HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hike & Kayak on Okushiri Island
Enjoy adventures with a unique flavor on Hokkaido's westernmost island. The experiences awaiting you include hiking, kayaking, and cycling
Hokkaido Tourism Organization
Okushiri is the westernmost island off the coast of Hokkaido, and has a long history of trade with Russia’s Far East territories. You’ll sense right away that Okushiri is different from the rest of Hokkaido, with its own distinctive culture and landscape. The island is known for its virgin beech forests, which have long contributed to and regenerated the natural cycle of life here.
In 1993, Okushiri was severely damaged by a massive tsunami caused by the Southwest-Off Hokkaido Earthquake. It took five years for the island to recover and return to normal life.
Okushiri offers exciting outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking, and biking in a corner of Japan that tourists rarely visit. Enjoy the beautiful coastline and the little fishing towns rebuilt after the tsunami. Explore the local food culture and taste fresh-caught seafood. An experienced local guide will teach you about the beech forests that support the island’s vitality. And at the end of Day 3, you can soak in Kamuiwaki Onsen, a unique hot spring that will rejuvenate you after all those adventures.
How to get there
Meeting point: Hakodate Airport. Domestic flights are available from Tokyo Haneda Airport (about 1 hour 20 minutes), Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya (about 1 hour 30 minutes), and Osaka International Airport in Itami (about 1 hour 35 minutes).
Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido
Okushiri Island, Hokkaido
