Rishiri / HokkaidoCamping, fishing, and hiking-get active on one of Hokkaido's remote islands

Book a stay in the heart of Rishiri's great outdoors at Rishiricho Forest Park campground. The campsite is located on the west coast of the island, just 1 kilometer south of the town of Rishiri. There are spots to pitch your own tent, or on-site log bungalows that you can reserve. English speaking staff bring down any language barrier and are happy to educate you on the island's geography and flora.

The cabins are available from the start of May to the end of October every year. Note that the cabins do not have power outlets. Keep a portable battery handy to recharge electrical devices, or engage in a digital detox.

Spend a day walking in the forest or wander along to Rishiri Town. In the evening, fire up some coals in the communal barbeque pits for some al fresco dining. Drop into the campground administrative building for more ideas on things to do and places to eat.

Tasting fresh sushi and sashimi is an essential Japanese travel experience, and it doesn't come much fresher - and luxurious - than plucking a sea urchin from the water and eating it on the seashore. In the summer months, between June and September, you can catch sea urchin, or uni, at Kamui Kaigan Park, south of Rishiri Town.

English-speaking staff guide you out to the shallows in a canoe and show you how to hook an uni from the seafloor. Learn how to prize open the spiky sea urchin and how best to consume it. Sea urchin has a creamy texture with a distinctive umami flavor, and is considered a delicacy.

Learn more about the contents of the ocean surrounding Rishiri Island by joining a kelp workshop. Kelp, or konbu, is an essential ingredient in some traditional dashi soup stocks, and this workshop is ideal for fans of Japanese cuisine.

In this 1,500-yen-workshop, you can learn about the practices of konbu farming and get the chance to customize your own strips of kelp to take home - the ultimate foodie souvenir.

Mt. Rishiri dominates the landscape on Rishiri Island. The conical volcano stands in the center of the island and draws comparisons to Mt. Fuji because of its shape. The trailhead that leads to the top begins at the Hokuroku Campground in the north of the island. From the top, spot the neighboring island of Rebun and as far as the Russian island of Sakhalin if the weather is good. Only take on the trek if you have some hiking experience - it's steep and rocky in places.

If you can't hike the trails, there is another way to explore the volcano and its vicinities. The Mt. Rishiri 16 Scenic Stamp Rally involves driving around the island to discover Mt. Rishiri's sixteen "faces" or viewpoints and collecting a "stamp" at each point. Pick up a 200-yen stamp sheet and map in Rishiri Town from the Rishiri Shima no Eki or the tourist information center inside the ferry terminal. It's a fun activity for families and an excellent way to see the whole island.

If you complete your stamp sheet, return with it to the purchase point to receive a small souvenir. Note that the stamp rally is suspended during the winter months (November to April).