Rishiri and Rebun: Adding Japan's Northern Islands to a Group Programme

Most Hokkaido group programmes stay in the south and centre of the island. Rishiri and Rebun sit at the other end, beyond Wakkanai, and they suit agencies selling walkers, nature groups and repeat Japan clients who have already seen Sapporo and Furano. Our Japan team covers the ferry change and the season in its Rishiri and Rebun note. This page is for agencies deciding whether the islands belong in a summer programme.

What Makes Rishiri and Rebun Different?

• A national park. Both islands are part of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park, designated in 1974.
• Two contrasting islands. Rishiri is almost entirely one mountain, Mount Rishiri, rising out of the sea. Rebun is lower and windswept, and known for the alpine flowers that cover its hills in early summer.
• A short season. The islands are an early-summer and summer product. Winter services are reduced.

How Is the Ferry Changing?

• A new ship from 2027. On 26 February 2026, Heartland Ferry announced that it will build a new ship for its Wakkanai, Rishiri and Rebun routes, aiming to put it into service in early spring 2027.
• What it replaces. The new ship replaces Boreas Soya, in service since August 2003. It is the same type as Amapola Soya and adds a children's room and new private cabins.
• Timetables still vary. Sailings change by season, so we confirm them for each travel date rather than quoting a fixed pattern.

How Should Agencies Plan a Group on the Islands?

• Two nights. We suggest one night on each island, linked by the inter-island ferry.
• Small inns. Island accommodation is limited, so we book rooms early and split larger groups across two inns where needed.
• Walks matched to the group. Rebun's flower trails range from short walks to full-day hikes.
• A weather day. Fog and wind can stop the ferries, so we keep a buffer day before flights home from Wakkanai.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do groups reach Rishiri and Rebun?

By ferry from Wakkanai, at the northern tip of Hokkaido. Heartland Ferry runs the routes from Wakkanai to both islands and between the two islands.

When should agencies sell Rishiri and Rebun?

In early summer and summer, when Rebun's alpine flowers bloom and the walking trails are open. Services are reduced in winter.

Is a new ferry coming into service?

Yes. Heartland Ferry plans to bring a new ship onto the routes in early spring 2027, replacing Boreas Soya.

How many nights should a programme allow?

Two nights, one on each island, plus a buffer day before the flight home from Wakkanai in case fog or wind cancels the ferries.

Sources: Heartland Ferry announcement, 26 February 2026 (Japanese PDF) and JNTO National Parks of Japan: Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu.

Where Explera Fits

Our Japan team books ferry space and island inns early, matches walks to each group, and builds the weather day into the programme.

Write to b2b@explera.jp or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).