Mount Rishiri

Mount Rishiri
Mount Rishiri seen from Otadomari-numa
Elevation	1,721 m (5,646 ft)
Prominence	1,721 m (5,646 ft)
Listing	List of mountains and hills of Japan by height List of the 100 famous mountains in Japan List of volcanoes in Japan
Location
Location	Hokkaidō, Japan
Range	Rishiri Island
Coordinates	45°11′N 141°15′E / 45.18°N 141.25°E / 45.18; 141.25
Topo map	Geographical Survey Institute 25000:1 鴛泊 25000:1 雄忠志内 50000:1
Geology
Type	Stratovolcano
Age of rock	Late Pleistocene
Volcanic arc/belt	Sakhalin island arc
Last eruption	5830 BC ± 300 years
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Mount Rishiri (利尻山, Rishiri-zan) is a quaternary^[1] stratovolcano located off the coast of Hokkaidō, Japan in the Sea of Japan. The extinct volcano rises out of the sea 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's opening festival is held annually on July 2 and July 3. This festival officially opens the climbing season.^[2]

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.^[1]

Climbing route

The ascent of Rishiri is suitable for novice hikers, but can be 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.

Gallery

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  Rishiri Island from Rebun

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  The summit of Mt. Rishiri taken from just below

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Seamless Digital Geological Map of Japan". The Geological Survey of Japan. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. 2 November 2007. http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/db084/index_e.html. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
2. ^ Hunt, Paul (1988). Hiking in Japan: An Adventurer's Guide to the Mountain Trails (First edition ed.). Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd.. p. 11. ISBN 0-87011-893-5. 

• Global Volcanism Program