Rebun Gastronomy Tour
A gastronomic adventure at the northernmost tip of Japan
Discover a different side of Japan on the island of Rebun, Hokkaido. Also known as the floating island of flowers, on Rebun you can experience a more sustainable way of enjoying a food culture which is based on the blessings of the sea, weaving together the flavors of kombu kelp, top-class uni (sea urchin) and other delights that are caught fresh off the coast. Immerse yourself in the northern panoramas and the climate of the island and get to know the region’s fishing, culinary and cultural history through the experiences of local residents.
Experience the Best of Rebun's Cuisine
This immersive tour delves into the inimitable flavors of Japan’s northernmost island and is based on two concepts.
The Connection Between Nature, Terroir and Dining:
Experience a unique BBQ featuring Rebun’s fresh, locally-caught seafood, created through collaboration between renowned chefs and the local fishermen. Savor these true terroir flavors against the backdrop of the unspoilt nature of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park.
A Gastronomy Trekking Adventure to Meet Locals:
Embark on a walking journey along the island’s famed hiking trails, with plenty of stops along the way to learn about the local culture and community. Experience the friendly fishermen bringing in the day’s catch, visit a place where kombu kelp is being dried straight from the sea, and learn how to cook some of the most beloved local cuisine. After a day of trekking in the National Park, you can spend a relaxing and peaceful evening stargazing.
Why is Rebun a Gastronomic Haven?
Rebun Island is located off the tip of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands. This private tour welcomes guests into Rebun’s rich history of trade, fishing and local traditions through dining and immersive experiences that transcend mere culinary excellence. This wonderful tour will allow you to fully appreciate the island’s terroir, and the unique connection between nature, climate and culture.
Although times have changed, the roots of Rebun’s culinary culture can be traced back 4000 years to the Jomon period, the changes and innovations made by the Okhotsk culture 1500 years ago, and the contributions of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido.
Millennia of culture and knowledge is why Rebun still thrives today, and due to the island’s unique history, contemporary lifestyle remains deeply connected to the distinctive nature of this unspoiled place.
During this tour, each culinary experience is a chance to reflect on the island’s history and look forward to a sustainable future. Discover flavors and moments of bliss on this special gastronomic tour to Japan’s unspoiled north.
Tour at a glance
Inclusions:
- Round-trip ferry between Wakkanai and Rebun Island
- Private taxi on Rebun island
- Guiding services by one English-speaking interpreter/guide and one local guide
- Rebun Island Drive with Local Guide
- Local Flavors Lunch at Kafuka
- Stargazing Tour
- Rebun Island Trekking and Brunch
- Kelp and Fishing Culture Tour
- Seafood BBQ Course Dinner in National Park
Exclusions:
- Accommodations
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Any extra à la carte orders during meals
- Optional extensions or customizations to trip
We can also provide the following options for an additional fee:
- Accommodation booking for hotels in Wakkanai and Rebun Island
- Flight booking
- Interpretation in languages other than English
Minimum number of participants
2 participants
Maximum number of participants
25 participants
Cost
From ¥200,000 + tax per person (with a minimum of 2 people)
Tour Length
4 Days, 3 Nights
Tour availability
The tour will be held during the following four dates.
1) August 17th – August 20th, 2024
2) August 20th – August 23rd, 2024
3) August 31st – September 3rd, 2024
4) September 5th – September 8th, 2024
Tour Start/End Location
Wakkanai Airport
Important notes
In the Event of Bad Weather:
Day 1: Arrival in Wakkanai, Japan's Northernmost Town
Tour Highlights
Day 1
Arrival at Wakkanai Airport, where your guide will welcome you and take you to your hotel
Check-in at your hotel in Wakkanai after which you are free to explore
Day 2: Experience the Terroir of Rebun Island
Tour Highlights
Day 2
Board ferry from Wakkanai Port and travel to Rebun Island
Rebun Island Drive with Local Guide
Local Flavors Lunch at Kafuka
Hotel check-in and free time
Dinner
Stargazing Tour
Rebun Island Drive with Local Guide
Experience unspoiled landscapes during your first day on the island, as you witness first-hand the wild beauty of the National Park, local fishing culture, the dramatic views of Mt. Rishiri and the Sea of Okhotsk. Your friendly local guide will share their knowledge about the island’s natural beauty, and it’s history, both of which are at the heart of Rebun’s terroir. Fall in love with Japan’s northernmost island and its grand landscapes.
