Journeys in Japan - 2012/08/21 - Rebun, A Floating Garden

Aug. 21, Tue.
Rebun: A Floating Garden

Enjoying flowers

Island's home-style cooking

Sukoton cape, island's northern tip

This edition of "journeys in japan" features Rebun Island, in the northern end of the Sea of Japan. Our traveler, John Matthews, first crosses to Rebun from neighboring Rishiri Island on Japan's northernmost ferry line.
Rebun Island is known for its colorful summertime flowers, earning it the nickname "the floating island of flowers." Many of them are alpine plants normally found only in high elevation areas. In Rebun, they thrive on relatively flat terrain-around 200 meters above sea level. During the summer months, the island becomes crowded with tourists who enjoy strolling amidst the flowers.

Walking trails
To protect the precious flora, Rebun's five walking trails have wooden planks and guardrails. Tour guides on the island are knowledgeable about the flowers.
For more information on the flower-viewing trails and general tourist information, visit the Rebun Island Tourist Association website.
http://www.rebun-island.jp/en/index.html (English)

Accommodation and food
Rebun, which originally prospered with fisheries, still has a vibrant fishing culture. The island's inns and small hotels serve locally caught, fresh seafood. You can expect dishes that use fresh catch such as sea urchin, which is a delicacy in Japan.
Please visit the website of Rebun Island's association of inns for more information:
http://www.rebun-staynavi.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Archaeological sites
Rebun Island is considered to be the northernmost limit of an ancient Japanese culture known as the Jomon. Many archaeological sites from the Jomon period have been found across the island. Thanks to the cool climate and the calcium-rich sand in coastal areas, artifacts have been well preserved. A history museum near Kafuka Port exhibits excavated items.

History museum
Open from May 1 to November 30 (closed on Mondays)
Admission: 300 yen (adults); 150 yen (elementary and junior high school students)
http://academic1.plala.or.jp/reikyoi/shisetu-shiryou.htm (in Japanese only)

Traveler: John Matthews
Walking across the green hills of Rebun felt very much like paradise, like I'd left Japan entirely. Even for a flower-illiterate person like me, it was impossible not to appreciate how varied and gorgeous they were. That said, being there reminded me that we are very much still ruled by nature, not the other way around. The stunning beauty of summer transforms into a harsh winter, cutting the people of Rebun off from the outside world entirely; it's a scary thought, really. Standing on the top of a hill and being surrounded by the ocean only reinforces that fact, even if it somehow provides a small sense of freedom. Still, its rich history and natural phenomena give me the feeling that there's much more to be discovered on this little island.
Access Map

Access:
Rebun Island is accessible by ferry from Wakkanai in Hokkaido. It takes about 2 hours.
Ferry operator: Heart Land Ferry
http://www.heartlandferry.jp/english/index.html
(Information available in English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean and Russian)

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