecture | Hokkaido |
| Subprefecture | Sōya Subprefecture |
| District | Rishiri District |
| Town | Rishiri Rishirifuji |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 5,102 (2013) |
| Pop. density | 30.81/km2 (79.8/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Ainu, Japanese |
Rishiri Island (利尻島, Rishiri-tō) is a volcanic island in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Administratively the island is part of Hokkaido Prefecture, and is divided between two towns, Rishiri and Rishirifuji. The island is formed by the cone-shaped extinct volcanic peak of Mount Rishiri.[1] Along with Rebun Island and the coastal area of the Sarobetsu Plain, Rishiri forms the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park. The main industries of Rishiri are tourism and fishing. The island is about 63 kilometres (39 mi) in circumference and covers 183 square kilometres (71 sq mi). The island has a population of 5,102 residents.[2][3][4][5]
Rishiri derives its name from the Ainu language, and means "high island", or "island with a high peak", a reference to the altitude of Mount Rishiri above sea level.[3][6]
Rishiri Island is located roughly 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Hokkaido; Rebun Island is a further 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the northwest. Rishiri is roughly circular with a coastline of 63 kilometres (39 mi). The island spans 19 kilometres (12 mi) from north to south and 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from east to west. Mount Rishiri rises to an altitude of 1,721 metres (5,646 ft) and provides a good source of fresh water; numerous small ponds and springs are located at the foot of the mountain.[3][7] The residents of Rishiri live in coastal communities, which are connected by a bus service that circumnavigates the island.[3]
The island has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports populations of black-tailed gulls and Japanese robins.[8]
| Climate data for Port Kutsugata, Rishiri, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1976–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 7.3 (45.1) |
7.4 (45.3) |
12.4 (54.3) |
19.3 (66.7) |
23.8 (74.8) |
28.6 (83.5) |
31.9 (89.4) |
32.5 (90.5) |
30.4 (86.7) |
21.8 (71.2) |
16.7 (62.1) |
12.1 (53.8) |
32.5 (90.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.8 (28.8) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
2.1 (35.8) |
7.6 (45.7) |
13.2 (55.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
21.4 (70.5) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
14.4 (57.9) |
6.7 (44.1) |
0.5 (32.9) |
10.3 (50.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4 (25) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
4.6 (40.3) |
9.6 (49.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
18.0 (64.4) |
19.9 (67.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
11.5 (52.7) |
4.0 (39.2) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
7.4 (45.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.4 (20.5) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
1.4 (34.5) |
6.1 (43.0) |
10.4 (50.7) |
14.9 (58.8) |
16.6 (61.9) |
13.5 (56.3) |
8.0 (46.4) |
1.2 (34.2) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
4.3 (39.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −15.7 (3.7) |
−16.9 (1.6) |
−14.4 (6.1) |
−6.4 (20.5) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
1.3 (34.3) |
5.5 (41.9) |
8.8 (47.8) |
5.4 (41.7) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−10.5 (13.1) |
−12.3 (9.9) |
−16.9 (1.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 46.4 (1.83) |
33.3 (1.31) |
34.8 (1.37) |
41.2 (1.62) |
68.4 (2.69) |
62.1 (2.44) |
93.8 (3.69) |
118.2 (4.65) |
117.9 (4.64) |
117.5 (4.63) |
106.5 (4.19) |
72.6 (2.86) |
912.7 (35.92) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 13.9 | 11.2 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 9.3 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 11.0 | 13.3 | 13.0 | 13.8 | 129.3 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 42.5 | 74.3 | 133.1 | 173.0 | 184.3 | 153.4 | 152.5 | 162.0 | 175.1 | 137.7 | 65.8 | 37.8 | 1,492.5 |
| Source 1: JMA[9] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: JMA[10] | |||||||||||||
The island is divided between two towns, Rishiri (population 2,304), on the south-west half of island and Rishirifuji (population 2,798) on the north-east half of island, both of which belong to Rishiri District, Sōya Subprefecture.[4][5]
These towns include the following communities, listed from the north side of the island, clockwise around:
A bus runs the circuit route around the island.
Rishiri Airport is located in Rishirifuji.
The economy of Rishiri Island formerly depended on the fishing of Pacific herring, but the herring stock is now mostly depleted. Rishiri Island is now noted for its production of dried kombu.[3][6]
Other features of Rishiri Island include:
Rishiri Island travel guide from Wikivoyage45°11′N 141°15′E / 45.183°N 141.250°E / 45.183; 141.250
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