Times listed are the timetable at the time of visit.
Day 1
Tokyo Haneda 1035 (All Nippon Airways ANA 571) >> Wakkanai 1225
Wakkanai Airport 1235 (Soya Bus) >> Wakkanai Ferry Terminal 1310
Wakkanai Port 1445 (Heartland Ferry) >> Kafuka Port, Rebun Island 1640
Overnight stay: Hana-Rebun
Tips for Day 1
– Rebun Island is a very expensive place to stay during the peak season. Normal business times are limited only about half of the year or less, and the flower season is even shorter. All prices seem to be high on the Island, but such pricing is probably unavoidable owing its location. Since it was not fun to pay high rate to ordinary hotels, I booked the best lodging I could find. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and above all, the food is delicious.
Day 2
– Tour around Rebun Island by rental car
Tips for Day 2
– I could not find a rental car on the web at all, rental cars in Rebun seemed to be not connected to main reservation system. I called the local office to make a reservation. At first, a car was available only for the second day, but when I called again at the last minute, I was able to rent a car until the noon of the third day. If I could not make car arrangements on the Island, I might be able to rent a car in Wakkanai and bring it to the Island on the ferry (?)
– I am not a fan of driving, so I was wondering whether I should rent a car or not. However, Rebun Island is not a small island and there are many ups and downs. For a short stay mainly for photography, a car would be very convenient. It would be possible to get around the island by regular sightseeing buses or by local buses plus walking, but it would be extremely difficult to match the timing of the bus schedule with the blue sky.
Day 3
– Tour around Rebun Island by rental car
Kafuka Port, Rebun Island 1325 (Heartland Ferry) >> Wakkanai Ferry Terminal 1615
Wakkanai 1744 (JR Express Soya) >> Sapporo 2257
Tips for Day 3
– It takes about 5 hours from Wakkanai to Sapporo by express train. The right side of the Soya Main Line from Wakkanai had a better view.
Day 4
Sapporo 0550 (Rapid Airport 50) >> Shin-Chitose Airport 0628
Sapporo Shin-Chitose 0730 (ANA 050) >> Tokyo Haneda 0905
Tips for Day 4
– About my mysterious stay in Sapporo: If the ferry was on the summer schedule, I was able to use Hokkaido Air Commuter, a Japan Airlines affiliate, from Rishiri Airport to Sapporo Okadama Airport then move to New Chitose Airport to catch direct flight to Tokyo Haneda. Alternatively, ANA had Wakkanai / New Chitose flight which connects to Tokyo Haneda flight. This time, the ferry was on the spring schedule due to COVID-19, so I could not connect to the bus to the airport on Rishiri Island (I could not book a taxi either) nor connection seemed tight from the Ferry Terminal to the Airport in Wakkanai.