Rebun Island

photo by 663highland · CC BY 2.5

Known as the ‘island of flowers’: about 50 alpine species grow here at sea level.

From May to September, peaking between June and August, about fifty species of alpine plants that elsewhere in Japan are found only at altitude bloom along the coastal trails: on Rebun they grow at sea level. Among them is the Rebun-atsumorisō, a wild orchid that grows only on this island, which can be seen in the local botanical garden until mid-August.

The island, off the north coast of Hokkaido, owes its nickname of ‘floating island of flowers’ to a climate and latitude that allow normally alpine plants to grow right down to the coast, rather than at altitude.

ℹ️ The island is linked to Wakkanai by ferry. Check timetables and the length of the crossing on the ferry company's website.

🚉 香深港フェリーターミナル · in front of the station

Sources: north-hokkaido.com

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