Local Flavours Lunch at Kafuka
Experience your first taste of Rebun’s gastronomic delights with a specially prepared lunch. In addition to the exceptional and delicate taste of Rebun’s nationally renowned uni (sea urchin), you will also try Okhotsk hokke (atka mackerel), known as ‘Rebun Soul Food’. Head to the fishing port, watch the fishermen bring in their catches and then dine on the fresh, succulent seafood. In addition, you will taste how the island’s prized kombu kelp adds richness and umami to many local dishes. A true, undiluted taste of Rebun life.
Stargazing Tour
After dinner unwind and gaze up at the stars that illuminate the remote island sky. Due to the lack of light pollution on Rebun, the heavens are bright and wonderous.
Day 3: Trekking Adventure, Kelp and Fishing Culture and BBQ at the National Park
Tour Highlights
Day 3
Morning stroll in the fishing community
Breakfast at the hotel
Rebun Island Trekking and Brunch
Kelp and Fishing Culture Tour
Seafood BBQ Course Dinner at the National Park
Rebun Island Trekking and Brunch
Embark on an island trekking adventure where many of the views you will experience can only be accessed by foot. Witness rare alpine plants (found here at sea level), distinctive inlets and spectacular coastlines, the chatter of wild birds, and absorb the panoramic vistas of the island from elevated viewpoints. After a bracing hike, indulge in a special ‘fisherman’s brunch’ made specially and with local ingredients. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience that seamlessly blends adventure and gastronomy.
Kelp and Fishing Culture
Kombu kelp is a staple of Japanese food culture and is the secret ingredient to the richness of the local cuisine’s umami flavor. Such is the quality of the Rebun kelp that it is now garnering attention from food connoisseurs and chefs worldwide. Kombu harvested in Rebun is particularly prized and used at the best restaurants across Japan. Despite both the popularity and demand, many people are unfamiliar with the history of kelp harvesting and its cultural significance. We offer an interactive program that allows you to visit and chat with kombu farmers, and get special insight into the island’s fishing-based lifestyle and culinary traditions, that have been passed down over generations.
Seafood BBQ Course Dinner in National Park
The tour concludes with an unforgettable BBQ-style seafood course meal, set against the backdrop of awe-inspiring nature and the vistas of the National Park. Indulge in this unforgettable dining experience featuring the freshest locally sourced seafood, which is created through collaboration between renowned chefs and local fishermen. You will dine on expertly prepared dishes with island-inspired touches such as Nukabokke, Atke mackerel pickled in rice bran, and konbu-marinated delicacies. To accompany your meal, sample cocktails made from Hokkaido crimson glory vine juice, local sake and wine. A true showcase of the harmony of flavors that are unique to this region.
Day 4: Farewell to Rebun Island
Tour Highlights
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel
Check out and board the return ferry
Arrival at Wakkanai Airport and catch a return flight
Reservations
You can send a booking inquiry below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm if we can accommodate your group and tour dates and contact you from there.
Cancellation Policy
Our cancellation policy for this tour is below. Cancellation fees may vary according to exceptional circumstances.
21 days or more before date of tour
No penalty
20 days to 8 days before date of tour
20% of total price
7 days to 2 days before date of tour
30% of total price
1 day before date of tour
40% of total price
Day of the tour
50% of total price
After start of tour or no-show
100% of total price
