Mount Rishiri

Mount Rishiri (利尻山, Rishiri-zan) is a Quaternary[2] stratovolcano located off the coast of Hokkaidō, Japan in the Sea of Japan. It rises out of the Sea of Japan forming Rishiri Island. Because its cone shape resembles Mount Fuji it is sometimes referred to as Rishiri Fuji. It is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan.

Mount Rishiri
Mount Rishiri seen from the Otadomari-numa viewpoint
Highest point
Elevation	1,721 m (5,646 ft) [1]
Prominence	1,721 m (5,646 ft) [1]
Listing	Ultra List of mountains and hills of Japan by height List of the 100 famous mountains in Japan List of volcanoes in Japan
Coordinates	45°10′48″N 141°14′21″E [1]
Naming
Native name	利尻山  (Japanese)
Geography
Mount Rishiri Japan
Location	Hokkaidō, Japan
Parent range	Rishiri Island
Topo map	Geographical Survey Institute 25000:1 鴛泊 25000:1 雄忠志内 50000:1
Geology
Age of rock	Late Pleistocene
Mountain type	Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt	Sakhalin Island Arc
Last eruption	5830 BC ± 300 years
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Mount Rishiri's opening festival is held annually on July 2 and July 3. This festival officially opens the climbing season.[3]

Geology

Mount Rishiri is made up of alkali and non-alkali mafic volcanic rock dating from the Late Pleistocene, 130,000–18,000 years ago. Otherwise it is covered in Quaternary volcanic rock debris.[2]

Climbing route

The ascent of Rishiri is not suitable for novice hikers, because it is challenging in places. There is a campsite partway up the mountain from the dock, and an unmanned hut located a short distance below the summit. There is also a small shrine at the summit. On clear days the view extends to Hokkaidō, the adjacent island of Rebun, and as far as Sakhalin Island in Russia.

In popular culture

The package of Shiroi Koibito includes a picture of Mount Rishiri arranged in the centre.

Gallery

• 
  Rishiri Island
• 
  Mount Rishiri view from Oshidomari Port
• 
  The summit of Mt. Rishiri taken from just below

References

1. "Japan Ultra-Prominences". Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
2. "Seamless Digital Geological Map of Japan". The Geological Survey of Japan. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. 2 November 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
3. Hunt, Paul (1988). Hiking in Japan: An Adventurer's Guide to the Mountain Trails (First ed.). Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd. p. 11. ISBN 0-87011-893-5.

External links

• Rishirizan - Japan Meteorological Agency (in Japanese)
• "Rishirizan: National catalogue of the active volcanoes in Japan" (PDF). - Japan Meteorological Agency
• Rishiri Zan - Geological Survey of Japan
• Rishirizan: Global Volcanism Program - Smithsonian Institution